Rebuilding 71 crossmember..
 

Any tips tricks etc

So far I have collected..

-2.5" Western drop spindles
-Kyb drop shocks (P/N from here)
-Brake pads (summit house brand, is there something better etc??)
-1 stock replacement rotor
-Bearings

It has the factory swaybar 1 1/16" Id like to upgrade to a larger one..

Plans are to disassemble sandblast and put back together with Moog or similaiar front suspension parts. Im going with PS, not looking for dropping alot of $ but dont want to skimp. Looking for a list or something with P/N.

I saw ECE has a package but maybe would it be cheaper to go thru someone else for the same stuff?...

Recommendations for sway bar (Pretty sure my 68 bar came off a 1 ton) Need to upgrade my acct back to blue sometime soon.

Thanks guys any info is appreciated.

Re: Rebuilding 71 crossmember..
 

Also Im cutting the trailign arm crossmember for exhaust cutouts, should I weld a pipe in there for re enforcemtn?

Re: Rebuilding 71 crossmember..
 

also whats the best paint and what options do I have?..

bed liner
spray paint
powdercoat (this is out for $)
tractor paint
rustoleum
por15
summit frame paint
eastwood frame paint

Thanks

Re: Rebuilding 71 crossmember..
 

Have you had this sway bar on already or plan to put it on? Almost everyone I know that runs the HD factory bar is pleased with the results. Of course that includes new bushing and usually coincides with a rebuilt front suspension.

That seems to be the most common way to do it. I would use the same method myself.

Re: Rebuilding 71 crossmember..
 

I use POR15 for a lot of stuff, so much so I got a dealer account to save money. I also do my own powdercoating because it is cheap to do and durable. Built my own oven, started with the crappy Eastwood HotCoat gun, then upgraded to a pro style gun.

I painted my brake calipers with POR15 just for fun.

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q...1-30181044.jpg

Re: Rebuilding 71 crossmember..
 

The 1 ton bar is on my blue 68 lwb.

My 69 swb has a factory 1/2 ton sway bar. Is it worthwhile to look for a thicker 1 ton or aftermarket bar (of course new bushings too)?

Can I POR 15 bare raw metal? Can I use por 15 on calipers/rotors with the high amounts of heat?

Thanks

What other things can I do to help handling/performance on a budget (mostly stock front)

Planning on cutting the rivits on the trialing arms and sandblasting insides then welding the seam up and grade 8 bolts in place of rivits

Re: Rebuilding 71 crossmember..
 

if you are using drop spindles with stock springs the drop shocks are not needed are probally wont work properly

Re: Rebuilding 71 crossmember..
 

Im planning on cutting the front stock springs or getting a 2" drop spring

Somewhere between 4-5" front drop. I like rake but not sure if I want so much rake that its too much to drive..

Re: Rebuilding 71 crossmember..
 

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-D52-728A

These are the pads I ordered...I dont wanna spend a fortune on stuff but dont want to wish that I would've bought different stuff etc

Is there something better? He said Id have to go with a drilled/slotted rotor for a higher quality pad?..

Thanks

Re: Rebuilding 71 crossmember..
 

I use Raybestos brake and chassis parts exclusively. I think ECE does too. I think it's the best stuff on the market. I would find a 1 ton sway bar for sure. U pull it style junk yards are full of them. Enjoy.
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Rebuilding 71 crossmember..
 

Did you end up welding a reinforcement?

I 'm curious on this as well and am wondering if it is a must to reinforce it after drilling through them.

Re: Rebuilding 71 crossmember..
 

What front shocks do I need for 2" drop spring or cut front shocks (thinking about a 3.5" or so front drop combined with spindles)

I have ECE front shocks (dropped) but thinking maybe something else woudl work better?..

Re: Rebuilding 71 crossmember..
 

I'd just use the same ECE shocks you have now. They're probably the silver KYB GR-2s. They always ride great for me whether I'm running cut front coils or lowered front coils.

Re: Rebuilding 71 crossmember..
 

I found the P/N online its supposed to be the same shock ece has for their drop kits

Im all about saving $. Will cutting the coils be the same effect (ride etc) as $100 dropped springs?

thansk

Re: Rebuilding 71 crossmember..
 

cutting coils is just fine, just cut one full round out of the coils and your set.

Re: Rebuilding 71 crossmember..
 

Agree.

Re: Rebuilding 71 crossmember..
 

thats what I did on my ol blue truck but going to try to do this one nicer better etc

Still need:
Suspension rebuild stuff (balljoints tie rods etc)

Also, I dont have any (or much) of the steering stuff tierod ends to pitman arm. Should I just order new stuff?

Is there a list with P/N or anything for rebuild components for a 71 72 chevy 2wd 1/2ton?

right now I just have the small swaybar debating going with a larger one if I can find it..

Re: Rebuilding 71 crossmember..
 

I scored a complete front-end rebuild kit off the 'bay for a little over $200. http://www.ebay.com/itm/1973-1974-19...item4abe3e0b3f http://www.ebay.com/itm/1971-1972-CH...item564e8b37fb

Re: Rebuilding 71 crossmember..
 

do you know what brand or usa or china?

Re: Rebuilding 71 crossmember..
 

You'd be hard pressed to buy just the ball joints in an American made source for that money. I recently completely rebuilt a suspension with all top of the line stuff and had way over 500 dollars worth of Moog parts in the job.

I'm kind of a snob when it comes to using top quality parts though. Quality first, price is second priority to me.
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Rebuilding 71 crossmember..
 

I figured it was china etc

If im going to build it the way I want, Im taking my time and doing it how I want

Thanks for the imput txfirefighter your full of knowledge (good knowlege that is) lol

Re: Rebuilding 71 crossmember..
 

