Little help needed: original 1964 C10 front suspension?

[nibulus]

Hello everybody,

I'm a new -64 C10 owner and would need a bit of help regarding the front suspension:

can anyone identify if this is the original -64 front end?

I want to buy a set of lowering springs/spindles, but before I do that I want to know if it has the original suspension/front end.

It has a 5-lug conversion, if it makes any difference.

Thanks in advance!

[mark 66]

it appears to be disc brakes? if so, with that and 5 lug it is definitely not original.

[nibulus]

Thanks for the reply. Should've mentioned that in the original post.

What about the components around the coil spring (trailing arm/upper spring seat or whatever they are called...)?

What I'm aiming at is whether I can buy regular -64 C10 lowered coil springs or should I go for something else. I guess the spindles will be a risky purchase anyway since I don't know much about the 5-lug conversion apart from the bolt pattern...

[jonzcustomshop]

I think I would gamble and say that that is all 73-87 stuff, it is much easier to change out the whole crossmember than it is to make disc brake spindles work with the 64 suspension, so that is probably what was done...

[chevyrestoguy]

The lower control arm bushings tell me it's not a '73-'87. With 5-lugs, disc brakes, and the threaded control arm bushings, my guess is that it's a 1971 or 1972 half-ton suspension.

If the crossmember has been swapped out to a '73-'87, then there should be one hole on each side of the frame where it attaches to the crossmember that should be slotted. If you install a later crossmember in an early chassis, you have to drill two new holes and slot two others to get it all to bolt up.

Another thing to look at is the size of the u-bolts on the lower control arms. The earlier ones are a smaller diameter than the later ones.

[sigshooter]

The later trucks had rubber bushings in the control arms, the older trucks had the metal bushings, so it has to be 72 and older... more than likely it is your 64 a arms

[nibulus]

We're slowly getting there...

Here's another one, which might be helpful:

[Chevy Fleetside]

Measure the lower control arm from outside the ball joint to the back of the rear shaft and tell use the size. The later model stuff is wider then the early. Someone might have just put later spindles on your early arms. early model till be straght up and down and the later model will be angled back toward the cab.

[nibulus]

Unfortunately I cannot measure it, since it's not on my yard yet...

I found an image of a -63 C10 crossmember on the internet, which seems to be very similar:

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by nibulus

Unfortunately I cannot measure it, since it's not on my yard yet...

I found an image of a -63 C10 crossmember on the internet, which seems to be very similar:

Look at the picture you posted.
See how long the original tie rod connector sleeve is?
See how short the outer tie rods are?

I still think you have 71-72 parts on your truck.

[nibulus]

True - the tie rods and spindles must be from a newer model, but I'm not sure about the crossmember and the trailing arm(s) yet.

*the investigation goes on*

[lolife99]

nibulous,... it looks like you have 71-72 spindles and tie rods to me.
What width rotors?
I would expect them to be 1-1/4" wide.

I would just add drop spindles and trim those coils a little.
(1/2 coil removed = 1" drop)

[lolife99]

a-arms are definitely NOT 73-87.

[nibulus]

Small update on this one: so it turned out you guys (and ECE) suggesting 71-72 spindles and tie rods were right. A huge thanks for that.

Interestingly, it has a 5 x 4,5" bolt pattern in the front.

Anyway, the new lowering spindles ('71-'72) and springs ('64) are perfect. Can't wait to see how it looks with the new wheels (smoothies) on....

However, the engine/transmission must come out and a few other modifications need to be done first...


Edit: by the way, the truck is by far the coolest vehicle I've ever had! It's unbelievable how much character it has (although it drives like sh*t right now, due to a few technical issues). Plus here in Germany there are probably only a handful of them...

[lolife99]

Are you sure you are measuring your bolt pattern correctly?

[nibulus]

Positive - I even have a set of wheels with 5 x 4.5 bolt pattern, and they fit...

[lolife99]

Strange that a chevrolet truck 5x5 rotor would have a small ford passenger car 5x4.5 pattern.
(And that the center hub diameter of the truck rotor would be small enough to fit the ford wheel)

[nibulus]

The rotor itself has a double bolt pattern (= 10 holes in total; I guess the other one's 5 x 4,75"), so it basically looks like this (without spacer obviously):



The interesting thing is, it perfectly mounts on the 71-72 spindle.

The only issue I have right now is one new noncircular Cragar wheel rubbing the lower a-arm. Luckily I have another one. I hope it's round.

[BULLITT65]

Ok, you have peaked my interest. I have a 64 C/10 and want to run that rotor with the dual bolt pattern. I saw a pair of wheels that I think only come in a 5 x 4.5 that I really wan to run.
Can you tell me where you grabbed that image from or where to get these rotors, and what other pieces are necessary? I currently have the standard 6 lug, but purchased the 5 x 5 rotors with drop spindels, and 5 x 5 axels.
THANK YOU!

[nachodog2]

Interested in those rorors as well
Posted via Mobile Device

[nibulus]

I haven't done too much research about these rotors, so I'm not a particulary good source for info...

Nevertheless, the image comes from http://daymotorsports.com/prodindex....Brakes~Rotors~

[BULLITT65]

Can you take a picture of the front of the rotor? It would be awesome to know what the diameter of the spindels are as well. You just bought the truck, would the seller know what they came off of?

[nibulus]

I'm not sure if I'll have time to go to the garage this week, but next week I will go there for sure. I'll take some photos for you. I'm quite busy next week as well due to a classic car exhibition, but I'll do my best to post them here asap.

The previous owner didn't even know the bolt pattern, so I'm pretty sure he doesn't know further details. He didn't build it himself either. He bought it, had no time (and required skills to fix it?) and passed it on.

Plus I'm not too eager of contacting him again, as I probably couldn't resist mentioning the (big) gap between what he told me regarding the truck's condition and how the truck actually was.

The spindles are '71-'72.

Edit: I'm not too experienced with old Chevys, but I'd guess the number of vehicles having the same rotor center bore diameter as the 71-72 C10 and a 5 x 4,5" bolt pattern should not be too high. Unfortunately I haven't done much research in this matter, since as soon as the rotors are dead, I'll switch to 5 x 5".

[BULLITT65]

Thanks for all the help, I am very interested in seeing the pictures when you are able to post them. I may have the same spindles, mine are drop the 2" drop spindles. I agree there couldn't be to many rotors out there with this same pattern, inside diameter, and 5 x 4.5 style, thats why I am so interested in figuring out what they are so I can order them. So when you switch the rotors, are you going to change wheels again?

[nibulus]

Well yes and no. I currently have 5 x 4.5" in the front and 5 x 5" PCD in the back. I have no idea why, but I guess the previous-previous owner had some good reason for it...

I already have a set of Cragars with PCD 4.5/4.75 and have another set of Cragars with 5 x 5/5.5" being shipped over as we speak. So I'll start with the current rotors until they're dead and then switch the rotors and wheels in the front to 5 x 5". And finally sell the Cragars with the smaller bolt pattern.

Bit of a hassle, but that's life.

If I'd live in the states, I'd probably sell the rotors and switch over to 5x5" straight away. But I don't.