Coil over swap for 1961 fleetside

[Apacheman]

Hi Folks,
Im doing a bunch of work to my Apache, just finished TIG welding the whole frame. I just got my motor mounts in to swap a 1973 Cadillac 500 cid motor into it and i wanted to change the front over to a coil over frontend (crossmember, and all the suspension parts) from a 1963-1966. Is it possible? What work do i have to do? Thanks!

[edflores]

Originally Posted by Apacheman

Hi Folks,
Im doing a bunch of work to my Apache, just finished TIG welding the whole frame. I just got my motor mounts in to swap a 1973 Cadillac 500 cid motor into it and i wanted to change the front over to a coil over frontend (crossmember, and all the suspension parts) from a 1963-1966. Is it possible? What work do i have to do? Thanks!

Use a 73-87 crossmber, arms, etc. You will get disc and power steering, as well as more available parts
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ght=disc+brake

[Apacheman]

Thanks for your reply,
I know you said 1973-1987, but would a 1972 Chevy truck crossmember and suspension work? Theres a guy around the corner from me selling one thats in showroom condition.

[edflores]

Yes sir

[raycow]

The 72 crossmember is actually a slightly easier swap than 73-up (no holes to drill). The only downside is that you will still have the old syle control arm bushings which require frequent greasing. This is NOT a problem if the truck isn't going to be a DD.

Ray

[Apacheman]

So i just bought that crossmember and suspension today! It actually ended up being from a 1971. So is there any way to change it over to the non-grease packed bushings? And if I buy after market A-arms from somewhere like CPP with the poly bushings, do they still need to be greased? Thanks for all your knowledge guys!

[raycow]

Originally Posted by Apacheman

It actually ended up being from a 1971. So is there any way to change it over to the non-grease packed bushings? And if I buy after market A-arms from somewhere like CPP with the poly bushings, do they still need to be greased?

Sorry, I lied to you about not having to drill holes. That's true only on 63-up frames. On 60-62 you have to drill some holes no matter what year crossmember you use.

The 71 bushings and shafts are like the ones on your 61. To get rid of the grease-type bushings you need to use 73-up control arms and shafts. The difference will be evident when you compare the two. If the CPP control arms have poly bushings they should be the 73-up type.

Ray

[Apacheman]

I was going over pictures of what the 71-72 control arms looked like compared to the 73-87, where they mount to the cross member look like they could possibly be switched. Would they, or are the pictures deceiving?

71-72
uppers:
http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...TCA-UKB480.htm
lowers:
http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...TCA-LKB481.htm

73-87
uppers
http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...TCA-UKB903.htm

[raycow]

Yes, you can swap the control arm shafts. That's what a lot of people do instead of swapping the whole crossmember. Sometimes you might have to enlarge the holes for the U-bolts, but that's about all.

Ray

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by raycow

Yes, you can swap the control arm shafts. That's what a lot of people do instead of swapping the whole crossmember. Sometimes you might have to enlarge the holes for the U-bolts, but that's about all.

Ray

Later model (post-73) front ends do use larger u-bolts so the earlier c.members will need the holes enlarged if combining the newer arms to an older c.member. Otherwise, the arms swap over.

[Apacheman]

Thanks for all your help guys, I'm really happy that I can swap that. Would I be changing the A-arms also to the 1973-1987, or does the new shafts fit inside of the 1971 A-arms?

[raycow]

Originally Posted by Apacheman

Would I be changing the A-arms also to the 1973-1987, or does the new shafts fit inside of the 1971 A-arms?

The control arms and shafts have to be used together. 73-up have press-fit rubber bushings and 72-older have threaded steel bushings that need to be greased.

Ray