1961 C10 Coil Conversion - Narrow rear end?
 

Iv got a 1961 C10 Apache Short Bed and wanting to switch the front end over to something newer with disk breaks and also support a heavy big block motor. It currently has torsion bars up front and truck bars in the rear. Would love to have coils upfront like the 64's and up i think??... Its getting a 502 big block so need a front end that will hold the weight. Is there a good swap to do, or a good compleat kit i could buy? In the rear i want to put pretty wide tires, and need to narrow the axle a lot, what are you guys doing to get it narrow. Cant decide if its more cost and time effective to 4 link it and narrow the frame, or do something with the truck bars? Any info would be greatly appreciated thanks!

Re: 1961 C10 Coil Conversion - Narrow rear end?
 

if you are going that wide, 4 link and narrowed rear is probably your best bet, up front you can switch to a 73-87 cross member, that will get you coils and disc brakes, or if you have some $$$$ porterbuilt sells a few different dropmembers for the 60-62, coil, coilover, and bag I think.

markbe01 has a good writeup of putting the 73-87 on a early frame,http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=366850
and 1bad62 prostreet has some info on how he put some wide m/T's on his 62.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=321173

Re: 1961 C10 Coil Conversion - Narrow rear end?
 

If you look for a "big 10" or "heavy half" crossmember, you can bolt it right in (drill and elongate a couple of extra holes in your frame but not too hard) and it will be able to handle a little more front end weight. I think they were 77-79?

I bought mine for my 62 over in Arvada.

Not sure about your rear end question: the 60-62 chassis is different than the 63-66. Doing the 4 link might be a challenge.

Re: 1961 C10 Coil Conversion - Narrow rear end?
 

The trailing arms and coils are actually a very good setup. There are a few guys over in the Racing and High Performance section running pretty quick with them. Of course they need to be in good condition and it would be a good idea to reinforce them. As fro the differential, you will need to have the housing narrowed and buy a set of aftermarket axles. This is not something the average guy can go in his garage. You need the proper jigs and adequate welder. Then the housing needs to be straightened after all the brackets are welded on.

Re: 1961 C10 Coil Conversion - Narrow rear end?
 

I didn't see anywhere in the post about HOW wide you want to go? On my stock width 71 12-bolt, with a tubbed bed, stock width framerails/66 rear suspension; I can fit a 325/50/15 on a 12" wide rim. I could fit about 3/4" more tire if I roll the edges on the stepside fenders.

I consider that fairly wide, much larger and its what is so eloquently considered a "big-tire car". Even with 550hp, it doesn't really justify the cost, weight, and drag those tires have. Thats just my opinion, but I know plenty of small-tire cars in the 9's.

Re: 1961 C10 Coil Conversion - Narrow rear end?
 

I'm looking to stick a tire in the 12-18 wide range under it. As the 502 going in will blow any tire off the ass end of it haha. Can I use any running gear from a 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton or? What's the diffrance in rear end setup from 61 to 66? Not looking to put a ton of money and work into it haha. Thanks for all the info guys

Re: 1961 C10 Coil Conversion - Narrow rear end?
 

I can setup a suspension that won't blow the tires off with a 502, but its not gonna be cheap.

You can get a set of 15" wide tires to break free if the suspension bounces around everywhere.

I'm a little rusty on the 60-62 as you guys had the x-frame, making some interchanges a tad different. But I"m pretty sure this all still applies. Normally for the 63-66 crowd, I recommend going to the 67-72 or 73-87 stuff and swapping to 5lug. It makes wheels easier to get, the parts are readily available and not too expensive. I usually would take the rear axle as well.

We used to have a better FAQ, the new one throw me off....but check out some of the threads on disc brake upgrades, as they explain most of the stuff.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=263983

Going to trailing arm rear suspension isn't terribly difficult either, and its pretty darn effective. The trailing arm rear is whats on my '66, and allow me to fit the tire I mentioned above.

IMO, don't get hung up on how big your tires are. You get to a point of diminishing returns on the street, and you might actually slow your track times down with too much tire.