Rebuilding 71 crossmember..

[oldblue1968chevy]

Any tips tricks etc

So far I have collected..

-2.5" Western drop spindles
-Kyb drop shocks (P/N from here)
-Brake pads (summit house brand, is there something better etc??)
-1 stock replacement rotor
-Bearings

It has the factory swaybar 1 1/16" Id like to upgrade to a larger one..

Plans are to disassemble sandblast and put back together with Moog or similaiar front suspension parts. Im going with PS, not looking for dropping alot of $ but dont want to skimp. Looking for a list or something with P/N.

I saw ECE has a package but maybe would it be cheaper to go thru someone else for the same stuff?...

Recommendations for sway bar (Pretty sure my 68 bar came off a 1 ton) Need to upgrade my acct back to blue sometime soon.

Thanks guys any info is appreciated.

[oldblue1968chevy]

Also Im cutting the trailign arm crossmember for exhaust cutouts, should I weld a pipe in there for re enforcemtn?

[oldblue1968chevy]

also whats the best paint and what options do I have?..

bed liner
spray paint
powdercoat (this is out for $)
tractor paint
rustoleum
por15
summit frame paint
eastwood frame paint

Thanks

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

.

Recommendations for sway bar (Pretty sure my 68 bar came off a 1 ton)

Have you had this sway bar on already or plan to put it on? Almost everyone I know that runs the HD factory bar is pleased with the results. Of course that includes new bushing and usually coincides with a rebuilt front suspension.

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

Also Im cutting the trailign arm crossmember for exhaust cutouts, should I weld a pipe in there for re enforcemtn?

That seems to be the most common way to do it. I would use the same method myself.

[jimmydean]

I use POR15 for a lot of stuff, so much so I got a dealer account to save money. I also do my own powdercoating because it is cheap to do and durable. Built my own oven, started with the crappy Eastwood HotCoat gun, then upgraded to a pro style gun.

I painted my brake calipers with POR15 just for fun.

[oldblue1968chevy]

The 1 ton bar is on my blue 68 lwb.

My 69 swb has a factory 1/2 ton sway bar. Is it worthwhile to look for a thicker 1 ton or aftermarket bar (of course new bushings too)?

Can I POR 15 bare raw metal? Can I use por 15 on calipers/rotors with the high amounts of heat?

Thanks

What other things can I do to help handling/performance on a budget (mostly stock front)

Planning on cutting the rivits on the trialing arms and sandblasting insides then welding the seam up and grade 8 bolts in place of rivits

[cdowns]

if you are using drop spindles with stock springs the drop shocks are not needed are probally wont work properly

[oldblue1968chevy]

Im planning on cutting the front stock springs or getting a 2" drop spring

Somewhere between 4-5" front drop. I like rake but not sure if I want so much rake that its too much to drive..

[oldblue1968chevy]

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-D52-728A

These are the pads I ordered...I dont wanna spend a fortune on stuff but dont want to wish that I would've bought different stuff etc

Is there something better? He said Id have to go with a drilled/slotted rotor for a higher quality pad?..

Thanks

[eldogg]

I use Raybestos brake and chassis parts exclusively. I think ECE does too. I think it's the best stuff on the market. I would find a 1 ton sway bar for sure. U pull it style junk yards are full of them. Enjoy.
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[LEX]

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

Also Im cutting the trailign arm crossmember for exhaust cutouts, should I weld a pipe in there for re enforcemtn?

Did you end up welding a reinforcement?

I 'm curious on this as well and am wondering if it is a must to reinforce it after drilling through them.

[oldblue1968chevy]

What front shocks do I need for 2" drop spring or cut front shocks (thinking about a 3.5" or so front drop combined with spindles)

I have ECE front shocks (dropped) but thinking maybe something else woudl work better?..

[Tx Firefighter]

I'd just use the same ECE shocks you have now. They're probably the silver KYB GR-2s. They always ride great for me whether I'm running cut front coils or lowered front coils.

[oldblue1968chevy]

I found the P/N online its supposed to be the same shock ece has for their drop kits

Im all about saving $. Will cutting the coils be the same effect (ride etc) as $100 dropped springs?

thansk

[outlawz916]

cutting coils is just fine, just cut one full round out of the coils and your set.

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by outlawz916

cutting coils is just fine, just cut one full round out of the coils and your set.

Agree.

[oldblue1968chevy]

thats what I did on my ol blue truck but going to try to do this one nicer better etc

Still need:
Suspension rebuild stuff (balljoints tie rods etc)

Also, I dont have any (or much) of the steering stuff tierod ends to pitman arm. Should I just order new stuff?

Is there a list with P/N or anything for rebuild components for a 71 72 chevy 2wd 1/2ton?

right now I just have the small swaybar debating going with a larger one if I can find it..

[2ndstoryslam]

I scored a complete front-end rebuild kit off the 'bay for a little over $200. http://www.ebay.com/itm/1973-1974-19...item4abe3e0b3f http://www.ebay.com/itm/1971-1972-CH...item564e8b37fb

[oldblue1968chevy]

do you know what brand or usa or china?

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

do you know what brand or usa or china?

You'd be hard pressed to buy just the ball joints in an American made source for that money. I recently completely rebuilt a suspension with all top of the line stuff and had way over 500 dollars worth of Moog parts in the job.

I'm kind of a snob when it comes to using top quality parts though. Quality first, price is second priority to me.
Posted via Mobile Device

[oldblue1968chevy]

I figured it was china etc

If im going to build it the way I want, Im taking my time and doing it how I want

Thanks for the imput txfirefighter your full of knowledge (good knowlege that is) lol

[Street Smart]

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

I found the P/N online its supposed to be the same shock ece has for their drop kits

Im all about saving $. Will cutting the coils be the same effect (ride etc) as $100 dropped springs?

thansk

What part numbers did you come up with for the shocks, if you don`t mind.

[oldblue1968chevy]

If you get ece's 4.5/6 drop kit...the shocks are kyb 344068 and 344055. You can get those 1/2 price via amazon or ebay

I got mine thru summitracing, about 25 each

[Street Smart]

kool, thanks.

[BMERDOC]

Do the Caster Mod!

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=501241