1960-62 Front Suspension Upgrade

[Pappyx3!]

Great post! Awesome documentation! I'm in the process of doing the very same upgrade to the front of my 62, as well as an swapping the rear diff out for a 12 bolt. Looking forward to getting this done by springtime.

[Bad61c10]

I'm replacing my front suspension on my 61 with an 83 front clip, can someone show me where the bolts on the 83 are to drop the front suspension. Also I need to change out the rear axel and I'd prefer to use the axel from the 83, would that work on my 61.
Thanks
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[Pappyx3!]

Originally Posted by Bad61c10

I'm replacing my front suspension on my 61 with an 83 front clip, can someone show me where the bolts on the 83 are to drop the front suspension. Also I need to change out the rear axel and I'd prefer to use the axel from the 83, would that work on my 61.
Thanks
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Bad61c10,

There are 5 bolts on each side of the crossmember that are used to attach the crossmember to the frame. The bolts are located behind the engine mounting brackets. Sorry I can't send you pics to show you. I'm away and don't have pics on my phone.

Yes you can use the rear diff from an 83 C10. The 83 rear end is approx 1 1/2" longer then one used on the 60-62 trucks. You will have remove the axle perches from the 83 rear diff and weld new ones back on. I used perches made by captainfab on this forum to replace mine, and highly recommend them.
Some things to consider when changing to the wider diff are you planning to lower the truck, what type of wheel and size tire are you wanting to put one the back.
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[Crazy Rusty]

For anyone in the WA area, looks like you could get this front suspension for $50. I'm not ready for that endeavor.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/5039802354.html

[Bad61c10]

Originally Posted by Pappyx3!

Bad61c10,

There are 5 bolts on each side of the crossmember that are used to attach the crossmember to the frame. The bolts are located behind the engine mounting brackets. Sorry I can't send you pics to show you. I'm away and don't have pics on my phone.

Yes you can use the rear diff from an 83 C10. The 83 rear end is approx 1 1/2" longer then one used on the 60-62 trucks. You will have remove the axle perches from the 83 rear diff and weld new ones back on. I used perches made by captainfab on this forum to replace mine, and highly recommend them.
Some things to consider when changing to the wider diff are you planning to lower the truck, what type of wheel and size tire are you wanting to put one the back.
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Yes, I am planning on lowering the truck but not to much as it is my daily driver and I live in Canada and I would like to put 10" wide tires in the back.
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[Pappyx3!]

Originally Posted by Bad61c10

Yes, I am planning on lowering the truck but not to much as it is my daily driver and I live in Canada and I would like to put 10" wide tires in the back.
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Do you have a step side or fleet side bed? My truck has been lowered in the rear 3" with lowering springs and I'm using the stock 80's rally's wheels with 255/60/15's and there a pretty tight fit without modifying the fenders.
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[Bad61c10]

Originally Posted by Pappyx3!

Do you have a step side or fleet side bed? My truck has been lowered in the rear 3" with lowering springs and I'm using the stock 80's rally's wheels with 255/60/15's and there a pretty tight fit without modifying the fenders.
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It's a stepside
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[Pappyx3!]

Originally Posted by Bad61c10

It's a stepside
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We need to see if others can speak to the possibility of getting those 10 inch wheels/tires under it with some backset wheels and or some fender mods.
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[YatYas]

Nice How to...

I've just installed the crossmember from an 84 C10 to my 66. I used everything from the 84.

The idler arm is way different from my 66. What's the best way to install it? I was just going to mount the steering gear and then drill/mount the idler arm last with eyeball checks... ha sounds kinda ify.

[Turtleman]

There's 2 ways to (or more) to do that.. I just finished doing my 87 doner to my 66.
Some use a fixed point thats the same on both frames and make a template of the doner frame then copy and drill to the 66 frame.

The way I did it was connect to the gearbox first and install the main drag link to the idler arm/dead link.. Align the main drag link so its the same distance from the crossmember both horizontal and vertical .. A good way is to use a long straight edge as a shim or spacer until you have the correct angle.. I used my construction laser beam. Once you have the correct angles C-Clamp the dead arm to the frame and mark the drill points

[Bad61c10]

When I took the suspension off of my 83 donor I forgot to take a template of the holes. How difficult would it be to install it without that template.
Thanks!
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[55dude]

great thread!

[57chevy406]

Just a thought.
I'm sure that I am not the only person who likes the torsion bar suspension so I hope some of the guys who are taking theirs out will save the torsion bars and adjusters as a source of spare parts for us.

[padresag]

Originally Posted by 57chevy406

Just a thought.
I'm sure that I am not the only person who likes the torsion bar suspension so I hope some of the guys who are taking theirs out will save the torsion bars and adjusters as a source of spare parts for us.

perhaps you should secure some of those parts while they are still around. as a rule most don't hang unto them in hope of anyone ever wanting them. then you have to find them. that way you never have to curse them for not holding on to them for you.
ron

[HumphreyMurdoch]

Originally Posted by 57chevy406

Just a thought.
I'm sure that I am not the only person who likes the torsion bar suspension so I hope some of the guys who are taking theirs out will save the torsion bars and adjusters as a source of spare parts for us.

I kept the lower Control arms with torsion bars still attached for that very reason.

[top dog]

Originally Posted by YatYas

Nice How to...

I've just installed the crossmember from an 84 C10 to my 66. I used everything from the 84.

The idler arm is way different from my 66. What's the best way to install it? I was just going to mount the steering gear and then drill/mount the idler arm last with eyeball checks... ha sounds kinda ify.

Attachment 1422738
Attachment 1422739

Can anyone tell me what year idler arm this is ?

[dave rockwell]

Originally Posted by top dog

Can anyone tell me what year idler arm this is ?

I am wondering what year this idler arm is for as well?
local flaps guys can't find or don't know
thanks

[Captainfab]

That is a '67-'87 style of idler arm. Member YatYas who originally posted that says his is from his '84 donor truck

Originally Posted by dave rockwell

I am wondering what year this idler arm is for as well?
local flaps guys can't find or don't know
thanks

[dave rockwell]

Thanks capt. I did see where he said that,but napa keeps showing my 61' style

[dave rockwell]

AH HA.. I need the piece that is bolted to the frame,thought it was part of idler arm.

[doug_p]

So this may seems like a silly question, but what is the easiest method for separating all the steering linkages for cleaning/painting? I have a 78 front suspension I plan to swap onto my 62 long bed LS conversion, and I'd like to clean up and paint the steering linkage. The cross member is done, I just haven't figured out how to get all the steering linkages apart. Any ideas? Is a puller required to get the link off the steering box?

[LVPhotos]

Penitrant like the new wd40, pb blaster, kroil. And a Pickle fork and 2- 4lb hammer. Puller for box

[LostMy65]

A lot of autoparts stores will let you borrow many of the tools you'll need.
https://www.autozone.com/landing/pag...ol&mobile=true

[doug_p]

Thanks Fellas - I think I have most all that stuff, and I have used the local autoparts rentals several times as well ; )
I appreciate the knowledge -
Doug

[Raszaron]

Does anyone still have one of those Idler Arm Brackets lying around??? I seemed to have misplaced mine with having everything powder coated... Otherwise I need to find a way to get that 80's style idler arm bracket to work with my 64 C20 linkage.