Help with rear suspension...

[Portmod7]

That is a bump stop mount for the rear end. It is factory. You're missing the rubber bump stop that fits in it.

I've got no clue what that rear end is. You might check out the No-Limit panhard kit, it would probably fix you right up, I'm not sure how much it costs though. I believe it mounts the panhard to the right side trailing arm instead of the rear end housing, so it would eliminate using the mount that on your rear end. But, like tubbedII said earlier, if the previous owner didn't get the perches in the right spot, just the panhard kit won't fix it.

I believe there are other companies that make the same style of kit if you look around.

[ScottG]

Thanks, I'll check it out.

[BMERDOC]

Yeah, definately not the right diff. The correct one had the panard rod bolt bracket cast into the housing. You are probably gonna wanna start there to get this thing sorted. I rooked a quick pic off the web to show you what some of this stuff should look like.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by BMERDOC

Yeah, definately not the right diff. The correct one had the panard rod bolt bracket cast into the housing. You are probably gonna wanna start there to get this thing sorted. I rooked a quick pic off the web to show you what some of this stuff should look like.

67-72 C10's had them cast into the differential housing. Did C20's??

Go w/an aftermarket 'long' Panhard bar from No Limit or Porterbuilt. It eliminates the need for the differential mount altogether plus the longer the bar, the better (less side shift).

[ScottG]

i found this pic, mine (on the bottom) looks similar from a '71 c20

[gofast68c20]

The axle is an Eaton which is factory. The C20 came with an Eaton or Dana 60.
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[Portmod7]

Ha Ha, that figures... I was asking myself "how could the guy who put the rest of the suspension on that truck have done such a clean job with the panhard mount On the housing?"

Good info!
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[ScottG]

Thanks for the info! This was really freaking me out. Now I can just continue on with getting this mess straightened out.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by ScottG

Thanks for the info! This was really freaking me out. Now I can just continue on with getting this mess straightened out.

I would do the aftermarket long bar & eliminate that factory housing bracket if it was possible (budget, etc...).

[BMERDOC]

You learn something new everyday! Valuable info.

[ScottG]

So here's where I'm at with this: Continuing on with rebuilding the front end. Lost the puller I borrowed from a co-worker somehow, so I'll resume tomorrow. Upper ball joints look new, but are shot. So I'll be replacing those as well. Idler arm looks wrong, but I'll know for sure when I get it apart. Getting the front springs out might have been one of the scariest things I've ever done. Nut was literally hand tight! Check out the difference in the springs...






Oh yeah, I bought this with a co-worker today. Cost us next to nothing!

[tubbedII]

Originally Posted by ScottG

Nut was literally hand tight!

If it was driven like this, be sure to check out the taper in the spindle where the BJ goes for rounding. This happened in my S10 and the castle nuts would back off breaking the cotter pin and eventually the arm would separate from the BJ (luckily it happened while I was pretty much stopped). Had to replace the spindle so it wouldn't happen again.

[ScottG]

Thanks, good point. I'll check that out tonight.

[ScottG]

So I've finally got the front end rebuilt. New tie rods, pitman and idler arms, new lower ball joints, and the correct springs. Get everything together, wheels on and the camber is WAY off! No big deal, right? I'll just pull out the massive of shims, and get it aligned. NO! Passenger side went easily, left the 2 original looking shims in and have just a little camber. The driver side is a nightmare! No shims, someone used washers! So, I guess it's coming back apart to fix that mess. Not happy at all!

[502ms]

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[502ms]

Nice GMC

Don't worry, you will get it soon
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[69gmcc10]

Good luck getting this sorted out, it's not difficult just time consuming. Keep us posted and the pictures coming!

[ScottG]

Isn't that the truth. gonna rip her back apart tonight after work. I'll try to remember to take pics.

[ScottG]

Ok, finally got this mess all sorted out. Front end has been rebuilt, rear end lowered to stock height. I just need to get an alignment. Oh yeah, I'd also like to get the correct panhard bar as well.







My wife chose to get in the picture...


Still looks like I've got some camber to be corrected, and toe as well.

[SCOTI]

Will you be removing the body lift as well?

[Southcity]

good job and nice progress - I think your truck looks good as it sits now - slap that hood on there, drive it and take some more pics.

[ScottG]

Thanks! I am going to remove the body lift.The cab and the bed don't line up right from the lift. I've been driving it a little this weekend. Gonna take her to work tomorrow to see if I can fit it on our alignment rack.

[Riveted1]

Looks like you're getting it sorted out. That P/O setup was scary to say the least!

[ScottG]

It was really spooky, some of the stuff they did. Just trying to figure out what came from where was a chore, but I learned a lot, and have the satisfaction of doing it myself. This forum has been a HUGE help to me, and I'm so thankful I found it!

[69gmcc10]

Are you gonna add a sway bar? I see the bushings on the trailing arms, but not on the frame, how is the bottom of the front crossmsmber mounted to the frame rails?