quick ? about idler arms on later 79 steering swap on a 63 c10 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

neverwinter · 04-17-2012, 12:06 PM

hi all
i got everything rigged up except the tie rods and the tie rod arm on my 63 c109 2 wd. i am using a 79 chevy truck for all the donor parts and everything works well except for the passenger side mount )(the l-shaped arm thing on the idler arm) that bolts to the frame rail. on the 63 the stock location is on the frame just behind where the front and the arm goes almost straight up. added a pic for reference.

i know i can simply drill new holes for the 79 anchor arm on the 63 frame but in doing so i may need to clearance the front-most upper control arm by spacing it out further towards the wheel well. is this ok?

should i try and swap the old 63 idler arm onto the 79 steering setup? anyone know if it will fit? simple enough to try i guess. thanks for any insight. hoping to have the front end done this week so i can get the truck to the local guy to install the rear axle and lowering setup.

thanks all

- jason

scottofksu · 04-17-2012, 12:16 PM

I don't have an answer for you, but you might ask this in the suspension section as well...

63sbssbbw · 04-17-2012, 02:05 PM

I did this swap with '75 components
I did not have the donor truck on hand,so I set up the bracket so it is parallel with the crossmember.
looking from the front and from above.
mark it,drill and bolt (gr 8) it on
T

neverwinter · 04-17-2012, 03:04 PM

thanks guys - very helpful!
- jason

**Captainfab** · 04-18-2012, 01:10 AM

I don't understand your comment about having to clearance the control arm? The idler arm shouldn't be anywhere near the control arm. I have converted to the later style idler arm a few times. I typically use the donor truck as a reference for locating the idler and corresponding holes. If the donor is not available, the method that 63sbssbbw gave will work just fine.

63sbssbbw · 04-18-2012, 06:55 AM

Sorry NW,was having a blonde moment..!
The bracket DOES angle back.
I set it up so the CENTER LINK was paralel with the XM
T

63sbssbbw · 04-24-2012, 03:50 PM

This might help a bit better Jason

neverwinter · 04-24-2012, 04:05 PM

awesome thanks! that looks about the same location i did. but yours looks much nicer!!

04-17-2012, 12:06 PM	#1
neverwinter Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: reading Posts: 113	quick ? about idler arms on later 79 steering swap on a 63 c10 hi all i got everything rigged up except the tie rods and the tie rod arm on my 63 c109 2 wd. i am using a 79 chevy truck for all the donor parts and everything works well except for the passenger side mount )(the l-shaped arm thing on the idler arm) that bolts to the frame rail. on the 63 the stock location is on the frame just behind where the front and the arm goes almost straight up. added a pic for reference. i know i can simply drill new holes for the 79 anchor arm on the 63 frame but in doing so i may need to clearance the front-most upper control arm by spacing it out further towards the wheel well. is this ok? should i try and swap the old 63 idler arm onto the 79 steering setup? anyone know if it will fit? simple enough to try i guess. thanks for any insight. hoping to have the front end done this week so i can get the truck to the local guy to install the rear axle and lowering setup. thanks all - jason Attached Images

04-17-2012, 12:16 PM	#2
scottofksu Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Omaha, Nebraska Posts: 437	Re: quick ? about idler arms on later 79 steering swap on a 63 c10 I don't have an answer for you, but you might ask this in the suspension section as well... __________________ Travis' Tribute Truck - 65 C10 Frame Up Restoration http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=495073

04-17-2012, 02:05 PM	#3
63sbssbbw UCA63 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Lloydminster AB Can. Posts: 1,637	Re: quick ? about idler arms on later 79 steering swap on a 63 c10 I did this swap with '75 components I did not have the donor truck on hand,so I set up the bracket so it is parallel with the crossmember. looking from the front and from above. mark it,drill and bolt (gr 8) it on T __________________ member#7816 "63 sb ss bbw 350\350 12 bolt rear Pwr Fr Disc PS tilt '61 GMC in progress '63 GMC to use for parts '90 Chevy Ext cab sbfs 5.7l (current d d)

04-17-2012, 03:04 PM	#4
neverwinter Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: reading Posts: 113	Re: quick ? about idler arms on later 79 steering swap on a 63 c10 thanks guys - very helpful! - jason

04-18-2012, 01:10 AM	#5
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,252	Re: quick ? about idler arms on later 79 steering swap on a 63 c10 I don't understand your comment about having to clearance the control arm? The idler arm shouldn't be anywhere near the control arm. I have converted to the later style idler arm a few times. I typically use the donor truck as a reference for locating the idler and corresponding holes. If the donor is not available, the method that 63sbssbbw gave will work just fine. __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE

04-18-2012, 06:55 AM	#6
63sbssbbw UCA63 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Lloydminster AB Can. Posts: 1,637	Re: quick ? about idler arms on later 79 steering swap on a 63 c10 Sorry NW,was having a blonde moment..! The bracket DOES angle back. I set it up so the CENTER LINK was paralel with the XM T __________________ member#7816 "63 sb ss bbw 350\350 12 bolt rear Pwr Fr Disc PS tilt '61 GMC in progress '63 GMC to use for parts '90 Chevy Ext cab sbfs 5.7l (current d d)

04-24-2012, 03:50 PM	#7
63sbssbbw UCA63 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Lloydminster AB Can. Posts: 1,637	Re: quick ? about idler arms on later 79 steering swap on a 63 c10 This might help a bit better Jason Attached Images __________________ member#7816 "63 sb ss bbw 350\350 12 bolt rear Pwr Fr Disc PS tilt '61 GMC in progress '63 GMC to use for parts '90 Chevy Ext cab sbfs 5.7l (current d d)

04-24-2012, 04:05 PM	#8
neverwinter Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: reading Posts: 113	Re: quick ? about idler arms on later 79 steering swap on a 63 c10 awesome thanks! that looks about the same location i did. but yours looks much nicer!!

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