72 c10 LWB want to make c20 sort of

[jeep534]

I have a very nice 72 chevy c10 that i want to make a better towing vehicle with. better brakes maybe air suspension maybe full float rear with highway gears. and goosneck hitch in the bed. I want to retain the current ride height is anyone building this sort of thing these days. it has a 350/350 power steering and factory buckets. brakes seem more like car brakes even though I have gone through them.

[jeep534]

I was told I could find a 3/4 ton front end from a 74 up and it would bolt in. the jeep guys are building full float rear ends with 9 inch ford center sections giving virtually endless options for gears and lockers. 4 wheel discs are defiantly in the plan as are wheels steel from stockton wheels

[wilbilt]

Maybe you could find a 71-72 C20 donor truck? Front crossmember would be a bolt on, and many used Dana 60 rears (also excellent parts availability).

I have done some towing with a '65 C20 (coil springs) and in my opinion the leaf spring rears are a better choice for this, but you could probably build something usable with heavy-duty bags.

[Shyguy]

X2 on the 71/72 C-20 donor idea. I owned a stock '72 GMC C-20 with a 350/SM465 in the late 70's and it could pull anything I hooked on to it.

It did have the rear leaf springs. Since you have a Chevy you could use 3/4 ton coil springs with the assist spring to the rear of the axle. The original assist spring was OEM on many of these old trucks and I am sure you could get a set-up free or real cheap.

[jeep534]

Originally Posted by Shyguy

X2 on the 71/72 C-20 donor idea. I owned a stock '72 GMC C-20 with a 350/SM465 in the late 70's and it could pull anything I hooked on to it.

It did have the rear leaf springs. Since you have a Chevy you could use 3/4 ton coil springs with the assist spring to the rear of the axle. The original assist spring was OEM on many of these old trucks and I am sure you could get a set-up free or real cheap.

actually I need to setup a signature line

the truck has leaf springs in rear with overloads and the overloads make a lot of slapping noise when truck empty which is why i am considering the air bags. I really like the truck as it is with its current ride height and tire size but....... want more towing and stopping power as well as better fuel economy........... 13 is about the norm currently

[jeep534]

updated signature line

[eagleuh1]

You could put a 5.3 and 4l60e with tranny cooler. My C20 has the 3/4 leaf pack with 10 leafs per side. Plus get a good frame mount hitch. Bought mine from AutoZone on line for $169. Could switch to newer front 3/4 crossmember with disc brakes, and put Hydroboost in. You'll have plenty of brakes. Your frame will still be a little lighter, so don't overload it. Jim

[jeep534]

Thanks guys. the hitch for the rear is already in place the goosneck hitches are pretty expensive the last flip up hitch cost me 500 dollars. I have a friend who is going to build a 700R4 for me and I will probably rebuild the current motor with better heads, new quadrajet or one from the carb shop and see where that gets me with the current running gear. it currently has 308's in the rear.