65 GMC C15 Suspension Swap Question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

boycec1 · 08-02-2014, 01:59 PM

I have just purchased a 65 GMC C15 w/305E V-6 that my son and I are going to fix up to be his high school driver. This truck does not have power steering or power brakes. We are wanting to add all of that plus convert to disk brakes.

I have read about people having success in bolting in a front end from a 77-88 suburban. I am interested in doing the same but I have a pretty newbie question. The C15 has 8 lug axles so I assume that I should be looking for a 3/4 ton, 77-88 suburban front end, is that correct? I am hoping that I can use the power steering from the same donner truck, will that work?

Do you guys have any suggestions that might help us on this journey?

Thanks

chevyrestoguy · 08-02-2014, 02:23 PM

You can use a suspension from a '73 all the way to a '91 (I think the Suburbans and duallys stayed with the same suspension after the light truck model change in '88). If not, then definitely from '73 to '87. My suggestion is to find a 3/4 ton truck or Suburban that is being parted out and buy the entire rolling chassis. This way, you get the entire front and rear suspensions, steering box, sway bar, brake lines, and all of the other brackets you will need. When you've picked it clean, then send the rest to the scrapper and get your scrap money out of it. The reason why it's important to get both the front and rear suspensions is that the Eaton rear axle you have is kind of an orphan, and nobody makes any replacement pieces for it. The parts for the later axles are plentiful, and you might find one with a higher gear ratio. Your Eaton probably has 4.56 gears in it. You might be able to find a Dana with 3.73s in a donor truck. Your gas mileage will increase substantially, you won't be stuck in the slow lane, and it's much easier on the engine.

boycec1 · 08-02-2014, 07:18 PM

Wow, thanks restoguy, that is the type of information I am looking for but have had a hard time finding.

Since you brought it up the rear end I think that I have something other than the Eaton. For the pictures of Eaton I have seen, those read ends have a round shape and cover. The rear end that I have is not round and has 10 bolts. I wonder how I determine what I have?

mikie 1954 · 08-02-2014, 07:27 PM

I have a 64 gmc 3/4 ton and it has a Dana 60 rear in it. Chech what you have gmc did use Dana's in theirs.

boycec1 · 08-02-2014, 07:33 PM

Is there a sure fire way to figure out what I have?

08-02-2014, 01:59 PM	#1
boycec1 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Gilbert, Az Posts: 8	65 GMC C15 Suspension Swap Question I have just purchased a 65 GMC C15 w/305E V-6 that my son and I are going to fix up to be his high school driver. This truck does not have power steering or power brakes. We are wanting to add all of that plus convert to disk brakes. I have read about people having success in bolting in a front end from a 77-88 suburban. I am interested in doing the same but I have a pretty newbie question. The C15 has 8 lug axles so I assume that I should be looking for a 3/4 ton, 77-88 suburban front end, is that correct? I am hoping that I can use the power steering from the same donner truck, will that work? Do you guys have any suggestions that might help us on this journey? Thanks

08-02-2014, 02:23 PM	#2
chevyrestoguy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: apple valley, ca Posts: 2,670	Re: 65 GMC C15 Suspension Swap Question You can use a suspension from a '73 all the way to a '91 (I think the Suburbans and duallys stayed with the same suspension after the light truck model change in '88). If not, then definitely from '73 to '87. My suggestion is to find a 3/4 ton truck or Suburban that is being parted out and buy the entire rolling chassis. This way, you get the entire front and rear suspensions, steering box, sway bar, brake lines, and all of the other brackets you will need. When you've picked it clean, then send the rest to the scrapper and get your scrap money out of it. The reason why it's important to get both the front and rear suspensions is that the Eaton rear axle you have is kind of an orphan, and nobody makes any replacement pieces for it. The parts for the later axles are plentiful, and you might find one with a higher gear ratio. Your Eaton probably has 4.56 gears in it. You might be able to find a Dana with 3.73s in a donor truck. Your gas mileage will increase substantially, you won't be stuck in the slow lane, and it's much easier on the engine. __________________ Check out my latest endeavor: https://roundsixpod.com My build threads: '55 Chevy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=247512 '64 C-20: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=446527

08-02-2014, 07:18 PM	#3
boycec1 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Gilbert, Az Posts: 8	Re: 65 GMC C15 Suspension Swap Question Wow, thanks restoguy, that is the type of information I am looking for but have had a hard time finding. Since you brought it up the rear end I think that I have something other than the Eaton. For the pictures of Eaton I have seen, those read ends have a round shape and cover. The rear end that I have is not round and has 10 bolts. I wonder how I determine what I have?

08-02-2014, 07:27 PM	#4
mikie 1954 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: caliente ca. Posts: 297	Re: 65 GMC C15 Suspension Swap Question I have a 64 gmc 3/4 ton and it has a Dana 60 rear in it. Chech what you have gmc did use Dana's in theirs.

08-02-2014, 07:33 PM	#5
boycec1 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Gilbert, Az Posts: 8	Re: 65 GMC C15 Suspension Swap Question Is there a sure fire way to figure out what I have?



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