Best Parts to look for?

[LuckyHenriksen]

If I wanted to add disc brakes and power steering and all the good stuff to a 1960 Sub, what would be the best parts truck to look for? There is a 1985 1/2 suburban for sale locally and I was just curious if I could pirate a lot of the parts. What years work best?

[steverino66]

Originally Posted by LuckyHenriksen

If I wanted to add disc brakes and power steering and all the good stuff to a 1960 Sub, what would be the best parts truck to look for? There is a 1985 1/2 suburban for sale locally and I was just curious if I could pirate a lot of the parts. What years work best?

I think 71 or 2 up to 87 will work; sometime around 77 the hardware changed to metric. I used an 83 C10 Deluxe, got all the nice power stuff, tilt etc. You might do better price-wise if you just drive around looking for those yard-decoration trucks with the grass and weeds growing through them and make an offer. I paid $200 for the whole truck minus driveline, which makes it easier to get to the parts you want anyway.

[padresag]

p/u's 71-89 and suburbans to 91 will all work. if the 85 is cheap enough go for it or as the other poster says look around for a beater one sitting somewhere
rom

[LuckyHenriksen]

Well they only want 500 for it, and it supposedly runs and drives good with a new transmission. I was thinking of using the motor and trans and seats and everything, so I think it would be worth it. If I switched to the newer front suspension, if i wanted to buy drop springs or spindles for it would I just get them for an 85 suburban?

[padresag]

offer them 300(the worst that they can say to you is no) and see where it takes you . you might get it for 400.They also may tell you to take a hike, but you'll be doing them a favor by getting rid of it for them
you would order 85; yes
ron

[LuckyHenriksen]

Alright thanks guys. Are there any avoidable problems or anything involved with changing out the suspension?

[protrash64]

No, but its UNavoidable that your wallet will look like it got hit by a bus!!!

[steverino66]

Originally Posted by protrash64

No, but its UNavoidable that your wallet will look like it got hit by a bus!!!

What he said!
You'll have to get an adapter kit to attach the power steering box to the frame - you can find them on eBay for around $80. I swapped out the whole front crossmember onto my 64 frame - had to drill 2 new holes and enlarge 2 more out of 14 total, not bad. A lot of little stuff like lengthening the brake pedal rod, different attachment angle for steering linkage, etc.
Take lots of pictures before ripping the donor apart.
Good luck.

[kdrodworks316]

Originally Posted by steverino66

What he said!
You'll have to get an adapter kit to attach the power steering box to the frame - you can find them on eBay for around $80.

Or there are a couple of board members such as captainfab who also sell a really nice conversion kit. I prefer to support the board members and vendors.

[steverino66]

Originally Posted by kdrodworks316

Or there are a couple of board members such as captainfab who also sell a really nice conversion kit. I prefer to support the board members and vendors.

kd-
good point, dude - definitely would have bought here if I'd known

[LuckyHenriksen]

Where could I find info on his kit

[steverino66]

Originally Posted by LuckyHenriksen

Where could I find info on his kit

just click on the members tab at top of the main page, search for "captainfab" - send him a pm

[soba_03]

Hey is your Burb auto? If it's NOT then you probally have a HYD clutch. This will make this project a little more difficult but not impossible. If you need some details on HYD clutch Hit me up. I won't ramble here until you let me know.

The Gist is, if you have hyd clutch you'll either have to put in a hyd clutch master cylinder or convert to manual clutch or go with an Auto trans....

[Chevy Fleetside]

Originally Posted by LuckyHenriksen

Where could I find info on his kit

This is what it looks like. http://www.classicparts.com/1960-66-...ctinfo/76-979/ It dosen't look like much, but it really lines up the steering box for you. Before I knew about it. I drilled my own holes in the frame and I was off a bit. When I put the kit on it raised the box up by the shaft 1/2" and I had to redrill the idler arm again. I can say that my truck did turn more to the left then the right and now it seems like it will be ok, but I wont know untill I drive it again. I did change the steering box also.