86' x-member under 68' chassis

[scottm]

I found a 86' 2wd x-member to go under my 68' chassis. I have a set of 72' upper and lower control arms. Will they work with the 86' x-member or should I find the a set of 86' arms?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by scottm

I found a 86' 2wd x-member to go under my 68' chassis. I have a set of 72' upper and lower control arms. Will they work with the 86' x-member or should I find the a set of 86' arms?

They'll work. Why the swap to the 86 x-member for your 68 chassis?

[scottm]

My plans for the truck over the winter are, converting it to 5 bolt, back half it and bag it. I read somewhere that the 72' arms and drop spindles wont work with my 68' x-member. Heard it was easier to just swap in the 73'-87' x-member.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by scottm

My plans for the truck over the winter are, converting it to 5 bolt, back half it and bag it. I read somewhere that the 72' arms and drop spindles wont work with my 68' x-member. Heard it was easier to just swap in the 73'-87' x-member.

The '72 a-arms are the same as your '68 arms.
(just a different upper and lower ball joint)
So you could actually use your '68 a-arms, (with a ball joint change),... unless they are wore out and the '72 arms are rebuilt.
The 73-87 a-arms are rubber bushed on the cross shafts.
The 67-72 a-arms have steel bushings.

The crossmember itself doesn't need to be swapped out.
Just make sure the balljoints and tie rods match whichever year of drop spindles you buy.
Buying 67-70 disc brake conversion spindles will allow you to use 68 balljoints and tie rods,... which you already have.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by lolife99

The '72 a-arms are the same as your '68 arms.
(just a different upper and lower ball joint)
So you could actually use your '68 a-arms, (with a ball joint change),... unless they are wore out and the '72 arms are rebuilt.
The 73-87 a-arms are rubber bushed on the cross shafts.
The 67-72 a-arms have steel bushings.

The crossmember itself doesn't need to be swapped out.
Just make sure the balljoints and tie rods match whichever year of drop spindles you buy.
Buying 67-70 disc brake conversion spindles will allow you to use 68 balljoints and tie rods,... which you already have.

Yep, what he said (which is why I asked). No need to swap x-members when swapping to discs.

[scottm]

Originally Posted by lolife99

The '72 a-arms are the same as your '68 arms.
(just a different upper and lower ball joint)
So you could actually use your '68 a-arms, (with a ball joint change),... unless they are wore out and the '72 arms are rebuilt.
The 73-87 a-arms are rubber bushed on the cross shafts.
The 67-72 a-arms have steel bushings.

The crossmember itself doesn't need to be swapped out.
Just make sure the balljoints and tie rods match whichever year of drop spindles you buy.
Buying 67-70 disc brake conversion spindles will allow you to use 68 balljoints and tie rods,... which you already have.

Thats good to know. Thanks!
Now "IF" I was to use the 86' x-member, would the 72' drop spindles work with the 86' arms? Or should I just save a hastle and use my 72' arms on my existing x-member. There was another reason I was searching for a new x-member but can't remember why. I'll have to inspect it again.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by scottm

Thats good to know. Thanks!
Now "IF" I was to use the 86' x-member, would the 72' drop spindles work with the 86' arms? Or should I just save a hastle and use my 72' arms on my existing x-member. There was another reason I was searching for a new x-member but can't remember why. I'll have to inspect it again.

Yes, the 72 spindles will work w/the 86 arms; you just need to use the correct BJ's for the spindles. Those spindles & arms will work w/your current x-member or the 86 unit.

[raycow]

Originally Posted by scottm

There was another reason I was searching for a new x-member but can't remember why. I'll have to inspect it again.

Engine mounts are different. Could that be the reason?

Ray

[scottm]

Thanks for all the info guys!
I guess there is no real point in getting the other x-member than.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by scottm

Thanks for all the info guys!
I guess there is no real point in getting the other x-member than.

The only advantage would be to clean, paint, update, as a complete assembly before you tear your truck down.

[scottm]

My existing x-member is coming out anyways so I can clean up the frame and send it to a buddys shop to have the back half measured up and put in. I'll probably just buy new a arm shafts and rebuild my 72' arms.

[scottm]

I will be using the same engine/trans combo that came out. Only differance is the stroker kit.