New guy, help appreciated

[gbrown]

I've been lurking here for a while and finally decided to join- I've got too many unanswered questions! I've got a 1960 Chevy C-10 that's (mostly) all original.
235, 3-on-the-tree, torsion bar front end. I have two questions that I could really use answered by the knowledgeable masses here.

1. Is there a later model independent suspension disc brake front cross member that will work (easily) with my truck since it's torsion bar? I'm getting conflicting information...

2. The axle bearings on my rear end are shot and it's gonna be well over $100 to replace them, not to mention the seals, gaskets, etc. My neighbor has a 1970 rear end with new brake parts on it he'll sell me for $100. Here's the rub: it's set up for leaf springs and my truck had the 4-link coil spring rear end. Rather than cutting and welding all the mounts, could I just swap the guts from his housing to mine? I've read somewhere that the later models are wider???

Guys, any help you can give would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

[glos55]

Welcome gbrown! There are several ways you can go, contact markeb01 here on this site. I think he upgraded his truck with everything from a 75 and had great results! As for the rear sounds like the new seals will be easier than swapping everything over. Anyone else chime in for our new member? Oh we love pics

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by gbrown

The axle bearings on my rear end are shot and it's gonna be well over $100 to replace them, not to mention the seals, gaskets, etc.

First off, welcome to the forum. There is a ton of info here, you need to spend some time looking around, especially in the FAQ section. Go to the 3rd post for the links section. The 1st post just shows the index.

I can't say how hard it would be to install an IFS suspension, but I know plenty of folks have done it.

There is a part of the FAQ section for suspension upgrades for the 60-62 trucks.

As far as swapping the rear end, you'll do twice as much work and will be swapping in used parts for the same amount of money. To me, it only makes sense to buy new bearings and seals and replace. I did it on my 65 and it really was not that difficult, and I have never done anything like that before, so if I can do it, anyone can.

[awbrown]

Welcome to the site !! more than one person has done both swaps you are talking about so do some more searching on here and you should have all kinds of answers...

[markeb01]

Welcome to the forum. The front suspension swap is relatively straight forward and somewhat easy to do. It can be accomplished in a weekend if everything is prepared and ready. But my first question would be – why do you want to change out the suspension? If it’s for 5 lug rotors, late model wheels, disc brakes, etc I think it a great economical upgrade. Parts are much cheaper and easier to replace and if you want to lower your truck aftermarket support is readily available.

However if you’re going to drive your truck locally and don’t care about the upgrades there’s nothing wrong with the stock torsion bar suspension. It arguably rides better than the coil spring suspension. Replacement parts are more expensive, but can last 50 years so once replaced they would basically last forever.

The main defect in the 1960 front end is the early ball bearing type wheel bearings. The new replacement bearings currently marketed are of very poor quality compared to originals and burn out with alarming regularity and are ridiculously expensive. Fortunately these can be replaced with tapered roller bearings by swapping to 1962 front hubs, should you want to retain your stock suspension. If for whatever reason you want to swap, this thread should help you out. It shows the details of when I installed a 1975 front end under my 1960 GMC:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=366828

If you have any issues or questions feel free to shoot me a PM or post in the thread if you prefer.

Since my truck is a GMC that came from the factory with a Dana 44 rear axle, I wanted to keep my original rear end. I had the axle repatterned at a local machine shop and installed the later 5 lugs drums which fit perfectly. I also added self adjusters which required the later brake shoes since they have an extra connecting hole stamped in the shoes.

It is my understanding the later axles are ¾” wider per side meaning the mounting surface to mounting surface distance with indeed be 1.5” wider than the stock axle. To some owners this doesn’t matter while it can be critical to others, especially in a stepside because the fenders are closer to the bed. If it were me I’d stick with the stock rear axle unless the cost to switch to the 5 lug rear axle pattern makes it worthwhile. Bear in mind that even if the later rear end was coil sprung it still wouldn’t fit without welding since the axle mounting pads are not the same distance apart as they are in the earlier trucks, and I believe the panhard bar mount is also different.

Good luck.

[gbrown]

glos55, thanks for the referral to markeb01! He's already replied to my call for help and is working on some answers for me. Glad I finally joined. Now, how do I post pics???

[gbrown]

Lugnutz65, thanks for the quick reply and helpful links. You pointed me in the right direction.

[gbrown]

Let's see if this works...

This is the day I brought the truck home. Much has changed but it doesn't look much different. Funny how that works, huh? I'll post updated pics soon.

[gbrown]

Sorry about that... I'll work on resizing my pics before I post them.

[Lugnutz65]

The FAQ section has the answer. It's easy.

[markeb01]

Here’s your picture resized a bit smaller so all of it shows:

[gbrown]

Originally Posted by markeb01

Here’s your picture resized a bit smaller so all of it shows:

Wow! How'd you do that?

[1Bad62Pro/Street]

Originally Posted by gbrown

Wow! How'd you do that?

http://pixlr.com/editor/

http://www.lunapic.com/editor/

[forestb]

I put a 77 front end in my 62 because I was planning on bagging the front. If that is not your plan I would just lower it by loosening the torsion bars and getting drop spindles.

[gbrown]

Although I have heard good things about the ride of the torsion bar front ends, my primary motivation to swap the front cross member is the upgrade to disc brakes, better bearings, more accessible parts, etc.

markeb01, could you provide more details on the steering components? If I were to swap my torsion front for a 73-87 independent front, am I required to make steering changes? Would I be foolish not to?