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Posted By: brigrat '72 to '77 Chevy Front frame Measurement - May 12th 2019 8:06 pm
By any chance doe's anyone have the measurement from front outside frame rails ( axle centerline area) on a '72-"77 Chevy? I would like to find a more modern front suspension like a Vette, Mustang ll, etc. In a perfect world you would have to have the stock suspension off.
Thanks!
Posted By: Don_F Re: '72 to '77 Chevy Front frame Measurement - May 13th 2019 4:58 am
There is actually not much wrong with the factory front end, Its not the twin I beam thing ford had and even that is not horrible. A lot of people say its sloppy but a fresh set of bushings and a good steering box will do wonders. I had a little slop on my van at 105,000. I found it was a loose pitman arm. Once that was done its tight. I drive a rack and pinion car with sport coil overs that was set up for track days often, so if it was sloppy, I definitely have a comparison. Even with a Mustang II suspension a 4000 lb van is going to be a pig in the corners. I see a lot of people get over their head fast, project wise. We all want something cool and unusual, but talk about cutting off the front suspension when you have to ask for measurements raises some red flags.
Posted By: tuner4life Re: '72 to '77 Chevy Front frame Measurement - May 13th 2019 12:52 pm
The suspension geometry isn't too bad on these.. I think most of the "slop" you will experience is going to come from the LCA shafts that are rubber filled, and the steering linkage. I plan to upgrade to solid LCA shafts soon and try to convert to rack/pinion steering somehow.
Posted By: brigrat Re: '72 to '77 Chevy Front frame Measurement - May 13th 2019 3:11 pm
Maybe I could have worded my question better. I never said I hated how the stock suspension rides, never used the word "slop" and I never said I already cut the suspension or frame off. In my defense I am old enough to have bought 2 new Chevy shorty's in '75 & '77 . Was grafting mid 60's Chevelle front clips on hot rod trucks & cars before most of you were born. Way before Mustang ll were popular, and now I use the term Mustang ll loosely. I am at the age now that I want to do something diff. Your both rite, shore up the stock suspension to new or better spec's and you are golden, another thing that helps greatly is a bigger diameter sway bar. Kinda bored with all that and want to investigate something more exotic front & rear........................
Posted By: Don_F Re: '72 to '77 Chevy Front frame Measurement - May 13th 2019 6:13 pm
I have heard that a lot of the aftermarket stuff meant for the late 60's Gm truck like dropped spindles will work on the G10. It makes sense though, as my 1995 has a lot of replacement parts that trace right back to the late 60s truck. Arm rests included.
Posted By: brigrat Re: '72 to '77 Chevy Front frame Measurement - May 13th 2019 7:30 pm
Yep, Just installed dropped spindles, '60's C10 type, will run with that till I gather parts for a full on suspension re-do.
not looking for "the flavor of the month" just a challenge!
Tubular a arms and coil overs! Fatter sway bar as well.
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