New ride, 1963 suspension questions.

[Bearcamp]

Just got my new ride and can't wait to rip into it. I'm looking at dropped spindles in the front with disc brakes. I know alot say the 71-87 Chevy truck is the same as the 63 and control arms will bolt right up. But can I use from a full size van the same years? Also can I use the sway bar from the front?

[Captainfab]

Welcome to the forum

Nice looking '63

Yes the G series van front suspension is basically the same. The control arme and out will bolt up to your '63. Be sure to use the larger diameter lower control arm U-bolts from the van. You will have to drill out the holes in the crossmember to do so, but well worth the upgrade. You will not be able to use the sway bar or the steering box from the van. As far as I know, all the G series vans' brake boosters are compatable with my brake booster brackets.

[MikeS.]

Nice lookin truck, tell us some about it. Where did you get it, what are you plans for it?

Are you familiar with the Carlisle car and truck shows and swap meets? Starting about March there are a lot of car and truck shows in the mid Atlantic region. I'm 100 hundred miles S of Harrisburg. I'll be trying to make several this next year.

Welcome to the forum.
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[Bearcamp]

I've been lookin for a 62-66 and checking craigslist. I'm from central Pa. and was going to N. Carolina to the World of Outlaws dirt track world final at Lowe's dirt track for our honeymoon. So I checked that area. Went and looked at it when we were down there, bought it and hjad it shipped home. There is and never was ant rust on the truck. I plan on dropping it as low as I can go without a c-notch, adding some patina, wheels, and just maybe a 454. But the 6 cylinder that's in it now runs so good and the other owner said he was pulling 18-22 mpg. It was a barn find with only 63,000 miles. But he painted it and dropped it a little. I just need to know what I can do to drop it LOWWW. without modifying the frame. And yes we do Carlisle whenever we can. I really like the Hershey swap meet (huge) but not enough of the 50s and 60 stuff.

[Bearcamp]

This was my last build I did for the wife. We had a shiny 98 Chevy truck lowered and all chromed up but she didn't like to polish it when doing shows. She asked if I would build her a rat rod and of corse I said sure. So we got a 37 Chevy truck and made it into a rat rod tow truck hence the name WITCHES TOADING. We love Halloween. Home made boom with a coffee grinder crank, tail light is an old copper rav o vac flash light, 427 with an automatic, home made box and 2x4 frame and the radiator is in the rear. Last count was 42 antiques on it.

[Bearcamp]

Another thought,,,,if I do the change over to disc brakes and get an after market 6 lug rotor, will my stock wheels work or are they gonna hit the rotor or caliper? What thickness should the new rotors be?

[sko_ford]

Not to hijack but on the van parts is it a cross member swap or just the a arms & parts? & I guess that the rear outa the same van may be too wide?
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[Bearcamp]

It's just gonna be control arms spindles, rotors, calipers n I'll end up getting 2 1/2 inch drop spindles.

[sko_ford]

Would that work on a 3/4 ton or dually frame too?
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[Bearcamp]

I would think so but you better ask the guys on here, they know more about it than I do. This is my first lower job on a C10. That's why I'm asking questions cause they've done it before.

[sko_ford]

Sounds good I was kinda hoping someone would chime in
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[Captainfab]

On a C20 or 30, you have to change the crossmember and all. This is because on the original crossmember there are no saddles to hold the later model lower control arm shafts. The original lower control arm shafts are flat.

The crossmember from a G series van will not work, You will need one out of a pickup. And yes the rear end from a G series van will be much too wide.

Originally Posted by sko_ford

Would that work on a 3/4 ton or dually frame too?
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[sko_ford]

Thanks chief. I kinda figured it,wouldn't be as easy
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[sko_ford]

How new of a doner could I go? Is it 86 the end of the body line or a diffrent year?
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[Captainfab]

Basically any squarebody truck will work as a donor. The '73-'86 C series, or a '87-'91 R series. You can also use a '71-'72, but those are getting harder to find. There are lots of squarebody trucks out there.

Originally Posted by sko_ford

How new of a doner could I go? Is it 86 the end of the body line or a diffrent year?
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