The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop switching out front suspension

A friend of mine told me about someone with a 61 or 63 chevy truck that they unbolted the entire front suspension from a 76 or 77 chevy truck and did the same with the early truck. Then they were able to bolt the newer suspension onto the older truck. I've done some preliminary measurements and it looks like it might work. Anybody heard of this before?

I plan on the same thing. There is a lot of talk on this subject. I have a 60 swb to do. I have heard a rumor that some frames are wider; anybody have a thought on that?

i'm running the front and rear suspension from a '73 under mine.

i was going to type 'under my '66', but i'm in the process of merging the best parts of a '64 gmc shortbed and a '66 chevy big window fleet.

running the '73 rear on the '66 required drilling holes for new spring hangers, not required on the '64 since it was already set-up for leaf.

the front is a bolt in swap for both my '64 and my '66o ther than drilling some holes for sway bar mounts. i also moved over the power steering so i purchased the rez(?) conversion kit.

one other thing, i had to go to five lug rims.

The 60-62 had a completely different system with tortion bars. I don,t think you can do it with those models. The 63 up should be an easy swap.

I have spoken to other people with 60-62's, and they have done the same swap.

I have measured my frame on my 62 and so far it looks like a match to the newer frame. I had originally thought I'd have to do a frame swap. This is going to be less hassle by far. Answers like these are why I belong to this site

I'm not sure about any other years, but my buddy put 1977 suspension on his 1966. He used the original springs from the 66 to lower it slightly. It was not really that hard, but having the right tools helped a lot.

As far as using a later front end under a '60-'63,I think the only difference you'd be dealing with once you pull your early suspension out is the crossmember the rear of the torsion bars attach to,and the only thing that ever affects is,sometimes,the exhaust system.
Speed

Seen this on another thread, question, how about the brake gear, master cly, etc..

tea,the good brakes come with the new crossmember. www.mpbrakes.com can help you with the master cylinder.

6T2burb
I bought a 1987 C20 IFS for my 51 and it was to wide for mine but I was told from several bolters that it would fit 60 thru 66 real good "almost a bolt in install" you'll have to drill a few extra holes in your frame. try to get the column from the donner truck also
Good Luck