C20 front end help!

[boostedc20]

I know this has been discussed but I am driving myself crazy looking for an answer to my problems. I have a 1965 C20 that I am trying to rebuild the front suspension and upgrade to disc brakes. I ordered a complete disc brake conversion kit from POL for a C10 thinking there wasn't much different. I didn't realize I had an issue until I pressed in the lower ball joints. So now I am wondering if I could swap in a set of C10 lower control arms or order the ECE conversion spindles and scrap my new C10 tie rods and ball joints. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Woogeroo]

check out your 60-66 FAQ Index, Brakes category and look for a thread called : "Drum to Disc" Conversion FAQ 60-70 : January 2011 : FAQ Truck Tech

Also check out the Disc Brake Upgrade Reference Thread.

There is a lot of information in those threads about what swaps where and what years... not stating you will find your answer, but it is a good place to start.

Also, check out the other threads in the Brakes category, you may find some golden nugget of information.

Let us know what you find out or wind up doing.

-W

[Cooper197]

I know on my '66 C20, we swapped out the LCA's and then dropped the C10 spindles right on.

[boostedc20]

I was thinking of having my new C10 spindles that came with the disc brake conversion reamed to fit the c20 LCA and ball joints. Seems to be the most cost-effective fix I could come up with. Has anyone had any luck with this? I was ready to order the ECE conversion spindles but I already have all new C10 tie rods.

[Captainfab]

The '63-'66 C20/30's lower control arm shafts are flat where they bolt to the crossmember. Consequently there are no saddles to accept the C10 lower control arms which have round shafts where they attach to the crossmember. IMO the easiest fix is to change the entire suspension, crossmember and all for a '73-'86 C10 or '87-'91 R1500 front suspension.

[B_Bob]

This is what I've got going for my 3/4 ton conversion to 1/2 ton. It's the whole front end from a '74 C10. I'm told it's the easiest way to update to bushing control arms and disk brakes.