Newbie here !!

[sandfreek]

Hi guys, new here but not new with these trucks (well maybe I am)...

I have a 66 c20 that me and my dad have been working on for a good 12 years on and off... My dad has been sick for some time now and I am bringing the truck back to my house to finish and give back to him when done to cruise around.... He has had the truck since 1976 and he gave it to me in 1997 where I converted it to disc brakes (8 lug) added power steering and brakes... Rebuilt the motor and added A.C..... Then I got a divorce so I gave it back to him, she was'nt going to get the truck too!!!

My question is I want to convert it to 1/2 ton... I have been reading alot on this great sight and see there are several ways to go... my dad got a front cross member and rear end years ago but he cant remember what year it is.. I checked it out and the rear is set up for leaf spring and the front is disc 5 on 5 lug pattern... I think it may be from a 71-72 GMC but not sure??? I think the GMCs had leaf in the rear???

I like the idea of using 73 and up arms and spindle but the lower a-arm on my 3/4 ton has a flat bar going across where it mount to the crossmember not the round mounting bar on the ones I have seen...So will the 73 and up lower a-arm mount up properly or do I need the whole crossmember???

Any help would be great!!! Oh, and my name is Ron and Im addicted to this truck again!!!

[joe231]

Hey Ron,


I don't have first hand experience with the C20's, but I am picking one up next month.
I plan on converting to 8 lug discs so I'm interested in the answer...
But anyway, jason65 converted his C20 over to 5 lug, I'm sure he (or some of the others with the experience) will chime in here soon
Once again, welcome to the family!!

[sandfreek]

Thanks Joe!!!

Pick a part is havin a 1/2 off sale starting Friday, so come on guys hook a brother up with sum info....

[joe231]

have you read the "for those doing disc brake swap 60-66" thread?
I think all the info you are looking for is there.....

[sandfreek]

Yea I looked at the whole thing but am still confused about the way my lower arm mounts being flat and not round... If I remember right the 1/2 tonn crossmember has craddles in it to accept the lower arm that is round... If that makes sence to you???

[Chevy Fleetside]

this is a picture of 75 chevy upper and lower control arms bolted up to a 65 crossmember. I also used the center link and idler arm from the 75.

[sandfreek]

Thanks Chevy Fleet!!

Was your 65 a 3/4 ton before you went to the disc set-up??? Not sure if when I remove a 1/2 ton lower arm the craddles will come with it or if they are part of the crossmember....

[Captainfab]

Welcome to the board Ron

The lower control arm shaft saddles are welded to the main crossmember. You should be able to remove them from your donor front suspension. If you don't have the equip to weld them on, you should be able to install everything and drive it to a weld shop to have them stitched on. I haven't done the swap you are talking about, but I'm pretty sure that the bolt pattern that attach the C20 'flat' style LCA shafts is the same as the round shafts. If I may make a suggestion, when you do make the swap, upgrade to the larger/later model LCA U-bolts.

[sandfreek]

Thanks so much captinfab... Seems like it would be best to just roll out the whole crossmember from the doner.... Which is the best years to go with for this transition and will it be the 5on5 bolt patern as the rear that I am going to install???? Thanks Ron

[Captainfab]

Any '71-'87 front suspension will install with minimal drilling. The '73-'87's are more widely used since they seem to be more plentiful. Yes all the C10's from '71-'87 will be a 5 x 5 wheel bolt pattern. Although you can get 6 lug rotors to fit the spindles. Here's another option for a 6 lug front, since you have the C20 front suspension already.....
http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...ad.php?t=35042
This is what I am gathering parts for to install on my '66 Burb

[sandfreek]

might check into that last idea!! I didnt see that one yet, looks interesting for sure if my lower ball joint is the same size needed... Thanks

[Chevy Fleetside]

Mine was a 1/2 ton and the craddles are welded to the crossmember. I just bolted the control arms up.

[joe231]

the cradles I have seen are not welded, they are riveted.

[sandfreek]

Hum, if they are riveted then I might just grind them off and put them on my crossmember... I dont want to pull the motor cuz I will just end up spending a ton more money on it, but then again it could use a bigger cam and the paint is looking a little dull... See here I go again!!!!

[Captainfab]

Originally Posted by joe231

the cradles I have seen are not welded, they are riveted.

I stand corrected......don't know why I typed that, I know they are riveted. I guess I was just thinking of welding them onto the new crossmember.

[joe231]

everyone makes mistakes....well almost everyone

sandfreek, you will probably need to drill the rivets, then use a chisel to pop the heads off.....dunno if you will be able to get a grinder in there.....

[sandfreek]

Thanks guys, going over to dads today to get them off the crossmember laying in the mud.... I would use that one but it has been siting there for a long time and it is rusted and all the rubber is hammered from the sun plus its missing the rotors and calipers...

Im going to pick a part tommorow (1/2 off ) to look for 73-87 arms, spindles,calipers,steering assembly and possibly a booster/master cyl ...

Anything else you guys think I will need to do the swap???

[protrash64]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

I stand corrected......don't know why I typed that, I know they are riveted. I guess I was just thinking of welding them onto the new crossmember.

.... its ok, Cap'n. Only Joe231's are welded!!!!!