77 Suburban Parts on a 65 C-!0?

[Boot]

Hey all, Im still very new to these forums, and while I am pretty handy in the garage, my experience is lacking. I want to do the Disc Brake swap as I read here
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=209956

My Truck is a 65 C-10 Step-side Inline 6 with a 3 speed on the floor.

I have located a possible donor vehicle 77 Suburban, will the "upper and lower control arms with the spindles attached" bolt right up like if it was a pick-up truck?

In my head all the suspension and brakes should be the same maybe a little more beefier.

Along with the the power steering, steering column, brake system, I will also want to drag the 350 and the Turbo 400 over maybe other bits as I look into it.

Sorry if these are dumb questions, but I've never done something to this magnitude before I usually use the parts made for the truck on the truck. And while I know there are kits to do the same, this way seems a lot more economical as the amount of upgrades I can do basically for the price of 1 disc brake conversion kit.


Thanks in advance for any tidbits ya throw to me.

[joe231]

1/2 ton suburban?
the sub parts are the same as the trucks.
everything should work no problem

[DWright]

the power steering stuff would work too? i've got a '77 1 ton 4wd truck and i cant really use any thing off of it but the brake booster and master cylinder.

[Captainfab]

Originally Posted by Boot

Hey all, Im still very new to these forums, and while I am pretty handy in the garage, my experience is lacking. I want to do the Disc Brake swap as I read here
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=209956

My Truck is a 65 C-10 Step-side Inline 6 with a 3 speed on the floor.

I have located a possible donor vehicle 77 Suburban, will the "upper and lower control arms with the spindles attached" bolt right up like if it was a pick-up truck?

In my head all the suspension and brakes should be the same maybe a little more beefier.

Along with the the power steering, steering column, brake system, I will also want to drag the 350 and the Turbo 400 over maybe other bits as I look into it.

Sorry if these are dumb questions, but I've never done something to this magnitude before I usually use the parts made for the truck on the truck. And while I know there are kits to do the same, this way seems a lot more economical as the amount of upgrades I can do basically for the price of 1 disc brake conversion kit.


Thanks in advance for any tidbits ya throw to me.

Everything you mentioned will work on your '65 C10. Pickups, Suburbans and Blazers are all built on the same platform. The one thing that won't work is a 4X steering box on a 2wd.

[joe231]

it is my understanding that all you need for the 4x4 box to work is a 2wd pitman arm...the gear boxes are the same


dunno if the 1 tons are the same as the 1/2 tons though

[DWright]

thats just my luck. i got that piece of a truck for the 350 in it and now i've decided to just build the 250 (more fun, but expensive) that truck is just gonna have to rust away behind the shop for now.

[Captainfab]

Originally Posted by joe231

it is my understanding that all you need for the 4x4 box to work is a 2wd pitman arm...the gear boxes are the same


dunno if the 1 tons are the same as the 1/2 tons though

The 4x4 box sector shaft is different than the 2wd version. The 4x4 one has one key on the shaft so the pitman arm can go on only one way, plus the pitman arm has a bolt thru it horizontally that clamps the arm to the shaft. The 2wd sector shaft has 4 keys so that the arm cam be placed in 4 positions 90 degrees apart, and the shaft has threads on the end for a nut and lock washer to hold the pitman arm onto the shaft. The gearboxes them selves are the same, just the sector shafts are different. And yes the shafts are interchangeable between the 2wd and 4wd.

And a litle tidbit of info, 2wd steering boxes (or just the sector shaft) are commonly swapped onto 4x4's when converting to crossover steering due to the 4 way keyed shaft.

[Boot]

awesome, I was pretty certain they were built off the same platform just needed a little reassurance. Going by after work today to look at the possible donor. Thanks for the information

[TwiggyTheDrummer]

Originally Posted by DWright

thats just my luck. i got that piece of a truck for the 350 in it and now i've decided to just build the 250 (more fun, but expensive) that truck is just gonna have to rust away behind the shop for now.

Shoot, send it my way.

[joe231]

good info John

[protrash64]

I'll throw in my .02 also. From reading about these swaps, most run into issues with the idler arm mounting and you will need to fabricate or purchase an adaptor plate for mounting the power steering box. The other issue that others have run into is the tie-rod ends when swapping spindles. If you are using all stock stuff its not an issue at all.

I think using a donor vehicle is about the most cost effective way to put together a truck and its a great idea......'get it on!'

[Chuck78]

CaptainFab on here makes the adapter bracket you need to mount that steering box on your frame, and for almost half the price of the CPP version. See his related thread on here.

[joe231]

yeah and take lots of pics to share with us

[Boot]

@protrash64

Thanks for the added info, I will keep that in mind, Im quiet certain all the stuff on my truck is stock, I will be sure to find out about the donor.

@Chuck78
I have been eyeballing CaptainFab's adapter plate and will more than likely purchase one when I have my donor.

@joe231
Pics will definitely be taken and shared


Well the donor visit got postponed due to rain, till Tuesday

[Boot]

Got the Donor. Ran pretty good on the way home cant wait to swap the 350 into the 65 too I angered the wife on the way home with it. I did a burn out and the muffler and tail pipe came off while She was following me. She avoided it, but I couldn't help but to laugh.




Now waiting for a couple days off work to do the swap. And I need to pick up some brackets from Captainfab

[joe231]

is that a 3/4 ton Sub?

[Boot]

Originally Posted by joe231

is that a 3/4 ton Sub?

Maybe... Did I screw up?

Embarrassed how do I tell?

[joe231]

not if you want 8 lug disc brakes, I don't know for sure but I think the 3/4 lower arm takes a different ball joint than the 1/2....someone on here will know

[Boot]

Originally Posted by joe231

not if you want 8 lug disc brakes, I don't know for sure but I think the 3/4 lower arm takes a different ball joint than the 1/2....someone on here will know

Ohh its 5 lug, so probably 1/2 ton

[joe231]

yeah it is 1/2 ton if it is 5 lug....your all good

[Captainfab]

Yep, that's the way to do it.....a whole donor rig. Now you have most everything you need to upgrade your '65.