Front Suspension-Rebuild-Swap

[67Monster]

Please humor me as I know I'm a bit inept at this point. Browsed more than participated so still new to the forum.

Working on a 1968 C10. I do NOT want to bag this truck. Coil suspension.

Picked up a complete front crossmember from an 86 c10 for next to nothing off of Craigslist. Was going to just swap them and fix the broken/rotted parts. I've decided to redo quite a bit of it. So, if someone could assist me in what I need or where I'm messing up, I'd appreciate it. Found out too late that it's a LD setup. Plans are to switch to HD setup.

I'm not a licensed mechanic, but I can turn a wrench and I can follow directions. This build is something that I want to put as much of my own time and experience into so that when my son gets older, I can help him with one.

First-
I'm going to pick up the following:

• Polygraphite Performance front end kit for '86 C10 from PST
  Plus Power Pitman arm
  1.25" HD Rotors (not sure what brand or features yet)
  Wilwood two piston calipers for 1.25"
  Replace A3 and install New A5 wheel bearings w/ Race and New Seal
  Dust caps
  Shocks
  Brake lines
  Spindles 2.5" drop for 1.25"
  1" drop spring

Have I missed anything there? C20 kit doesn't offer power steering pieces comparable to C10 performance package.

Will I need to replace the LD brake backing plate with a HD one?

Lastly-
It's cheaper for me to buy Moog powder coated A arms (without ball joint and bushing), than it is for me to have these media blasted and powder coated. Taboo or am I in for a headache since it's not original? If there's no issue, is there a difference between C10 and C20 A arms?

Thanks in advance.

[Clyde65]

All you really need to replace is the wear parts, ball joints, tye rods etc.

If it were me ( and it has been) I would take my spindle, upper and lower a-arms and get them blasted and powder coated.

You can get away with only replacing spindles, pitman arm and the a-arms ( the 72-87 have better cross bars). this way no drilling is required.

When you strip the old front end, you should power wash\degrease and throw some rust inhibitor paint on it also.

Have fiun and good luck!

[j.rigby15r]

Chiming in a bit late. I have a 64 c10 that has the stock 6 lug suspension. I'm wanting to convert it to disc breaks. What are the best years to swap to? Or is it better to keep my front and put spindles and discs with new components? I do eventually want to drop it.