71 Front End Question [Archive] - FSC

allday

11-02-2005, 09:43 AM

Hey all, great forum, lots of killer info. I just got a 71 Cheyenne, the front end is scary! Lots of play in the steering and no shocks, do I need a full suspension rebuild? I've seen kits, whats the best bang for your buck. Also curious if you all have done a 3 speed to Turbo 350 conversion.

97Silverado

11-02-2005, 09:45 AM

PST makes a nice poly-graphite kit for that truck.

www.p-s-t.com

Joe

11-02-2005, 09:48 AM

Everything is new on my '72 chassis. My shocks, spindles, springs are from Early Classic (www.EarlyClassic.com)
I used the PST rubber rebuild kit, Nice package, I highly recommend them :cool:

They do not make a poly graphite front end rebuild kit yet for the pre-73 GM pickups.

97Silverado

11-02-2005, 10:17 AM

They do not make a poly graphite front end rebuild kit yet for the pre-73 GM pickups.My bad...you are correct.

allday

11-02-2005, 10:34 AM

Thanks fellas, I like that cheap pst kit, is it hard to install? Driveway job? Any info on the auto trans swap from 3 speed?

97Silverado

11-02-2005, 10:35 AM

Driveway job for sure although you may need a press. I did my '97 in the driveway in an afternoon,

Joe

11-02-2005, 10:37 AM

Thanks fellas, I like that cheap pst kit, is it hard to install? Driveway job? Any info on the auto trans swap from 3 speed?
I agree, driveway job :D

Just remove the lower A Arms and take them to the auto parts store to remove and press in the new ball joints.

Get some forks to remove the tie rods :cool:

Swapping the trans, you'll need the proper linkage etc and ensure you don't need a differrent length driveshaft.

allday

11-02-2005, 10:47 AM

I don't have an air compressor right now, which feels pretty lame. Can you seperate the ball joints by hand?

Joe

11-02-2005, 10:50 AM

I don't have an air compressor right now, which feels pretty lame. Can you seperate the ball joints by hand?
Yep, A pickle fork, BFH (Big F Hammer) and some elbow grease :D

97Silverado

11-02-2005, 10:50 AM

I don't have an air compressor right now, which feels pretty lame. Can you seperate the ball joints by hand?A pickle fork and a hammer (BFH) would probably help.

Joe

11-02-2005, 10:51 AM

:LOL: Texans are slow

97Silverado

11-02-2005, 10:53 AM

Just my crappy gummint computer. :teddy: That and I am eating lunch....how do you get lasagna off the keyboard?

Joe

11-02-2005, 10:56 AM

Just my crappy gummint computer. :teddy: That and I am eating lunch....how do you get lasagna off the keyboard?
:windowlic

pumper578

11-02-2005, 11:12 AM

you have to be careful swapping to a th350 from three on the tree, i beleive you have to modify the tranny mounts, was it an original 5.7 or inline 6? if it was an original 5.7 you shouldnt have any problem, just drop right in, if it was a inline 6 then you will have to modify a decent amount of the frame. A friend of mine has a 71 and he did the same thing, but he had the inline 6 to a 350-th350...best of luck

Joe

11-02-2005, 11:14 AM

There should be no frame mods necessary to do that swap.
At most, a different transmission mount brace that runs between the framerails.

riche

11-02-2005, 11:18 AM

If the trans mount is up by the engine. It is a beotch...
You have to remove the mount that is riveted in!!! Not an easy job with the cab in the way unless you have a plasma cutter!!!

Joe

11-02-2005, 11:20 AM

The trans mount sits under the seats. It should be bolted in as you need to remove it to drop the transmission for service or replacement :D

allday

11-02-2005, 11:23 AM

I guess for the auto trans swap I'd need a new steering column, not too hard to find. Sorry to back track, but is the extra "play" in my steering mean a new steering box is in order. I have a power steering is that the culprit? Thanx in advance

Joe

11-02-2005, 11:26 AM

You could go with a floor shifter and spare yourself the steering column swap.

Tough to say about the steering. I've never diagnosed that.

riche

11-02-2005, 11:30 AM

Joe

11-02-2005, 11:33 AM

There are different mount locations depending on the set-up. I have seen 3 speed manuals with a mount at the front of the transmission the bolts to the bottom of the bellhousing. Definitely get a floor shifter.
I took apart 2 manual trans trucks. Both had the cross member in the same place as the auto, near the tail :dunno:

riche

11-02-2005, 11:35 AM

Steering play is usually the pitman arm, idler arm and tie rods. I have seen these trucks only need a pitman arm and the worm gear adjusted in the steering box.

"I took apart 2 manual trans trucks. Both had the cross member in the same place as the auto, near the tail "

Were they v8 or strait 6?

Joe

11-02-2005, 11:36 AM

The manual trucks each had a V8. My straight 6 auto had the brace in the same place.
There are different crossmembers between auto and manual transmissions however. None are located near the bell housing that I have ever seen.

riche

11-02-2005, 11:39 AM

Weird... I am sure you think I am crazy... maby they only used them up to 69, That was the last year that I swaped on one with a standard trans.

Joe

11-02-2005, 11:40 AM

I took apart two 67's and one 68 :D
There just isn't any place to mount a trans brace close to the bellhousing :dunno:

Joe

11-02-2005, 11:46 AM

This is the trans cross member I'm referring to. The greasy one behind the front wheels.
Yes, this frame is bent :LOL:

This was a 67 6 cyl, 2spd powerglide truck.

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/joelopez/67c10/wreck/DSC00039.JPG

riche

11-02-2005, 11:57 AM

I have seen that one it is not the same. The one I am talking about is riveted in the holes on the framerails that curve down before the frame goes strait back. There are 2 holes in the top and bottom on each frame rail. I see them in the pic. The trans is bolted in with 2 bolts one on each side of the bellhousing. I know it is in the trucks that came with the strait 6 and the 4 speed granny...

Nice frame work... That is want happend to mine on the front fram rails after I spent 2 years rebuilding it... I still think if I would have left it grey primer that Beotch in the suburban would have never dreamed of trying to pass me while I was turning left!!!

Joe

11-02-2005, 12:03 PM

Are you talking about a 4wd truck? I believe they are different.
I was talking 2wd :D

Joe

11-02-2005, 12:11 PM

Check this out:
http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=178731

First time I've heard of that brace :cool:
I wonder when they started using that? Maybe '71?

riche

11-02-2005, 12:28 PM

That is the one I was talking about!!!!
I have seen it in a 68 & 69.
That is funny I was waiting for you to call me out and tell me to stop talking trash...
I am glad you found a pic!!!

Black Dog

11-02-2005, 04:01 PM

There are different mount locations depending on the set-up. I have seen 3 speed manuals with a mount at the front of the transmission the bolts to the bottom of the bellhousing. Definitely get a floor shifter.

AFAIK, all of the 2WD manual trans trucks of that era only have a crossmember under the bellhousing, not at the rear of the tranny. To swap in an automatic, you need to find a crossmember for the rear of the tranny.

pumper578

11-02-2005, 06:29 PM

AFAIK, all of the 2WD manual trans trucks of that era only have a crossmember under the bellhousing, not at the rear of the tranny. To swap in an automatic, you need to find a crossmember for the rear of the tranny.

Thank you for agreeing with me!

you have to be careful swapping to a th350 from three on the tree, i beleive you have to modify the tranny mounts...

I knew I wasnt hitting the crack pipe that hard!