School me on front crossmember swaps

[highwater86]

Originally Posted by 63sbssbbw

Speaking of x-m swaps
Anyone have torque specs for xm to frame bolts??
Thanks
T

I was planning on putting about 3 grunts on each bolt. That's about 120ft/lbs
LOL....

[raycow]

Originally Posted by likaroc13

when rebuilding, what all stock parts do people typically replace?

Look at the usual wear parts, like ball joints and control arm bushings. If you are using the steering linkage from the donor truck, check the tie rod ends and idler arm too. Lastly, you could look at the wheel bearings, but the roller type last almost forever if they have been kept lubed and adjusted correctly.

I am not saying to automatically replace all these parts, but rather to inspect them first for wear or damage. It is entirely possible that some of them have already been replaced by a PO and will be in good shape.

Ray

[robzilla]

sorry for high jacking an old thread, but looking to take off the front end of a 71 and use it on my 69. tried to find info on the swap, but only found swaps for 73 and up. any insight on these year swaps?

thanks
rob

[raycow]

71-72 front ends will certainly swap and you still get the same brakes. The only downside is that some of the parts cost more to replace and you have to grease the control arm bushings at specified intervals. That's 8 more grease points, and you have to clean up all the grease that oozes out, or else the front end gets really yucky looking after a while. 73-up have rubber bushings which require no maintenance over their lifetime.

Ray

[scum1]

im also not trying to hijack here, but im confused about swapping these cross members. is it only to switch to disc brakes and 5 lug wheels?? im looking at a stock 66 c10 and want to put disc brakes drop spindles etc..would a cpp type kit that comes with full disc brakes and spindles go directly on, or do you Need to swap the crossmembers still..im trying to learn all these mods still. thanks

[raycow]

Originally Posted by scum1

im looking at a stock 66 c10 and want to put disc brakes drop spindles etc..would a cpp type kit that comes with full disc brakes and spindles go directly on, or do you Need to swap the crossmembers still..

No, if you get the aftermarket spindles you won't need to swap the crossmember. Those spindles bolt to your stock ball joints and tie rods.

The crossmember swap is done to save money over the aftermarket parts, because you can get everything you need from a donor truck. Also, you don't really need to swap the whole front end. You can get by with as little as the later balljoints and steering linkage. A lot of people will also swap the control arms and shafts to get the 73-up bushings which don't need greasing.

Ray

[sharkskinman]

Reviving this thread with a questions!!??

65 stepside 6 lug 3.73
Whole truck would obviously be beneficial .. Whole front end different rear end all small parts
73-up whole cross member will swap in front with minor hole modification
Benefits are discs, 5 lug, rubber bushings, more aftermarket parts
It's said u can just use A arms out

My questions..
73 up to what year.. Best year to use?
Any 6cyl motor mount modification??
Wouldn't it be mechanically less work to just prop engine and swap out whole cross member and easier to align?
being parts are in geometry with themselves rather than many replaced parts?

Rear ends..
Will the rear end of matched year fit w/out mods?

Couple trucks local for cheap enough..(altho usually 88 and above)
Figuring on maybe 750-800$ from rolling frame to whole truck

[rcnutt]

Im in fair oaks and have a 77 doner for sale if your interested

[Captainfab]

If your engine is already out, I would just switch the entire suspension, crossmember and all. It's just one hole on each side to drill and one to elongate.

If you do not plan to remove your engine, then just switch the control arms and out. That is if you want the rubber bushings. If you do this, I recommend upgrading to the larger diameter '73 and up lower control arm shaft u-bolts.

The only 5 x 5" wheel stud differential that will be a direct bolt in swap is a '71-'72 12 bolt. A '73-'82 12 bolt or '79-'87 10 bolt will require cutting and welding to remove the leaf spring pads and shock mounts, and install the trailing arm mounts and a panhard bar mount.

Most of the time I say to use the '73-'87 parts, but the '73-'86 C10's and the '87-'91 R1500's are the same. The one difference to be aware of is the light duty 1" thick rotors versus the 1.250" thick rotors.

Originally Posted by sharkskinman

Reviving this thread with a questions!!??

65 stepside 6 lug 3.73
Whole truck would obviously be beneficial .. Whole front end different rear end all small parts
73-up whole cross member will swap in front with minor hole modification
Benefits are discs, 5 lug, rubber bushings, more aftermarket parts
It's said u can just use A arms out

My questions..
73 up to what year.. Best year to use?
Any 6cyl motor mount modification??
Wouldn't it be mechanically less work to just prop engine and swap out whole cross member and easier to align?
being parts are in geometry with themselves rather than many replaced parts?

Rear ends..
Will the rear end of matched year fit w/out mods?

Couple trucks local for cheap enough..(altho usually 88 and above)
Figuring on maybe 750-800$ from rolling frame to whole truck

[Horribilis]

Any lowering advantages to doing this X-member swap? I have seen that many guys are going 2.5" lower in the front...do you get that automatically form this swap or is the height exactly the same as the stocker front?

If it does not lower the front...any benefit to doing this swap only to then need after market drop spindles?

