How hard is it to swap front end from 65 to 73-87?

[1965 C-10]

I have read that the 60-66 chevy c-10 is a really good suspension, but I have also heard you can swap a 73-87 front end including disc brakes and power steering, how hard is it to do, I am near a few Pick N Pull salvage yards, so I could get it all for pretty good bargain. Or can I just use the spindles off the later model trucks to add disc brakes, from what I have seen the parts look really the same.

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[Mongo]

the only thing you need is the uper and lower A-arms with the spindles attached from 72-up. they bolt right in I used the A-arms and spindles off of a 88 chevy 3/4 ton van on my 66 c10. also get the proportioning vlave if you can along with the brake booster.


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Mongo - 30 miles west Of Protland OR.
66 chevy fleet side
1/2 converted to 3/4 ton
ZZ4 crate motor w/700R-4
http://66chevy.homestead.com/66ClassicChevy.html
Remember PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID, BUT THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.

[1965 C-10]

So I can use the parts off of a 72-88 chevy 1/2 ton pickup or van? How much better will my truck stop with power disc brakes? If I could just get the back brakes from locking up, I think it would stop pretty good. And if I do this swap, what about wheel alignment, does it stay the same, or tell the shop to align it to the other vehicle's specs?

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1965 Chevy C-10 shortbed fleetside, 327,th350,3.73 to 1

[67_SS396]

You do not have to replace the a-arms when going with the later front end... Just the spindle and ball joints. It will stop 100 times better than the old manual drums. Get the center link as well as the later model tie rod ends while you're at it. It is a very easy swap to do, and it's worth more than you'll ever spend in my opinion.

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67 SHORT STEP 396/Powerglide, 3.73's All the normal go fast
goodies. Power discs and
power steering.

2000 Silverado
1998 Nissan Frontier

Have you beaten a F*rd Lately?

[1965 C-10]

Sounds like a good plan. This truck really leans over on turns, feels like your in a carnival ride where you get slung to the side of the ride, it's got new Gabriel gas shocks all around, that did'nt seem to do anything, maybe the springs and a sway bar kit?And does lowering it help handling or is that just for looks, I like the height it is at now.

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1965 Chevy C-10 shortbed fleetside, 327,th350,3.73 to 1

[67_SS396]

A sway bar and fresh springs should make it handle quite a bit better. I've never delt with drop spindles, so I don't know how they affect handeling. It should do better, just for the fact of dropping your center of gravity with a drop.

[rmfulton]

65:

The 63-66 C-10 front setup is pretty sturdy compared to a 73-87 front. The same set up is used in a lot of commercial vehicles. You can buy suspension parts from your local auto parts store. If you want to add disc brakes, you could add 73-87 1/2 ton spindles (dropped or regular), you would use the outer tie rod ends for the 73-87 spindles, use the 63-66 outer tie rod ends for the "new" inner tie rod ends and just put ball joints for the 73-87 in your original A arms. Fatman Fabrications ($50) or Early Classic makes a tie rod adjuster that allows you to do this. Did this with my 65 and worked like a charm. If you get the front end of the 73-87 you will want to rebuild it anyway. I agree with what has been said. Sounds like the front springs could be bad.

Good Luck,

Mick
65 C-10, LWB, Fleet

[rmfulton]

65:

The 63-66 C-10 front setup is pretty sturdy compared to a 73-87 front. The same set up is used in a lot of commercial vehicles. You can buy suspension parts from your local auto parts store. If you want to add disc brakes, you could add 73-87 1/2 ton spindles (dropped or regular), you would use the outer tie rod ends for the 73-87 spindles, use the 63-66 outer tie rod ends for the "new" inner tie rod ends and just put ball joints for the 73-87 in your original A arms. Fatman Fabrications ($50) or Early Classic makes a tie rod adjuster that allows you to do this. Did this with my 65 and worked like a charm. If you get the front end of the 73-87 you will want to rebuild it anyway. I agree with what has been said. Sounds like the front springs could be bad.

Good Luck,

Mick
65 C-10, LWB, Fleet

[1965 C-10]

Yeah, the suspension looks like it has never been rebuilt, looks crusty, and the truck is pretty easy to make bounce if you push down on, springs must just be tired after 36 years of service.The steering gear box is worn to, lots of slack in the steering wheel.

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1965 Chevy C-10 shortbed fleetside, 327,th350,3.73 to 1