Drop Spindles For C20

[allytle]

Do they make drop spindles for the 63 C20? I haven't been able to find any to use without a conversion. I was just going to run the drum brakes and 8 lugs.

[chevy_mike]

No drop spindles are available for any drum brakes, regardless of lug pattern. POL does make a C20 drop spindle that uses 8 lug disc brakes.

[allytle]

Originally Posted by chevy_mike

No drop spindles are available for any drum brakes, regardless of lug pattern. POL does make a C20 drop spindle that uses 8 lug disc brakes.

Thank you! I want to drop my front end maybe 4"-6". Looking at my options.

[Cooper197]

Find a half ton front subframe and convert to 5 or 6 lug. Way better wheel options.
That's what I did with my C20 and it was worth every penny of it!

[allytle]

Originally Posted by Cooper197

Find a half ton front subframe and convert to 5 or 6 lug. Way better wheel options.
That's what I did with my C20 and it was worth every penny of it!

That's about where I am at. At least cost wise for sure. I found a 75 C10 an hour away for $350. I'm waiting to hear back what's left of the front end.

[chevy_mike]

Well you didn't say if you wanted to convert to 5 or 6 lug and disc brakes. Early Classic Enterprise makes a C20 to C10 conversion spindles. This allows you to keep all of your C20 parts (ball joints, tie rods, A arms, etc.) but mount the 5 or 6 lug rotor for a C10 setup.

Downside is your bolt pattern will not match front to rear. Rear would require an axle swap.

POL does make a C20 drop spindle that will allow you to use disc brakes (8 lug).

[allytle]

Originally Posted by chevy_mike

Well you didn't say if you wanted to convert to 5 or 6 lug and disc brakes. Early Classic Enterprise makes a C20 to C10 conversion spindles. This allows you to keep all of your C20 parts (ball joints, tie rods, A arms, etc.) but mount the 5 or 6 lug rotor for a C10 setup.

Downside is your bolt pattern will not match front to rear. Rear would require an axle swap.

POL does make a C20 drop spindle that will allow you to use disc brakes (8 lug).

You're right. I wasn't looking to convert. I was trying to find the cheapest easiest way to lower the front end 4"-6". I assumed I could get drop spindles without changing out brakes. I have them on my VW bug with drum brakes. But yeah, way different car. haha
So now I'm exploring my options. I don't mind if the lug pattern is different. I'm putting dually's on the back with a smaller wheel up front so I won't carry a spare. I have a great trade out deal with a local tow company. haha
It's kind of a gimmick truck anyway. I'll drive it a mile to work most days so it can sit in front and advertise my shop and use it for events.

[TheRedBarron]

Either swap in a C10 front end and swap the rear end. I picked up the drop spindles from ECE to get 2.5", and converting to 5x5 lugs. I also have a GM 10 bolt rear end in 5x5 out of a 97 1500 that I will swap with some fabrication. Just note that if you go discs, you can use most years of the 6 lugs- but they only made 5 lugs from 71 and up. Not to mention you will also have to install a master cylinder, brake booster with a proportioning valve. Someone on here makes a nice bracket for that.

Do you have coils up front or torsion bars?

[allytle]

Originally Posted by TheRedBarron

Either swap in a C10 front end and swap the rear end. I picked up the drop spindles from ECE to get 2.5", and converting to 5x5 lugs. I also have a GM 10 bolt rear end in 5x5 out of a 97 1500 that I will swap with some fabrication. Just note that if you go discs, you can use most years of the 6 lugs- but they only made 5 lugs from 71 and up. Not to mention you will also have to install a master cylinder, brake booster with a proportioning valve. Someone on here makes a nice bracket for that.

Do you have coils up front or torsion bars?

I have coils. That's where I think I'm at, looking for a donor truck right now. Hopefully I can get all that stuff from the same truck.

[chevy_mike]

If you have a GOOD skilled welder who can modify your front control arms, you can do the old school way, doing "dropped" control arms. This was done before the days of dropped spindles. I had a set from SoLow Suspensions from way back. You can basically do the same thing. Here are a couple pics. You can do a 2" drop this way and then do dropped springs.

[allytle]

Originally Posted by chevy_mike

If you have a GOOD skilled welder who can modify your front control arms, you can do the old school way, doing "dropped" control arms. This was done before the days of dropped spindles. I had a set from SoLow Suspensions from way back. You can basically do the same thing. Here are a couple pics. You can do a 2" drop this way and then do dropped springs.

Dang that is slick!

