Brake and sway bar upgrade questions

[64C10Fleet]

I know some of you have already learned lessons from doing this stuff the hard way, so I'm hoping to learn from you this time around. Truck is a '64 LWB and currently has an all stock suspension and brake setup with the exception of a dual reservoir master cylinder upgrade.

Plan is to do a disc conversion on the front and install front and rear sway bars. The more I think about it, I'm not sure the rear sway bar will make that much of a difference. I'd like to keep the stock ride height, suspension components, and 15" wheels I have currently. The engine doesn't make enough vacuum with the cam that is installed, so I won't be upgrading to power brakes.

I appreciate any help. I'm willing to buy a complete kit or piece something together.

[Captainfab]

It sounds to me like all you need is a complete '73-'87 front suspension. Those typically have a sway bar. The C20's and the Custom Camper trucks have heavier front sway bars. For a rear sway bar, the 3rd Gen F-body rear bars seem to work fairly well. I recently acquired a rear sway bar from a mid 80's F250 4x4 that looks like it may work.

[64C10Fleet]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

It sounds to me like all you need is a complete '73-'87 front suspension. Those typically have a sway bar. The C20's and the Custom Camper trucks have heavier front sway bars. For a rear sway bar, the 3rd Gen F-body rear bars seem to work fairly well. I recently acquired a rear sway bar from a mid 80's F250 4x4 that looks like it may work.

Eh, I don't wanna swap the front suspension if I don't have to... Any other options? I'm pretty handy when it comes to fabrication, just don't wanna go too crazy. I thought I saw an aftermarket sway bar for the truck somewhere, but I can't seem to find it now.

[jtrichard]

if you do the switch you get the bar and disc ..you can do it several different ways just change the lower a arms and spindles or hole cross member in one piece as for power brakes put hydro boost on it

[64C10Fleet]

Originally Posted by jtrichard

if you do the switch you get the bar and disc ..you can do it several different ways just change the lower a arms and spindles or hole cross member in one piece as for power brakes put hydro boost on it

I read this somewhere on the forum before. Do I have to change the lower control arms AND the spindles? Does this change the suspension geometry at all? I'd rather not change the ride height, kinda like the way it sits as is.

[tincan1966]

You can go a couple different ways-
Buy a kit with stock type spindels that allow you to bolt on disc brakes- they'll use your original ball joints and tie rods.
OR
Get the spindles and brake set up from a '73-'87, and change out your ball joints to the '73-87 type using your original upper and lower A arms. if you go this route, you can use the outer tie rods from a '73-87 and buy conversion adjuster sleeves that will mate them to the original steering linkage.

Either method will require changing out the Master cylinder and installing a proportioning valve and new lines to split the front brake system and the rear.

As far as sway bar- either aftermarket or OEM from a '73-87 are going to require the same amount of work and achieve the same results.

All this info is covered many times over in numerous threads and there 100's of ways to do it.

[scottofksu]

Originally Posted by 64C10Fleet

The more I think about it, I'm not sure the rear sway bar will make that much of a difference.

Just remember, a sway bar induces understeer to the opposite end of the vehicle while increasing oversteer to the installed side of the vehicle. Thus, a rear sway bar will increase front understeer (plowing through corners) while increasing oversteer in the rear. When the truck is balanced (nearly equivalent sized bars front and rear in the neighborhood of 1" to 1 & 1/2") you will notice a slight amount of oversteer in both the front and the rear. This will noticeable increase the ability of the vehicle to take corners at higher speeds. Whether or not you value taking corners at higher speeds is an entirely subjective decision revolving around your intended use of the truck and your driving style.

(See the "Make it Handle" thread in the "Suspension" section...)