Conversion help!

[sixty4bigwindow]

Ok, so I have my 64 drum/drum 6 lug setup. Just found a 78 2wd 5 lug disc/drum (not sure of the gears) on Craigslist for a reasonable price.. should I weather the storm on converting the truck to a 5 lug disc/drum? Or buy a brand new front disc conversion kit? And just do the dual drum res for now?? Thanks for the input!

[PGSigns]

The rotors are available at summit pretty reasonable and free shipping. That way you can go disc and keep your wheels and tires. Then you can use the donor for the system split.
Jimmy

[lolife99]

What exactly do you think is re-useable on the 1978 donor truck that isn't wore out?
Spindles and centerlink?
Everything else would need to be replaced.
My opinion,... Donor trucks aren't necessary, since everyone now sells a conversion spindle for the 63-70 drum brake trucks.

[60chevyjim]

I bought a complete 79 front end cross member with everything
and the rear with highway gears and everything is in great shape for $200.
so how each truck was maintained makes a big difference on what will need replaced .
now I can use 96 impala SS wheels on my truck ..

[sixty4bigwindow]

Originally Posted by lolife99

What exactly do you think is re-useable on the 1978 donor truck that isn't wore out?
Spindles and centerlink?
Everything else would need to be replaced.
My opinion,... Donor trucks aren't necessary, since everyone now sells a conversion spindle for the 63-70 drum brake trucks.

See that's my issue, I don't know if it's worth buying a donor truck that I'll eventually have to figure out a way to get rid of the rest of what I don't use just for certain parts that I can buy new after a bit more saving up. Thanks for supporting what I already thought tho!

[sixty4bigwindow]

Originally Posted by 60chevyjim

I bought a complete 79 front end cross member with everything
and the rear with highway gears and everything is in great shape for $200.
so how each truck was maintained makes a big difference on what will need replaced .
now I can use 96 impala SS wheels on my truck ..

And this one is in decent, but replaceable shape. So even if I bought the truck with certain parts I need, I'll have to replace some of them.. wheels aren't a huge deal, especially since 6 lug is becoming more and more common. Thank you for your input! I do love those impala wheels tho, how do they look on your truck??

[60chevyjim]

Originally Posted by sixty4bigwindow

And this one is in decent, but replaceable shape. So even if I bought the truck with certain parts I need, I'll have to replace some of them.. wheels aren't a huge deal, especially since 6 lug is becoming more and more common. Thank you for your input! I do love those impala wheels tho, how do they look on your truck??

I haven't had a chance to work on my 65 yet
im rebuilding another 65 doing a frame off for a friend right now .
here are pictures of a truck with the SS wheels.

[Captainfab]

I would go with the donor truck if you are okay with a stock ride height. That will give you most everything you need from the front to the rear, the brakes and power steering. Yes the parts you get will be used and not all new, but I doubt that everything is worn out. With the donor truck, you can make the conversion replace what needs replaced right now and get your truck back on the road for less money than the aftermarket conversions. Granted there will be things that will need replaced as you drive the truck, but for me it is easier on the budget to pay a little at a time. JMO

[64shortbox]

sixty4bigwindow,
The nice thing about getting a complete truck is that you get EVERYTHING. Also - in my case anyway I wanted to rebuild the front suspension and still be able to drive my truck. Believe it or not I have about $1,000 into my rebuild. poly bushings from Summit, 2 1/2" drop spindles from Summit (CPP brand), new Moog front springs, Raybestos Professional Grade Ball Joints (rock Auto) new 6 lug rotors from CPP, rebuilt Master Cylinder from Auto Zone, rebuilt calipers from Auto Zone, new flex brake hoses, new Hawk brake pads. I didn't replace the center link or the tie rod ends because they are good and easy to replace down the road if ever needed.
Here's the best part I was able to use ALL the factory brake lines & proportioning valve off the 73 C-10. they did require a "little" tweaking and I did have to make a bracket to mount the proportioning valve in the 73 C-10 location. But if i ever need any parts (except for the 6 lug rotors from CPP) I can go to ANY Napa, Auto Zone, Oreilly's etc. and get the part I need.
I'm attaching some pics of the 73 brake lines in my truck - they look like they were made for the truck. Oh, make sure you get the Master Cylinder mounting bracket and Power Steering Box Mounting Bracket from Captianfab - excellent pieces and very reasonably priced.
If you want to get really carried away you can even add the BIG Power Brake Pedal - if your truck is an automatic - and a suspended gas pedal for a more comfortable throttle position.

[sixty4bigwindow]

OK so I just found an 85 at my local wrecking yard with everything in the front end disc for $350 including the rear end with drums. The only issue is that it's a 5 lug. And the gentleman there said that from 71 to 87 that 2wds only came in 5 lug. That didn't sound right to me, but I dint argue. I have my wheels which I would prefer to keep, but if I have to convert to 5 lug I guess I can find new wheels.

[franken]

Spring perches on the rear are spaced differently on the square trucks, so be aware that they'll need to be moved. That's assuming you have leafs in back now.

[Captainfab]

The guy at the wrecking yard is correct. All C10's from '71-'87 had the 5 x 5" wheel stud pattern. The only 6 lug vehicles are the K5 and K10's. You will need to cut the spring perches and shock mounts off and weld on trailing arm mounts at the correct angle as well as a panhard bar mount. I do make trailing arm mounts.

[sixty4bigwindow]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

The guy at the wrecking yard is correct. All C10's from '71-'87 had the 5 x 5" wheel stud pattern. The only 6 lug vehicles are the K5 and K10's. You will need to cut the spring perches and shock mounts off and weld on trailing arm mounts at the correct angle as well as a panhard bar mount. I do make trailing arm mounts.

So what if i just take the front end stuff minus the rotors? What 6 lug rotors could i buy to fit on those spindles? I'd love to keep it six lug.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by sixty4bigwindow

So what if i just take the front end stuff minus the rotors? What 6 lug rotors could i buy to fit on those spindles? I'd love to keep it six lug.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/cl.../applications/

[Captainfab]

You will need aftermarket 6 lug rotors such as the ones Keith linked to above. Most all of the major truck parts suppliers sell them.

[sixty4bigwindow]

Ok so just an update to this, and something i should've mentioned before. I added a power steering box out of a mid 70s truck about a year ago. I had a friend weld a spacer to the frame and bolted the box to it since it didn't fit exact. I didn't replace any of the steering components, and my turning radius is almost nothing from end to end. Looking at it, I'm assuming the pittman arm length is the reason why, but is there something else i would need to replace if i do that? Tie rod ends? Spindles? Or doing the front end off of the 80 (which it sounds like what I'm going to do,) just take all of that and match it up to my current steering box?