[updated:LAST EDITED ON Jul-12-02 AT 11:34 AM (CST)]You can take the entire front suspension, crossmember and all, from a 72 to 80's doner truck. It will bolt right in for the most part, although the front two holes may need to be enlongated or drilled new.
If you go that route, take the time to rebuild the rotating assembly with new bearings, have the rotors checked, new brake shoes, etc.
This is also a great time to replace upper and lower ball joints as well as other critical steering components like tie rod ends etc.
Shop around first. I looked at kits for a year before deciding on going that route after weighing the options. I looked at the unit ChevyDuty has, but decided on one from another vendor for various reasons. (everything else? it's ChevyDuty for me...) I know a number of folks who have done the doner truck swap and are happy with it.
For me, the kit route made sense. New parts, (no rebuilding), no running around looking for the wierd thingie to make that doo-daad work, plus technical help from the manufacturer should you run into trouble.
I started my kit installation with a dis-assembled front end. While I saved for the kit I rebuilt everything. Bushings , ball joints, tie rod ends, idler arm, everything! I took two days off work to do the install. I started at 8 am on day one and was driving it at 4 pm that same day. I was amazed !!
Anyway, to each his own. If the crossmember swap makes sense to you, it can be done rather easily. Otherwise there are kits out there that will get you there too.
Good luck with your project.
Dennis