[C10_ustacould]

I swapped a '73 and up crossmember into my '68 stepside and I wouldn't do it again. The main reason is the '73-'87 parts will bolt to the existing crossmember, so why swap it? The other reason is brake line and brake hose mounting tabs. The pre-'73 crossmebers have them behind the crossmember and companies like Early Classic Enterprises (ECE) have conversion brake hoses that work well. A '73 and later crossmember will require you to fabricate or locate your own mounting position/tabs. Personally I would use the suspension and steering from a '73 to '85 donor because in '86 they went to metric fittings and such, but anything from '73 to '87 will work as long as you buy all replacement parts for the year of the donor.

[Horribilis]

So am I hearing that the best route to go is to swap just a-arms out from a 72-86 rig, convert to discuss brakes, etc. And then find some aftermarket drop spindles for the 72-86 stuff if lowering is part of the goal?

[copenter1]

I have a '65 Chevy C 10 that I want to convert to front disc brakes. I have located an '83 3/4 ton 2 wheel drive. Can I use the cross member and lower arms etc. ? Would I just have to get 6 lug rotors and use the 1/2 ton coils off of my '65?

I would appreciate any help I can get on this. Thanks

[Chevy Fleetside]

Originally Posted by copenter1

I have a '65 Chevy C 10 that I want to convert to front disc brakes. I have located an '83 3/4 ton 2 wheel drive. Can I use the cross member and lower arms etc. ? Would I just have to get 6 lug rotors and use the 1/2 ton coils off of my '65?

I would appreciate any help I can get on this. Thanks

you can do this also

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...isc+brake+swap

[Captainfab]

There is absolutely nothing to gain in switching to parts from a '83 C20. The '83 C20 is 8 lug. You can not just install 6 lug rotors on those spindles. The '83 also has steel control arm bushings just like your '65 C10.

Originally Posted by copenter1

I have a '65 Chevy C 10 that I want to convert to front disc brakes. I have located an '83 3/4 ton 2 wheel drive. Can I use the cross member and lower arms etc. ? Would I just have to get 6 lug rotors and use the 1/2 ton coils off of my '65?

I would appreciate any help I can get on this. Thanks

[copenter1]

Thanks for your reply Captainfab.

[otsenre]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

There is absolutely nothing to gain in switching to parts from a '83 C20. The '83 C20 is 8 lug. You can not just install 6 lug rotors on those spindles. The '83 also has steel control arm bushings just like your '65 C10.

I have a junk 80 chevy 1/2 ton, If I am reading all this correctly, I can swap entire front crossmember, rear differential, brakes, power steering (just needing adapter) to a 63 1/2 ton. Is this correct?

[64 rust]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

If your engine is already out, I would just switch the entire suspension, crossmember and all. It's just one hole on each side to drill and one to elongate.

If you do not plan to remove your engine, then just switch the control arms and out. That is if you want the rubber bushings. If you do this, I recommend upgrading to the larger diameter '73 and up lower control arm shaft u-bolts.

The only 5 x 5" wheel stud differential that will be a direct bolt in swap is a '71-'72 12 bolt. A '73-'82 12 bolt or '79-'87 10 bolt will require cutting and welding to remove the leaf spring pads and shock mounts, and install the trailing arm mounts and a panhard bar mount.

Most of the time I say to use the '73-'87 parts, but the '73-'86 C10's and the '87-'91 R1500's are the same. The one difference to be aware of is the light duty 1" thick rotors versus the 1.250" thick rotors.

= gold

[Captainfab]

That is correct.

You'll need trailing arm mounts for the differential. I make those as well as the steering box adapter plate and a booster bracket.

Originally Posted by otsenre

I have a junk 80 chevy 1/2 ton, If I am reading all this correctly, I can swap entire front crossmember, rear differential, brakes, power steering (just needing adapter) to a 63 1/2 ton. Is this correct?

[otsenre]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

That is correct.

You'll need trailing arm mounts for the differential. I make those as well as the steering box adapter plate and a booster bracket.

can I see pic of these items and price shipped to 80910 Thanks

[Captainfab]

There are links to half of my for sale threads in my sig line.

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=620836

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=339081

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=332923

If you purchase multiple items, I can combine shipping.

Originally Posted by otsenre

can I see pic of these items and price shipped to 80910 Thanks

[otsenre]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

There are links to half of my for sale threads in my sig line.

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=620836

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=339081

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=332923

If you purchase multiple items, I can combine shipping.

I am all in on these 3 items, send me your info and total$ thank you

[Captainfab]

I'll send you a PM with pricing and payment info.

Originally Posted by otsenre

I am all in on these 3 items, send me your info and total$ thank you

[otsenre]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

I'll send you a PM with pricing and payment info.

I think I can make mine work, so just send the 3 items requested, thank you. PP payment on its way

[Wpak]

Shoot this out here and see what happens, I have a 1986 3/4 -1 ton Chevy van that I was looking underneath and it looked like the cross member engine mounts and front A frames are all one unit. I happen to have this 1950 1-ton truck, underneath looks like it might work a swap shimming/ drilling?
Anyone done this?