Has anyone installed or attempted to install g-body front suspension, arms spindles onto a a-body. Read a article it improves turning radius and handling. True false yes no???

 

It’s pretty easy to install a G body steering gearbox. If you can find one from the performance G bodies it reduces the number of turns lock to lock. It also gets rid of the “powerful” steering and offers a little more road feel. The F body gearboxes are another option, but the steering arc is smaller, making the turning radius larger.

Other than that, I don’t think any of the suspension or brake parts interchange. Since the G bodies are smaller/lighter than the A body cars, I can’t think of a single advantage.

 

^^^This.

Or, is the OP referring to the 78-81 cars, which are technically "A-body" cars?
Or, perhaps, to the 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix, which was the first "G-body" car?

 

I always forget the first couple years of the downsized cars are technically A bodies. Any idea why they kept the designation, and then decided to change?


I assume the first year Monte Carlo were also G bodies? Don’t the Grand Prix and Monte Carlos share the same chassis?

 

The 1981 A-body cars were supposed to be replaced by the FWD A-body line (Cutlass Ciera) for the 1982 model year. GM decided to keep the RWD platform in production at the last minute, so the platform designation was changed to G-body for 1982.

As for the GP and Monte, the 1969 Fisher Body Manual specifically calls the GP a G-body. In 1970 they changed that designation to "A-special". I don't know why. Chronologically, the use of "G" makes sense. The A-B-C-D lineup was in place from the 1964 model year. The E-body (Toronado) came out in 1966. The F-body in 1967. That makes G the next for the new Grand Prix in 1969. The Vega H-body was released for the 1971 model year.

 

go here and look thru the archives..25 years worth of suspension tech...anything and everything ever done, or could be done, including junkyard swaps have been posted...i feel they have the best archives of any site...

https://www.chevelles.com/forums/

some suggestions, although it doesnt answer the G-Body swap questions


the jeep cherokee steering box swap has been perfected

the tall spindle conversion has bump steer issues..global west has offset upper control arms that help with steering and no bump steer

98 to 2000 camaro and T/A disc brake stuff can be swapped onto your spindles with a cheap bracket..but cant remember if they fit in 15 in wheel..i think you need 16s

 

If I were to guess, I think it is because the A-special is a longer A-body. Perhaps it wasn't different enough to be its own thing.

 

The 1970 A-special was exactly the same car as the 1969 G-body.

 

Precisely my point. I mean that, maybe they realized it was not worth its own letter after the fact.

Or, the 70 Monte Carlo is about 60% Chevelle. How similar is the GP to whatever Pontiac is closest?

 

Tempest/LeMans. And pretty darned similar.

 

The 1969-72 GP and 70-72 Monte use the same suspension and chassis parts as do every other A-body. The difference is in the wheelbase, though unlike the Vista where the added length is in the rear doors and floorpan, in the case of the Monte and GP, the added wheelbase is between the front wheels and the firewall.

Let that sink in for a minute.

There is ZERO added passenger or cargo volume from this additional 3" of wheel base. All it does is push the front wheels further from the firewall. The engine was actually kept in the same relationship to the firewall as on other A-body cars, so the motor mounts were different from those of Chevelle and LeMans. This is why the Monte and GP both use the world's longest fan shrouds. Look at the front fenders of a Monte or GP and note the distance from the front wheel opening to the front of the door.