[The Rocknrod]

Wonder if these would help?
https://www.performanceonline.com/71...e-2-half-inch/

[chevy_mike]

Originally Posted by The Rocknrod

Wonder if these would help?
https://www.performanceonline.com/71...e-2-half-inch/

Those were the ones I was talking about from POL. Only ones I know that allow a drop and disc brakes, keeping the 3/4 ton stuff.

[jcramsey]

Originally Posted by The Rocknrod

Wonder if these would help?
https://www.performanceonline.com/71...e-2-half-inch/

Those are for a 71-87...would you still have to swap the crossmember/control arms to use them?

[chevy_mike]

Originally Posted by jcramsey

Those are for a 71-87...would you still have to swap the crossmember/control arms to use them?

Should just be able to swap ball joints and possibly tie rod ends. I think they list them that way because '71 was the first year they had factory disc brakes. They would bolt on reusing all of your original equipment.

In this day and age of parts, no one should ever need to swap a crossmember for any reason.

[allytle]

Originally Posted by chevy_mike

In this day and age of parts, no one should ever need to swap a crossmember for any reason.

So I would be wasting my time with the crossmember? I think I'm going to jump on this 75 that's near by and was going to switch it all out. The engine is coming out anyway.

[Captainfab]

Before someone buys those spindles, I would suggest checking to be sure that the '71-'87 lower ball joints will actually press into the '63-'66 C20 lower control arms.

Originally Posted by chevy_mike

Should just be able to swap ball joints and possibly tie rod ends. I think they list them that way because '71 was the first year they had factory disc brakes. They would bolt on reusing all of your original equipment.

In this day and age of parts, no one should ever need to swap a crossmember for any reason.

[allytle]

Just talked to my tow truck buddy. We do a trade out deal. Says he got 4 or 5 C10's I can pick through and take whatever parts I want. I'm stoked.

[chevy_mike]

Originally Posted by allytle

So I would be wasting my time with the crossmember? I think I'm going to jump on this 75 that's near by and was going to switch it all out. The engine is coming out anyway.

Yes, swapping crossmembers is a waste of time and effort. ALL of the later model stuff will bolt on outside of having to drill new mounting holes for the pass. side idler arm. You want to get all of the steering linkage and swap that over as well (really just need the center link if you replace all of the wear items that likely should be replaced anyways).

[Captainfab]

When converting a '63-'66 C20 to a C10, you must change the crossmember as well. You can not simply bolt up any later model lower control arms as there are no saddles to locate them with.

Changing the entire suspension including the crossmember is not a big deal at all if the engine is out of the truck. You can easily have the suspension changed, power steering box bolted up and the later model idler arm mounted should you choose to go that route, in a weekend.

[chevy_mike]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

When converting a '63-'66 C20 to a C10, you must change the crossmember as well. You can not simply bolt up any later model lower control arms as there are no saddles to locate them with.

Changing the entire suspension including the crossmember is not a big deal at all if the engine is out of the truck. You can easily have the suspension changed, power steering box bolted up and the later model idler arm mounted should you choose to go that route, in a weekend.

Really??? The set of lower control C20 control arms I had at one time looked like they had the same cross shaft as the C10 and mounted the same. Maybe I had some '67-'72 arms. Hummm.....

[allytle]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

When converting a '63-'66 C20 to a C10, you must change the crossmember as well. You can not simply bolt up any later model lower control arms as there are no saddles to locate them with.

Changing the entire suspension including the crossmember is not a big deal at all if the engine is out of the truck. You can easily have the suspension changed, power steering box bolted up and the later model idler arm mounted should you choose to go that route, in a weekend.

That's kinda what I was thinking I was going to do. I watched a video of a guy doing it and it seemed like a piece of cake. Had the tires on and everything. He just rolled it from one truck to the other.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by allytle

That's kinda what I was thinking I was going to do. I watched a video of a guy doing it and it seemed like a piece of cake. Had the tires on and everything. He just rolled it from one truck to the other.

Won't your donor parts be wore out?
Or do you plan to rebuild everything first?
Balljoints, tie rods, idler arm, pitman arm, and a-arm bushings.

[allytle]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Won't your donor parts be wore out?
Or do you plan to rebuild everything first?
Balljoints, tie rods, idler arm, pitman arm, and a-arm bushings.

I do plan on rebuilding it, yes. I was just talking about how easy the swap was.

[Captainfab]

Here is a pic of a '63-'66 C20 and C30 lower control arm. Notice the shape of the shaft and the 4 mounting holes.

Originally Posted by chevy_mike

Really??? The set of lower control C20 control arms I had at one time looked like they had the same cross shaft as the C10 and mounted the same. Maybe I had some '67-'72 arms. Hummm.....