Front Suspension on a '69 - Your Opinion Please - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bluec10 · 01-04-2007, 09:00 PM

So, here are my options:

1. Replace the entire front suspension of my '69 GMC with the front suspension from an '84. I have the parts, including the new ball joints. The later suspensions have better (?) control arm bushings and I have a power steering setup for the '84 setup.

2. Keep the original '69 front suspension. I put new ball joints in it a while ago and the truck is very low mileage, so wear and tear isn't an issue. I want power steering, so I'd have to scrounge some parts (unless my '84 PS unit will fit).

I'm on the fence, with some preference for the switch to the '84. What do you guys think?

jimmydean · 01-04-2007, 11:39 PM

Switching to the '84 would make parts easier to come by. You have to swap all the steering to make it easy, but it's the best option. I have had a hell of a time getting ball joints for my '69, but everyone has '73+ parts on the shelf.

GlennBrittain · 01-05-2007, 12:51 PM

The 84 power steering box will bolt right up, however the rag joint fitting for the 84 box is a different size. Use the power steering box side of the 84 rag joint on your 69 shaft.

bluec10 · 01-06-2007, 09:44 PM

The dream is to put a tilt column in the truck. I've got a van tilt column awaiting the glorious day.

01-04-2007, 09:00 PM	#1
bluec10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 663	Front Suspension on a '69 - Your Opinion Please So, here are my options: 1. Replace the entire front suspension of my '69 GMC with the front suspension from an '84. I have the parts, including the new ball joints. The later suspensions have better (?) control arm bushings and I have a power steering setup for the '84 setup. 2. Keep the original '69 front suspension. I put new ball joints in it a while ago and the truck is very low mileage, so wear and tear isn't an issue. I want power steering, so I'd have to scrounge some parts (unless my '84 PS unit will fit). I'm on the fence, with some preference for the switch to the '84. What do you guys think? __________________ Present: 2015 Tacoma. Yeah, not a GM, but I love it. 1969 GMC 32,000 - fix, drive, relax, fix... 2019 BMW R1250 GSA - Yahoooooooo 1979 Honda GL 1000 - retro touring at its best. Past: '05 Sierra 4x4 - Had 270,000 KM and running well when it was written-off by a stop sign runner. '94 F-150 from the "F word" company. I'll admit it...good truck. Sold what was left of it for $800 to a guy who came to pick it up at 11:00 PM with cash in hand. Hmm. '79 Sierra Grande (Black) organ donor - perfect rebuildable 4-bolt 350 and a good TH350. '76 Sierra Grande (Orange) - hate isn't too strong a word. Kid who bought it turned it into a hot rod. '68 C-10 R.I.P. - Dad's old truck...too far gone to resurrect. '59 C-50 - with hoist. Truck is gone, wife isn't. Nuff said.

01-04-2007, 11:39 PM	#2
jimmydean Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 3,728	Re: Front Suspension on a '69 - Your Opinion Please Switching to the '84 would make parts easier to come by. You have to swap all the steering to make it easy, but it's the best option. I have had a hell of a time getting ball joints for my '69, but everyone has '73+ parts on the shelf.

01-05-2007, 12:51 PM	#3
GlennBrittain Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Panola County Texas Posts: 401	Re: Front Suspension on a '69 - Your Opinion Please The 84 power steering box will bolt right up, however the rag joint fitting for the 84 box is a different size. Use the power steering box side of the 84 rag joint on your 69 shaft.

01-06-2007, 09:44 PM	#4
bluec10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 663	Re: Front Suspension on a '69 - Your Opinion Please The dream is to put a tilt column in the truck. I've got a van tilt column awaiting the glorious day. __________________ Present: 2015 Tacoma. Yeah, not a GM, but I love it. 1969 GMC 32,000 - fix, drive, relax, fix... 2019 BMW R1250 GSA - Yahoooooooo 1979 Honda GL 1000 - retro touring at its best. Past: '05 Sierra 4x4 - Had 270,000 KM and running well when it was written-off by a stop sign runner. '94 F-150 from the "F word" company. I'll admit it...good truck. Sold what was left of it for $800 to a guy who came to pick it up at 11:00 PM with cash in hand. Hmm. '79 Sierra Grande (Black) organ donor - perfect rebuildable 4-bolt 350 and a good TH350. '76 Sierra Grande (Orange) - hate isn't too strong a word. Kid who bought it turned it into a hot rod. '68 C-10 R.I.P. - Dad's old truck...too far gone to resurrect. '59 C-50 - with hoist. Truck is gone, wife isn't. Nuff said.



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