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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Kirkland, WA
Posts: 1,302
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Just picked up a 1968 C-20 and I need some advice!
Hello, new to the forums. I have frequented the team chevelle forums and this place seems like the truck counterpart
![]() So I bought a '68 C-20 from a guy, it had been sitting for 8 years and was looking pretty bad. He wasn't asking much so I decided to check it out. Turns out the body looks quite nasty but mostly due to surface rust... pics to come. Anyway, the questions... - longhorn man said in another post that the C-20 suspension and brakes are expensive to maintain. Are there late-model suspensions that I can find in a junkyard that bolt up? I won't be putting in a super-powerful engine and will only be towing a trailer occasionally, until my chevelle is done. Which has taken 10 years so I'll give it another 10/. - As far as lowering the truck, I don't want a lowrider but I do like a lower look. Which suspension components should I look at to acheive that? (junkyardable stuff?) I'll definately leave ground clearance for streetability and don't want to do bags because they seem too expensive and time consuming. That's it for now, I'll be back... |
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#2 |
Grandpa in the rustmobile...
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Spokane WA/Viola TN
Posts: 11,422
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Re: Just picked up a 1968 C-20 and I need some advice!
does it have trailing arms and coil springs?
you can buy front conversion spindles from ECE (early classic enterprizes) then buy 5 or 6 lug front disc rotors and hunt a 5 or 6 lug rearend it'll then be a half ton truck and you buy lowering springs to obtain your drop..
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John Goose-1968 C10 355,9.32-1CR, Vortec Heads ,262 voodoo, 3.73:1 3OTT (HS ride/beater/farm truck) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=317684 Grams 53-1953 Chevrolet Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4327784 1969 Chevy C10 Shortbed 4.5/6?" Frame off resto http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548136 1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Hampton, GA
Posts: 76
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You could look for a 72 Cheyenne like mine and get the front suspension off of it. My truck came from the factory with front disc brakes. Also, try the FAQ thread below and start there. Good luck. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=157669
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![]() 1972 Chevy Cheyenne LWB 350 engine TH400. |
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#4 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Kirkland, WA
Posts: 1,302
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Re: Just picked up a 1968 C-20 and I need some advice!
Quote:
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: canton ga
Posts: 12,728
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Re: Just picked up a 1968 C-20 and I need some advice!
Are you still a member of Team Chevelle ? Im Flashed on Team Chevelle as well as on this board. Also are you a member of Carolina Chevelle Association club?
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#6 |
Between Trucks...
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Los Angeles, CA.
Posts: 3,830
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Re: Just picked up a 1968 C-20 and I need some advice!
I have a '69 C-20. Getting ready to do the brakes on it now. Parts are available for the brakes and the prices aren't too bad. No gear sets available for the Eaton rear end though. GMC Pauls has 3/4 ton lowering springs. Or you could go ahead and swap out the existing suspension like has been suggested.
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Beat it to fit, Paint it to match... ![]() |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Porter Ranch, CA
Posts: 978
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Re: Just picked up a 1968 C-20 and I need some advice!
I agree with Sinister. The 3/4 tons are not expensive to maintain. If you have to do ball joints, etc, it's a lot of work, but I'd bet it's not much more expensive than a 1/2 ton.
Also, I think LMC had some 3/4 ton lowering springs as well. The time, effort and MONEY it would take you to swap out the suspension wouldn't even be close to cost effective... |
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#8 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Kirkland, WA
Posts: 1,302
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Re: Just picked up a 1968 C-20 and I need some advice!
Quote:
Awesome, let me know how it goes and what your cost turns out to be. Someone quoted $500 just for brakes but that sounded really high. As I understand it you can get an '87 suburban or truck front suspension including cross members that will more or less bolt right in. Can't be too much from the junkyard, right? As it sits I am looking at replacing the ball joints and bushings and everything as it is, so it seems that the extra cost and effort would be worth it. I mean, finding an upgrade to 8-lug wheels would probably cost the same as re-doing the entire suspension, right? |
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#9 |
Between Trucks...
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Los Angeles, CA.
Posts: 3,830
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Re: Just picked up a 1968 C-20 and I need some advice!
Right around $250 per front and back, $500 total. New drums, shoes, wheel cylinders, oil seals, and spring kits. Going to replace the hoses at a later date when I do the rear drums.
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#10 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Turlock California 95380
Posts: 2,075
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Re: Just picked up a 1968 C-20 and I need some advice!
My 72 C-20 front brake pads were around $45, and the rear shoes were about the same. The wheel cylinders are around 35 bucks, but I was able to use rebuild kits for $5 instead. The spring/hardware kit was $10. If you have to replace the drums, that's where you run into about $100+ for new ones. The rear axle seals were about $35 each. Mine is a Dana 60 in case it matters. Good luck with it, I would look for front discs from a 72 C-20. They should be a straight forward swap
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72 C20 Longbed 05 1500 Z71 Last edited by sleepertruck72; 12-31-2009 at 08:49 PM. |
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Kirkland, WA
Posts: 1,302
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Re: Just picked up a 1968 C-20 and I need some advice!
Are there 8-lug front disc setups that I can swap in from late-model vehicles? In all reality I'll probably have to rebuild no matter where I pull the setup from, but I would rather swap for newer parts. If I do a swap from 8-lug, that means I will have to swap the rear too.
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