advantage of useing 73-87 front member ? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

fnoblitt · 01-15-2007, 02:55 PM

i have a 70 c-10 and was thinking of going to the 73-87 front x member to get the disc brakes and power steering. i see they have rubber control arm bushings instead of the metal ones i have now. does that give it a better ride? are there any other differances that are better than the 70 ?

**raggedjim** · 01-15-2007, 03:04 PM

First of all is availability. The 73-87 can be found everywhere.

Second of all, you can buy drop spindles and drop coils for the 73-87 cheaper than the 71-72.

Only downside is you will have to work on the mounting holes a bit.

Good luck, Rg

fnoblitt · 01-15-2007, 03:34 PM

is the ride the same?

jimmydean · 01-15-2007, 03:36 PM

I doubt there is a huge difference in ride. But the parts availability is key. The pure number of truck made from 67-72 vs. 73-87 (even if you go back to 63) is what makes the swap so popular.

fnoblitt · 01-15-2007, 03:44 PM

i figured it would be an easy way to get the disc brakes and power steering if nothing else. wolud there be any issues in hooking up the power steering ? or does everything just bolt up ?

jimmydean · 01-15-2007, 04:05 PM

I pulled the motor and steering box out of a '75 and the box bolted right up. I even mounted the old box in the '75 to make it mobile.

On the '69, I had to notch the bumper bracket to clear the box and I cut a little off the inner fender to clear the hoses, but I don't think you have to do either on a 70.

SCOTI · 01-15-2007, 05:12 PM

Yes, there is a slight difference in the ride. Both of my swb trucks are lowered using basically the same methods yet the newer 74 rides a little nicer. The 74 has the rubber bushings vs. the rubber-lined steel bushings on the 68.

Availability is the main reason. It's much easier to find replacement parts for 73~87 (& typically cheaper too). You don't have to swap the entire crossmember over if you're rebuilding the front end. Just swap over the a-arms, sway bar, & steering related gear.

**LockDoc** · 01-15-2007, 05:48 PM

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Here are the holes I had to modify to put the later model front end in my '70...

LockDoc

gringoloco · 01-16-2007, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raggedjim

First of all is availability. The 73-87 can be found everywhere.

Second of all, you can buy drop spindles and drop coils for the 73-87 cheaper than the 71-72.

Only downside is you will have to work on the mounting holes a bit.

Good luck, Rg

Newer 'clamshell' engine mounts too...

Brad · 01-16-2007, 09:59 AM

I would agree with everything that's been mentioned. Long story short- I hate the old screwstyle control arm shafts and ended up stripping threads on a brand new set. I decided after that to just go with the newer rubber style and haven't looked back!

01-15-2007, 02:55 PM	#1
fnoblitt Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: southern calif.,usa Posts: 200	advantage of useing 73-87 front member ? i have a 70 c-10 and was thinking of going to the 73-87 front x member to get the disc brakes and power steering. i see they have rubber control arm bushings instead of the metal ones i have now. does that give it a better ride? are there any other differances that are better than the 70 ? __________________ 70 c10 stepside ,350v8, m-20 4 speed

01-15-2007, 03:04 PM	#2
raggedjim Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Murray, Kentucky Posts: 3,541	Re: advantage of useing 73-87 front member ? First of all is availability. The 73-87 can be found everywhere. Second of all, you can buy drop spindles and drop coils for the 73-87 cheaper than the 71-72. Only downside is you will have to work on the mounting holes a bit. Good luck, Rg __________________ Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=856475 '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203 Ideas - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=851743

01-15-2007, 03:34 PM	#3
fnoblitt Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: southern calif.,usa Posts: 200	Re: advantage of useing 73-87 front member ? is the ride the same? __________________ 70 c10 stepside ,350v8, m-20 4 speed

01-15-2007, 03:36 PM	#4
jimmydean Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 3,728	Re: advantage of useing 73-87 front member ? I doubt there is a huge difference in ride. But the parts availability is key. The pure number of truck made from 67-72 vs. 73-87 (even if you go back to 63) is what makes the swap so popular.

01-15-2007, 03:44 PM	#5
fnoblitt Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: southern calif.,usa Posts: 200	Re: advantage of useing 73-87 front member ? i figured it would be an easy way to get the disc brakes and power steering if nothing else. wolud there be any issues in hooking up the power steering ? or does everything just bolt up ? __________________ 70 c10 stepside ,350v8, m-20 4 speed

01-15-2007, 04:05 PM	#6
jimmydean Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 3,728	Re: advantage of useing 73-87 front member ? I pulled the motor and steering box out of a '75 and the box bolted right up. I even mounted the old box in the '75 to make it mobile. On the '69, I had to notch the bumper bracket to clear the box and I cut a little off the inner fender to clear the hoses, but I don't think you have to do either on a 70.

01-15-2007, 05:12 PM	#7
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,080	Re: advantage of useing 73-87 front member ? Yes, there is a slight difference in the ride. Both of my swb trucks are lowered using basically the same methods yet the newer 74 rides a little nicer. The 74 has the rubber bushings vs. the rubber-lined steel bushings on the 68. Availability is the main reason. It's much easier to find replacement parts for 73~87 (& typically cheaper too). You don't have to swap the entire crossmember over if you're rebuilding the front end. Just swap over the a-arms, sway bar, & steering related gear. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.* Last edited by SCOTI; 01-15-2007 at 05:13 PM.

01-15-2007, 05:48 PM	#8
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,853	Re: advantage of useing 73-87 front member ? - Here are the holes I had to modify to put the later model front end in my '70... LockDoc Attached Images __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 -

01-16-2007, 09:59 AM	#10
Brad Out of the carpool lane. Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Clark Co, WA Posts: 5,672	Re: advantage of useing 73-87 front member ? I would agree with everything that's been mentioned. Long story short- I hate the old screwstyle control arm shafts and ended up stripping threads on a brand new set. I decided after that to just go with the newer rubber style and haven't looked back! __________________ 1968 C-10 SWB, 5.7 Vortec/700R4/3.73 posi, Torch Red 1968 Camaro, 250/Powerglide, all original (No, I'm not gonna drop a 350 in it!...Jeez!) 2000 Honda VFR in the faster yellow! 2008 Husqvarna TE-610 1967 C-10 SWB 'Six Appeal'-Gone but not forgotten...



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