Newbie intro and a few questions

[Stubnosebrock]

Hey all. This is my first post here. My name is Brandon and I am 25 years old. I just this week bought a 66 C10 LWB fleetside. I used to own this truck in my high school days. I originally bought it with a worn out 307. I eventually swapped it out for a mild 355 that I bought from a local engine builder. This in a nut shell started my love for hot rods and muscle cars. I drove the truck for a while until the center pin broke in the rear and I lost both axles going to work one day. I had plans to fix the truck, and did put another rear in it. I never did drive the truck again. I thought i had to have a short bed truck, and bought a 74 SWB fleetside. I pulled the engine from the 66 and sent it down the road. As time went on, I always wanted the truck back. The guy that got it from me did nothing with the truck all these years. I finally struck a deal this week and bought my old truck back. Its exactly the same as it was when I let it go, just alot more rust. This is a big project and will take a lot of body work. But this gives me the chance to build the truck the way I always wanted, when my minimum wage job wouldn't allow it. Im sure I will have lots of questions. My first is this. Im going to leave the drum brakes on the front. I want to swap to 5 lug. My rear already is 5 lug. Does anyone know of a 5 lug hub that will work on the front? Thanks is advance.

[drogers]

Welcome and congratulations on getting your truck back. There's a ton of info on this site about 5 lug conversions on the front. I have a link in my sig with the one I did. Look forward to seeing some pictures...

[Captainfab]

Welcome to the forum Brandon

Neat story about getting your truck back.

Why stay with drums on the front when 5 lug discs are so easy and relatively cheap to do? Much better stopping power. Besides I don't know of any 5 lug hubs that will work on those spindles.

[Stubnosebrock]

Thanks for Welcomes! My first thought was that I would be money ahead to leave the drums. The more Ive been looking, I doubt I would. Not only can I not find hubs to use, after figuring all the parts I would need just to renew the drums, i could put discs on it. I will need a new master cylinder either way. I found a disc conversion kit that uses the stock drum brake spindles. Anyone ever use those?

[Clyde65]

Welcome from the Republic of Texas!

Go with the spidles/brakes/power booster and mc off a 73-87 gm truck. cheap parts and much better stopping for todays roads

[Stubnosebrock]

Hey Clyde. thanks for the reply. The 73-87 spindles will work with the stock 66 control arms? Ive never really heard of anybody doing this swap yet, so im just making sure. If so where are the caliper brackets available? I would imagine the rest you can get pretty much anywhere. Thanks again

[Stubnosebrock]

I have been looking at some of the stuff CPP has. They have a kit that uses my stock spindles for less than 400 bucks. I doubt i can even buy the 73-87 stuff new for that much.

[Clyde65]

If you mean A-arms then yes, but you can replace the upper and lower a-arms with the 73-87 donor truck, the newer cross shafts are rebuildable down the road, the older ones arent good to rebuild. You just remove the upper and lower ball joints and basically swap the complete spindles and a-arms, you will need to use the donors outer tye rods though.

If it were me, which it was last year, I slowly bought all the replacement parts and then did the rebuild and upgrade, I used 71-72 spindles though. now I have not only the discs, not only the 5 lug but I also have a completely rebuilt front suspension that is completely safe for years.

I bet you can get the whole front suspension from a 73-87 for $100.00. however, you will need new brake pads, bearings, and all that. you could also do a spring drop if you were wanting to do that, or you can put a drop spindles in. yes you can go with CPP, they have great products, talk to Jeff if you call and tell him your on this board. or you can PM him/email him and get pricing with shipping.