Help I.D. front suspension, what do i have?

[KALL64]

New to forum, I pick a 66 project and when we pulled the cab i saw that the front suspension had been swapped out, I think it's off a 72 but not sure? It was in a barn for a long time and the guy i got if from said all he knew was the pervious owner had done some work on the front end. Any help with what you see would be greatly appreciated. Going with a 355 and 350th.

[Chevy Fleetside]

That is a 73 to 87 front end. I don't what year GM went to metric fitting but I think it was in 78. So 78 and up would be metric. Check and see if you have the 1" wide brake rotors or the 1 1/4" wide brake rotors. 73 is when they started using rubber control arm bushings. Just curious on how he mounted the steering box. Maybe you could get some closeups of that. Just make sure it is safe.

[KALL64]

I'll get some more pics out tomorrow. I found an invoice i got with the truck and it looks like the used a lot of 72 parts to rebuild the front end. I plan on blowing this apart and powder coat everything, is it worth using with it being all mixed up or should i find a 72 crossmember and salvage what i can? The part of the frame that holds the steering box has been spliced in and the front horn of the 66 frame spliced back on the front.

[Chevy Fleetside]

That parts list you showed me only tells me he used early springs up front and 71-72 rear drum brake parts. Basically the rear end is a 71-72 year model, I have the same in one of my trucks.
As for the front. I wold keep an eye on the frame where the steering box is mounted. Looks ok for now but just make sure you don't get any cracking. I know some people have done this weld in for a later steering box, the rest of us use a kit.
He might have swapped in a front cross member already. The early model used a smaller u bolt for the lower control arm and in the later years they beefed it up.

[Chevy Fleetside]

this is the early u bolt https://www.classicparts.com/1963-66...ctinfo/74-351/

And these are the later one's. They went from 7/16 to 9/16. The early one's were prone to breaking. https://www.classicparts.com/1967-91...ctinfo/74-352/

So if you have the later crossmember the u bolts should be 9/16. You definitely have the later motor mounts.

[cwcarpenter98]

You definitely have 73-87 upper and lower control arms. Most likely the entire front crossmember was used. You also have 73-87 engine mounts. Good chance the sway bar came from that same donor truck. What does the idler arm look like? With the work done to the steering gear, my guess is the entire front steering is 73-87 as well.

[Chevy Fleetside]

Originally Posted by cwcarpenter98

You definitely have 73-87 upper and lower control arms. Most likely the entire front crossmember was used. You also have 73-87 engine mounts. Good chance the sway bar came from that same donor truck. What does the idler arm look like? With the work done to the steering gear, my guess is the entire front steering is 73-87 as well.

Yep. If you look at the pictures, you will see the nuts for the idler arm and they are at a backward angle. The 64-66 would be straight up and down.

[val1gonzales]

Maybe try and see if you can run or find info on that serial number on the top of that frame horn. I believe number it the same as the VIN of the original donor truck.

[KALL64]

Since i'm taking everything apart , would you switch anything out? Is there any problem using whats there? I want to use different motor mounts, any suggestions? Thanks

[KALL64]

I am looking at using a drop spindle , would i order a 73 drop spindle for this setup or does it matter? And can i go with the engine mount towers with it?

[cwcarpenter98]

You would order the drop spindles for the 73-87 ball joints that are in your current arms. You do need to confirm which size rotor you have before ordering so that it matches properly.
Now is the time to replace any worn/broken suspension and steering parts since it's easy to get to

[RustyPile]

I'm late (hope I'm not too late) coming to this thread.. Others have covered the question as to the year of the suspension components, so I won't comment on that.. I would like to address the frame welded splice areas.. To prevent any future cracks from forming, I suggest welding in some "diamond" shaped reinforcement plates over the welds to both the vertical and horizontal areas of the frame rail.