Disc Brake Question

[GABE310]

Can I use a 1972 Chevy C10 5 lug disc brake setup on my 1963 Chevy C10?
I have a 1972 C10 that Im parting out that has a complete setup.

[cwcarpenter98]

Yes, you can

[forestb]

with some modification correct? Don't you have to drill the U-bolt holes bigger?

[franken]

I think the idea is to swap the whole front crossmember and suspension. Don't take my word for it though.

[Chevy Fleetside]

You can swap out the whole cross member, You can just use the upper and lower control arms and bolt them up to your existing cross member. You can just use the spindles and the 72 ball joints and just do it that way. There are so many ways to do it. Just pick the way you want.

[LT1 Burb]

Easiest way is to roll out your entire cross member and roll the 72 one into it.

[forestb]

Originally Posted by LT1 Burb

Easiest way is to roll out your entire cross member and roll the 72 one into it.

I'm confused. How is replacing an entire cross member easier than replacing the upper and lower control arms? Especially if the engine is still in the truck.
I've done it and it is far from easy.

[LT1 Burb]

Originally Posted by forestb

I'm confused. How is replacing an entire cross member easier than replacing the upper and lower control arms? Especially if the engine is still in the truck.
I've done it and it is far from easy.

Just because you don't have to deal with compressing coil springs, I have not done it with engine in truck though.

[Captainfab]

I wouldn't even consider the entire suspension swap without taking the engine out.

[lolife99]

Does anyone even rebuild the front suspension anymore?
Bolting up another wore out crossmember seems crazy.
Why wouldn’t you disassemble everything and use new parts?
THEN you can swap to using 1972 upper and lower ball joints.
This would include using all your 71-72 steering linkage to work with your 1972 spindles.

WHAT are you actually reusing?
The center link and the dust shields?
(maybe the 1972 spindles if you don’t add drop spindles)
Everything else will be new.
Inner and outer tie rods.
Brake rotors, calipers and bearings.

Or... buy some 63-70 spindles
(stock or drop height. Same money),... and use your original 63 centerlink and buy 63 parts to rebuild your front end.
Just my opinion,...

[Chevy Fleetside]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Does anyone even rebuild the front suspension anymore?
Bolting up another wore out crossmember seems crazy.
Why wouldn’t you disassemble everything and use new parts?
THEN you can swap to using 1972 upper and lower ball joints.
This would include using all your 71-72 steering linkage to work with your 1972 spindles.

WHAT are you actually reusing?
The center link and the dust shields?
(maybe the 1972 spindles if you don’t add drop spindles)
Everything else will be new.
Inner and outer tie rods.
Brake rotors, calipers and bearings.

Or... buy some 63-70 spindles
(stock or drop height. Same money),... and use your original 63 centerlink and buy 63 parts to rebuild your front end.
Just my opinion,...

You mean like this. That is the cross member from my 65 with square body spindles. I ordered them for a 75. Still not sure if I am going to use the 5 or 6 lug rotors.

[Softpatch]

I put the whole 1972 ( custom) frame under my 1963 c-20
Beside minor mods to the cab mount it worked well
I had PS, PDB up front and HD drums in rear with five lugs
I would do it again... never should has let that go


..... SP

[cwcarpenter98]

I put aftermarket, stock height squarebody spindles on my factory 63 arms using squarebody ball joints. Works great and easily gave me disc brakes

[lolife99]

Very nice. ^^^

[forestb]

After doing it I would not recommend it either.