Suspension Swap - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

lo72 · 10-15-2008, 06:10 AM

I've read numerous post regarding the swapping the front suspension with just the matter of drilling a few holes and whiz bang there we are new and improved stuff from the 80s....My question is what is the benefit of swapping the cross member if you can just swap out the control arms, spindles and steering gear, leaving the cross member intact...I have no problem doing it i just want to know i'm improving my truck and safety and all that crap...My 70 does need some help. I have all of the suspension from a 90 model suburban to add to my truck... I just want to make sure it will be for the best, better brakes, steering etc..Straight scoop is what i need from all o you "veterans of swap" Thanks guys

**lolife99** · 10-15-2008, 08:48 AM

I've never understood the benefit of swapping the crossmember itself. I always leave it and swap everything else. Maybe ease of switching everything if you are NOT going to tear it all apart. But I always rebuild everything. (balljoints, bushings etc.) So it has to come apart anyway.

lo72 · 10-15-2008, 09:21 AM

Oh i will be sure to rebuild everything....i'm just curious as to why change the crossmember if the is no need to...thanks

**N2TRUX** · 10-15-2008, 11:18 AM

There is no real advantage. It's just easier to clean up and install as a unit.

lo72 · 10-15-2008, 12:27 PM

Thanks, I'm fixing to start this project in the next few days and i can use all the help and info from the been there done that folks i can get!

stunna · 10-15-2008, 12:55 PM

switching the crossmember allows you to lower the vehicle more. the factory crossmember sits below the frame rails, most aftermarket kits sit the crossmember up in the frame rails thus giving you more travel when lowering, especially with air. Also most kits utilize rack and pinion steering vs the steering box.

**lolife99** · 10-15-2008, 04:40 PM

stunna,... I think lo72 is talking about using the 71-87 (and 88-91 'burb) factory style "complete crossmember assembly" to add disc brakes. But you are correct about the aftermarket stuff.

stunna · 10-16-2008, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lolife99

stunna,... I think lo72 is talking about using the 71-87 (and 88-91 'burb) factory style "complete crossmember assembly" to add disc brakes. But you are correct about the aftermarket stuff.

Thanks for correction, My Bad.

mtm_seven · 10-16-2008, 12:19 PM

I read that the advantage is the shape of the crossmember below the oil pan - it allows you to drop your oil pan without lifting the motor.... not something I've tested tho.

Spray-Bomb · 10-16-2008, 10:02 AM

Yep, no reason to if you are gonna disassemble it anyway

In my case, I had a rebuilt front end & didnt want to tear it apart to swap it out

*Shane* · 10-16-2008, 01:17 PM

I unbolted one set of upper and lower A-arms and bolted them to the existing crossmember ... I was using drop spindles so I didn't need all the other stuff.

10-15-2008, 06:10 AM	#1
lo72 Truck Junkie Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Lithia Springs Ga Posts: 354	Suspension Swap I've read numerous post regarding the swapping the front suspension with just the matter of drilling a few holes and whiz bang there we are new and improved stuff from the 80s....My question is what is the benefit of swapping the cross member if you can just swap out the control arms, spindles and steering gear, leaving the cross member intact...I have no problem doing it i just want to know i'm improving my truck and safety and all that crap...My 70 does need some help. I have all of the suspension from a 90 model suburban to add to my truck... I just want to make sure it will be for the best, better brakes, steering etc..Straight scoop is what i need from all o you "veterans of swap" Thanks guys

10-15-2008, 08:48 AM	#2
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,700	Re: Suspension Swap I've never understood the benefit of swapping the crossmember itself. I always leave it and swap everything else. Maybe ease of switching everything if you are NOT going to tear it all apart. But I always rebuild everything. (balljoints, bushings etc.) So it has to come apart anyway. __________________ Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

10-15-2008, 09:21 AM	#3
lo72 Truck Junkie Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Lithia Springs Ga Posts: 354	Re: Suspension Swap Oh i will be sure to rebuild everything....i'm just curious as to why change the crossmember if the is no need to...thanks

10-15-2008, 11:18 AM	#4
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Re: Suspension Swap There is no real advantage. It's just easier to clean up and install as a unit. __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

10-15-2008, 12:27 PM	#5
lo72 Truck Junkie Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Lithia Springs Ga Posts: 354	Re: Suspension Swap Thanks, I'm fixing to start this project in the next few days and i can use all the help and info from the been there done that folks i can get!

10-15-2008, 12:55 PM	#6
stunna Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: high point nc Posts: 442	Re: Suspension Swap switching the crossmember allows you to lower the vehicle more. the factory crossmember sits below the frame rails, most aftermarket kits sit the crossmember up in the frame rails thus giving you more travel when lowering, especially with air. Also most kits utilize rack and pinion steering vs the steering box.

10-15-2008, 04:40 PM	#7
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,700	Re: Suspension Swap stunna,... I think lo72 is talking about using the 71-87 (and 88-91 'burb) factory style "complete crossmember assembly" to add disc brakes. But you are correct about the aftermarket stuff. __________________ Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

10-16-2008, 12:19 PM	#9
mtm_seven Loading..... Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Austin, Texas, USA Posts: 214	Re: Suspension Swap I read that the advantage is the shape of the crossmember below the oil pan - it allows you to drop your oil pan without lifting the motor.... not something I've tested tho. __________________ -M7 '69 SWB GMC 5.7 EFI ‘69 C/10 SWB patina survivor ‘71 K20 LWB GMC '72 K5 1-ton gear 468BB ‘79 K20 LWB GMC ‘86 K30 GMC High Sierra C&C Single Cab ‘94 LWB GMC 2500 4x4 '96 SWB Single Cab 5.7 ‘99 SWB Z71 Single Cab '01 K2500 Yukon Safari 6.0 ‘06 1500 LWB 4x4 5.3 ‘06 2500HD Single Cab C&C Duramax 4x4 '08 2500HD x-cab duramax 4x4 '11 2500HD Single Cab Duramax 4x4

10-16-2008, 10:02 AM	#10
Spray-Bomb Texas Big Wig Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Mineola, Texas Posts: 5,620	Re: Suspension Swap Yep, no reason to if you are gonna disassemble it anyway In my case, I had a rebuilt front end & didnt want to tear it apart to swap it out __________________ Just not low enough... ----------------------------- Sinister Killer

10-16-2008, 01:17 PM	#11
Shane Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: over yonder Posts: 14,270	Re: Suspension Swap I unbolted one set of upper and lower A-arms and bolted them to the existing crossmember ... I was using drop spindles so I didn't need all the other stuff.



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