8 to 5 lug conversion questions.

[treveiger]

I'm planning on switching out my truck to 5 lug and had planned on putting a 79 front end on it but now the guy I had set up to buy the front end from seems not to want to deal with it and just take the cars to the crusher so I'm wondering what would be cheaper, waiting for a newer front end or using the a front end either from a 71 Chevy or a 71-72 gmc that I can get for free. Either way I'm planning on going through and rebuilding whatever one I decide to get and I'm wondering which would be cheaper and better to do? Any info on this would be great. Also if I switched to a 5 lug from the 71 Chevy or 71-72gmc what would i all need to do?
Thanks
Posted via Mobile Device

[gcburdic]

I've moved this over to the suspension forum....these guys are a big help over here.....in the mean time, have a look through this thread for more help on what's needed...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=444823....BTW free is always good

[N2TRUX]

Free is good, but not always the cheapest way to go. Since you plan to rebuild what ever you run, price the replacement parts. You will fimd that the 73-87 parts will save money in the end.

[treveiger]

When I was looking the replacement parts for the 79 front end weren't much cheaper which I found odd but ill have to check around more. The front end of the 79 was $150 so I was wondering if it still would be cheaper. My truck already has disk brakes from a 71-72 I'm pretty sure but there 8 lug so I'm wondering if I just went with a 5 lug swap from a 71 or 72 what would I all need do.
Gcburbic thank you
Posted via Mobile Device

[treveiger]

Ttt
Posted via Mobile Device

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by treveiger

When I was looking the replacement parts for the 79 front end weren't much cheaper which I found odd but ill have to check around more. The front end of the 79 was $150 so I was wondering if it still would be cheaper. My truck already has disk brakes from a 71-72 I'm pretty sure but there 8 lug so I'm wondering if I just went with a 5 lug swap from a 71 or 72 what would I all need do.
Gcburbic thank you
Posted via Mobile Device

What is the "big picture" plan?
Just get your truck to 5-lug the cheapest way possible?
Rebuild EVERYTHING?
We need a little more info.

Your 8-lug front end uses a different lower a-arm.
The upper a-arms are the same.

You will need to swap at the minimum:
1) all balljoints
2) lower a-arms
3) spindles
4) rotors
5) outer tie rods

Have you read any of this?
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...68&postcount=4

[treveiger]

Pretty much the easiest an cheapest way for right now, and also inspect everything an rebuild if necessary. The truck was restored a few years ago and drives fine I'd just like to put my fathers old rally on there with a better highway rear end. Thanks Keith I was trying to find which way to go and couldn't decide.
Posted via Mobile Device