65 disc swap (what would you do?)

[yos653]

I have a 65 C-10 with a 292/SM-420. It currently has the stock manual drums all around. I would like to go to a power disc setup and my question is this, I have access to both a complete 71-72 disk setup (entire crossmember rotor to rotor) as well as an early 80's setup. Which setup is the better way to go? Are they the same except for the metric on post 79 trucks? Is it better to swap the entire crossmember or just the control arms?

Can I use an 88 6 lug rotor with this setup to keep the 6 lugs? I can also get the rear axles from the 71-72 for a 5 lug.

Also, I think I read that the 68-72 booster/MC and brake lines are what I want to use, is this correct? Just want to get all the right stuff to do it right the first time. Thanks!

Rick
1965 LWB C-10/292/SM420
maybe I should put that 425 Olds I have in this thing.......

[Demmit_Hemmit's 65]

I CHANGED MY 65 WITH THE SPINDLES FROM A 71 PICK-UP.......NO NEED TO CHANGE THE A-ARMS...........YOU DO NEED TO CHANGE THE TIE ROD ENDS AND UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS.......................YOU PROBABLY WERE GOING TO CHANGE THESE ANYWAY....PRETTY STRAIGHT FORWARD CHANGE OVER.........YOU'LL BE GLAD YOU DID.............HEMMIT

[yos653]

Thanks for the reply! In upgrading the ball joints and tie rods I'm guessing you use the 71 stuff? Also, wouldn't it be easier to use the entire crossmember setup and just take the original out and put the 71-72 in? Just curious. Also, does anyone know about the six lug rotor on the 88-up 1/2 tons? Will they work and do they have the same pattern as the original 6 lugs?

Sorry for all the questions, just want to do it right the first time and minimize the downtime.

Rick

[Demmit_Hemmit's 65]

IT PROBABLY WOULD BE EASIER ONLY IF YOU KNOW THAT ALL THE PARTS ON YOU NEW CROSSMEMBER ARE IN GOOD CONDITION...................I WOULD JUST CHANGE OUT ALL THE OLD AND PUT IN BRAND NEW.....................ANY PARTS STORE WILL HAVE WHAT YOU NEED..............I THINK THE SWAP COST ME ABOUT $300. NOT COUNTING THE DROP SPINDLES SPRINGS AND SHOCKS...................IF YOU PLAN ON LOWERING YOUR TRUCK NOW WOULD BE THE PERFECT TIME............IF YOU HAVE ANY MORE QUESTIONS FEEL FREE TO ASK............AM ALWAYS WILLING TO HELP A FELLOW TRUCK GUY...........LATER HEMMIT

[Iron-Butt]

I changed out everything except for the crossmember. I insalled all new parts, drop spindles, spraings, and new shocks. i went with the 5 lug instead of 6.

[yos653]

Thanks for the replies. I was planning on swapping the entire crossmember out, of course I would new front end parts (bushings, springs and shocks) in it as well. I guess the booster/master would be good to get from the donor truck too. What did you guys do for the lines, did you use the ones from the donor or did you purchase new ones? If you purchased new lines, what year should I get?

Rick

[Demmit_Hemmit's 65]

are you going 5 lug or 6 lug ????????????????????????? still sounds like you're going the hard way but that's how i learned on mine.................let us know how you end up !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LeRoy]

I think I'd use the 80 setup for the cheaper parts such as drop spindles ect.

[Demmit_Hemmit's 65]

changing depends on which way you want to go.................................you have quite a few choices..................I went one way you can go another...................one thing about it ..........................there are so many different ways you can go.......................but you have the sayso on what you want to do.......................only you can make that choice...............hemmit