What part numbers did you come up with for the shocks, if you don`t mind.

Re: Rebuilding 71 crossmember..
 

If you get ece's 4.5/6 drop kit...the shocks are kyb 344068 and 344055. You can get those 1/2 price via amazon or ebay

I got mine thru summitracing, about 25 each

Re: Rebuilding 71 crossmember..
 

kool, thanks.

Re: Rebuilding 71 crossmember..
 

Do the Caster Mod!

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=501241

Re: Rebuilding 71 crossmember..
 

Ok. Truck came with a 71 front crossmember, its missing the steering componnents. My 69 is drums but everything is there.

Im thinking it would be simpler to return my 71 drop spindles I got from summit racing for 67-70 conversion dropped spindles. That way I can just order all my rebuild parts for a 69 chevy truck.

Whatchall think?

Just placed an order with a borad vendor for cab bushings and rad support bushings. :)

Re: Rebuilding 71 crossmember..
 

Anyone? Would it be better to rebuild the 69 crossmember thats on the truck or rebuild the 71 crossmember that came with it?

(I already have 71 dropped spindles but have about 2 months left to return them)

Re: Rebuilding 71 crossmember..
 

Are 69/71 drag link (the long bar between pitman/idler arm) the same?

Re: Rebuilding 71 crossmember..
 

no.

Centerlink:
Grouped by Differences:
*60-62
*63-64
*65-70
*71-72
*73-87

Info here:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...68&postcount=4

Re: Rebuilding 71 crossmember..
 

lolife-

Like I said, I already have the 71 dropped spindles. Would it be simpler to return them for 67-70 conversion dropped spindles (Im missing the 71's centerlink/draglink) Also I would keep my sanity by just ordering 69 chevy parts instead of frankenstein stuff.

Also, I have the factory 1 1/16" swaybar. Would I notice anything going to the larger 1 1/4" bar from the 73-87 trucks?

Re: Rebuilding 71 crossmember..
 

It would be more simple to use conversion spindles.

You might notice a slight difference using the 1-1/4" bar over the smaller version.

Re: Rebuilding 71 crossmember..
 

Calipers
balljoints
control arm shaft kits
tie rod end adj sleeves
tie rod ends (inner/outer)
idler arm
seals for inner rotors

$390.00 from rock auto with coupon
Everythings moog except raybestos calipers and the seals for the rotors)

I have everything else (hoses rotors spindles shocks etc already)

Re: Rebuilding 71 crossmember..
 

Is there anything else I need? I couldnt find the dust covers for the rotors on rockauto.

Were the factory 67-72 1/2ton swaybars 1 1/8" or 1 1/16"? I just remember mines not the 1 1/4". Going to order new swaybar bushings as well.

Re: Rebuilding 71 crossmember..
 

Well I located a 1.25" swaybar. Some mix up on whether or not it has brackets or not with it (Abit confusing).

Are drag links (centerlinks) wear items? Mines missing. Should I buy a used one? Cant find a new one on the net (not by moog at least)

Re: Rebuilding 71 crossmember..
 

Center links are non wear items. They're just a solid bar with holes in it for the idler and pitman arms and the two inner tie rod ends.
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Rebuilding 71 crossmember..
 

What I figured. Any idea where I can get a new one? Checked moog's site and rockauto

guess I should keep hunting a used one.

Re: Rebuilding 71 crossmember..
 

Returned my dropped spindles (71 72) Was trying to find conversion spindles (slightly used etc)

Thinking of using my tax return for frontend parts and maybe dropped spindles...

Need:
Calipers
balljoints
control arm shaft kits
tie rod end adj sleeves
tie rod ends (inner/outer)
idler arm
seals for inner rotors
KYB-344055(rear)
drop spindles (conversion type)
1 1/4" swaybarbushings
(1) brake rotor
rear dropped springs http://www.summitracing.com/parts/cl...del/c10-pickup or similar

Re: Rebuilding 71 crossmember..
 

I had a 72, and put all of it's suspension (freshly rebuilt) on my 69. It's a long story, but it involves me doing a lot of installing and un installing, and reinstalling 67-72 C10 front end parts. I would, at your stage, go with the conversion spindles, and maybe even think about keeping the 6 lug, it seems like there are lots more cool wheels available on the cheap for 6 lug. I know you move around a lot, but if any of this is taking place in Viola, I (and probably some more of the Tn boys) would be more than happy to lend a hand. That suspension stuff can be an aggravation, and I have had mine completely apart 4 or 5 times in the last year. I can do it blindfolded, lol.

Re: Rebuilding 71 crossmember..
 

Yeah all of its goin on back in TN im a couple miles away from home most of the year :(
Plan on going back this spring would like to disassemble the trailing arms (split them) sandblast weld/bolt them together with grade 8 and put new bushings in and paint. Also would like (we'll see) to get the front suspension off the truck (clip taken off) disassembled sandblasted rebuilt (will be storing in dads basement/shop) :)

Tryin' to find a place that sandblasts cheap/good in middle TN (Near viola/manchester/mcminnville). Will be doing the frame too but that will be some other time (unfortunately). Planning on cuttin holes for exhaust thru the trialing arm crossmember as well. Duals and LSX?

Re: Rebuilding 71 crossmember..
 

Do you have any thoughts about just finding a different frame?
That way you could keep your truck together and rebuild the frame in your spare time.
That's what I would do.

These trucks take up a ton of room when you blow them completely apart.
A bare chassis would be a good project to do, and still allow youu to drive your truck.
(As in, haul stuff to the sand blast shop, etc)
Plus you might get some better trailing arms and a frame that hasn't been in a wreck.

Just a thought,...