Front Suspension Question

[JayPeee]

When I bought my '61 GMC, it was already converted to disc brakes so it now has a coil spring suspension. I want to get drop spindles and replace the control arms. My question is, how can I tell what was used for the conversion? I want to be sure I order the correct control arms and spindles or does it not matter?

[BR3W CITY]

Did you take a look around in the Suspension sub forum or look at the Drum-to-Disc Upgrade FAQ? The upgrade FAQ has breakdowns of the normal procedure, and what parts are usually used.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

That should show you the combo's and how to identify what you have. More than likely, the front suspension, or possibly the whole from crossmember was taken off of a 71-87. The exact combination of parts may take a second to piece together.

An easy starting point for references is to look at; does the a-arm have metal or rubber bushings, what bolt pattern are the brakes and are they on a 1" or 1.25" thick rotor, power steering? There's more than that, but those are places to start to work off of with the info in the thread posted.

[Captainfab]

If you could post some pics of the dust shields on the back of the rotors and the control arm bushings, we should be able to give you an idea of what you have.

[JayPeee]

Originally Posted by BR3W CITY

Did you take a look around in the Suspension sub forum or look at the Drum-to-Disc Upgrade FAQ? The upgrade FAQ has breakdowns of the normal procedure, and what parts are usually used.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

That should show you the combo's and how to identify what you have. More than likely, the front suspension, or possibly the whole from crossmember was taken off of a 71-87. The exact combination of parts may take a second to piece together.

An easy starting point for references is to look at; does the a-arm have metal or rubber bushings, what bolt pattern are the brakes and are they on a 1" or 1.25" thick rotor, power steering? There's more than that, but those are places to start to work off of with the info in the thread posted.

Thanks for that...not sure how I missed that.

OK so working backwards given that I don't know what crossmember I have, I do know that the previous owner did a 6 lug drum to disc conversion. The FAQ says that ** All Aftermarket 6-lug "Conversion Rotors Are the HD 1.25" wide version**.

Based on that, does that mean from the spindles working backwards to what connects to it (ball joints, tie rods, etc.) are all from 73-87?

Here are pics I snapped up

[Captainfab]

The upper and lower control arms are typical of a '63-'72 C10. You obviously have either cut springs or dropped springs.......the lower bump stop is touching so you don't have much suspension travel. From what I can see in the pics it looks like you may have '71-'72 spindles and dust shields. The pic is a little blurry. As far as I know the aftermarket 6 lug rotors will fit the '71-'87 spindles as long as they are designed for the 1.25" thick HD rotors