Front End Parts - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mvfd70 · 08-01-2009, 11:00 AM

I may have the chance at a 1991 chevy truck for cheap. I want the drive train and seat out of it. I was wondering if anything from the front end will work on my 68. I know the front end from a suburban from that year would work but I was wondering what the difference is in a truck. Thanks

**mr48chev** · 08-01-2009, 11:14 AM

I'm pretty sure that if you wanted to use the front end pieces off the 91 you would have use the complete suspension and crossmember. I've never knowingly seen the later pieces installed on an early truck and have no idea what modifications and fabricating is involved.

If I was going to buy the 91 anyhow I'd pull the front clips off both trucks and start measuring with them sitting side by side.
You may decide it's an easy swap and then again you may decide that there is no way you can make it work.

I've never had my nose under a two wheel drive 91 and actually studied the suspension to see if it will work.

I think the first order of business is measure the width of the frames at the crossmember and see how close they are.

dave2953 · 08-01-2009, 07:58 PM

The 73-87 trucks can be used to swap front ends and Suburbans include these same years plus 88-91. Starting in 88, the truck's front suspension used an integrated crossmember, and I believe the control arms are welded to the frame. They are vastly different from the 73-87 front ends. I'm not saying it wouldn't work, but it would take a helluva lot more work. Someone please correct me if I am incorrect with any of this.

hugger6933 · 08-01-2009, 09:13 PM

The parts will not work. unless, you use a 68 3/4 lower control arm ball joints for a 91. Then you can use the spindle, caliper, and also a 6 lug rotor.[ The light duty 3/4 ton of that year had 6 lugs and used the same spindle as the1/2 ton]. thats what my plan is to put 6 lug disks on my 68 GMC. jim

mvfd70 · 08-01-2009, 09:41 PM

Ahh...well i was not sure what the difference was. I've read where the suburban parts up through early 90's were the same as trucks from the 80's but was not sure what was different on the trucks. Thanks for the replies. Depends on price but i may pass this one.

08-01-2009, 11:00 AM	#1
mvfd70 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Opdyke, IL Posts: 775	Front End Parts I may have the chance at a 1991 chevy truck for cheap. I want the drive train and seat out of it. I was wondering if anything from the front end will work on my 68. I know the front end from a suburban from that year would work but I was wondering what the difference is in a truck. Thanks __________________ 1978 Chevrolet Silverado 3/4 ton 400 small block. 2000 F-250 Powerstroke 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL

08-01-2009, 11:14 AM	#2
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,731	Re: Front End Parts I'm pretty sure that if you wanted to use the front end pieces off the 91 you would have use the complete suspension and crossmember. I've never knowingly seen the later pieces installed on an early truck and have no idea what modifications and fabricating is involved. If I was going to buy the 91 anyhow I'd pull the front clips off both trucks and start measuring with them sitting side by side. You may decide it's an easy swap and then again you may decide that there is no way you can make it work. I've never had my nose under a two wheel drive 91 and actually studied the suspension to see if it will work. I think the first order of business is measure the width of the frames at the crossmember and see how close they are.

08-01-2009, 07:58 PM	#3
dave2953 Dave's not here, man Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Winder, Georgia Posts: 2,000	Re: Front End Parts The 73-87 trucks can be used to swap front ends and Suburbans include these same years plus 88-91. Starting in 88, the truck's front suspension used an integrated crossmember, and I believe the control arms are welded to the frame. They are vastly different from the 73-87 front ends. I'm not saying it wouldn't work, but it would take a helluva lot more work. Someone please correct me if I am incorrect with any of this. __________________ - 2014 VW Jetta - 2015 VW Jetta - 1966 Ford F-250

08-01-2009, 09:13 PM	#4
hugger6933 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Marianna Arkansas Posts: 7,280	Re: Front End Parts The parts will not work. unless, you use a 68 3/4 lower control arm ball joints for a 91. Then you can use the spindle, caliper, and also a 6 lug rotor.[ The light duty 3/4 ton of that year had 6 lugs and used the same spindle as the1/2 ton]. thats what my plan is to put 6 lug disks on my 68 GMC. jim

08-01-2009, 09:41 PM	#5
mvfd70 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Opdyke, IL Posts: 775	Re: Front End Parts Ahh...well i was not sure what the difference was. I've read where the suburban parts up through early 90's were the same as trucks from the 80's but was not sure what was different on the trucks. Thanks for the replies. Depends on price but i may pass this one. __________________ 1978 Chevrolet Silverado 3/4 ton 400 small block. 2000 F-250 Powerstroke 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL



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