Cross member swap 63 C20 - questions

[Asshat]

I got the old one out!

Noticed the brake lines run a bit different than the newer trucks, like the 74 C20 cross member that I’m installing.

Can someone show how they routed their lines? On the old one it’s on the back, and the 74 looks like it’s routed through the front. On the cross member for the 74 it does not have any mounts for the end of the brake hoses. Any help would be appreciated.

[Asshat]

For example, do the ends of the brake hoses mount to a bracket, or do they just connect to the end of the brake line?

[SkinnyG]

On the square, the ends of the hoses attach through the frame.

[kaycee]

There is an elongated hole that you use to attch the rubber brake line on the frame the inside of frame goes to hard brake line. The brake line routing kind of depends on what you are running I took the whole brake line from the master cyl. to under the cab. so it will run like my donor susp. Seems to be more effort to run it the stock way .

[Asshat]

Ok. That helps.
Thanks guys!

I think I have that hole in my frame. Once I get the cross member installed, I will run brake lines.

[Asshat]

Do you need to elongate the holes in the frame? The bolts that came of the 63 are the same size as the 74.
Are the hole locations different?

[kaycee]

I just swaped my a-arms on my 63 , on my 69 C-10 I had to elongate 1 hole on each side if I remember correctly

[Asshat]

Got it bolted in place, just need to drill two holes a bit larger.

[64shortbox]

Not 100% sure about a C-20 but on my 64 C-10 I ended up using EVERYTHING from the 73 donor truck even the hard brake lines. It only took very slight tweaking to make the lines work. Scroll down to post number 23 & 24 to see pics.

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...ght=64shortbox

[Asshat]

Anyone know where to get the brake hose nut? It secures the hose to the frame.

[Asshat]

Originally Posted by Asshat

Anyone know where to get the brake hose nut? It secures the hose to the frame.

I think they’re called stamped nuts or panel nuts? Did not see any at O’Reilly.
They go on the ends of the brake hose lines.

[SkinnyG]

A panel nut is quite thin.

A jam nut is less thin, maybe 1/2 to 2/3 the width of a regular nut.

I'm sure a regular nut would fit, or lathe/sand/grind it down.

There isn't anything really special about the nut.

... Could always venture out the junk yard for nuts.

[Steeveedee]

There is supposed to be a u-shaped retaining spring (looks like 3/4 of a square washer) holding the hose end into the mounting bracket.

[Asshat]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

There is supposed to be a u-shaped retaining spring (looks like 3/4 of a square washer) holding the hose end into the mounting bracket.

I know what you’re referring to; but not in this case.
I actually found a couple.

[Steeveedee]

Interesting. What year is that frame? OK, I see it's a '74. That probably changed on square bodies, which I am less familiar with.

[notsolo]

Did you get the brake booster and prop valve with your cross member?....I added both from donor, on my 62....83 cross member, prop valve is down low in front of cross member.