Has anyone done a disc brake swap on a 60-66 C-30

[65c30dually]

Hey guys, I'm new to this forum and hoping somebody can help me with a disc brake swap on my 65 C 30 Chevy truck. I pretty much have a handle on the rear disc swap, its just the front discs are what I'm needing help with. Can I use 73-87 one ton spindles and swap out the ball jointsx outer tie rod ends, or does anyone make a conversion for one tons? I've already updated the drive train to a vortec 350 and ZF 6 speed out of a vette. I've drop the truck 6/4 and C notched the frame. Now I want to get the brakes where they need to be. Any help would be highly appreciated.

[Captainfab]

To upgrade a '60-'66 C30 to front disc brakes is basically the same as with a C20. With the flat lower control arm shafts on the '63-'66 C20 and 30's, you can not just change the control arms for the '73-'87 arms. I have not tried this, but another member here says that the '73-'87 lower ball joints will fit the '63-'66 lower control arms if the holes are enlarged slightly with a drum or flap wheel on a die grinder or drill. On my '66 C30 I simply changed the whole front suspension, crossmember and all. In fact I used a '73-'87 C20 front suspension and will install the dually spindles. I always change the entire steering linkage to the '73-'87 components. That way you don't need those special tierod adapters (I don't know if they make them for a C30) and there is no confusion trying to remember what year parts you need later on. You will just have to drill 2 new holes for the later model idler arm bracket.

[65c30dually]

So the front cross member out of the 73-87, is that a bolt in piece or is there welding and fab work involved? If it is a bolt in peice, is it a direct fit? If all thats involved in adapting the lower ball joint out of the 73-87 is a little grinding of the hole I may try that first. If I go that route my only concern would be the new angles of the upper and lower A arms because the spindle height is different from the stock spindles. Any thoughts on that? I do agree with you about doing the entire cross member swap with steering likage. At least that way I would know what year every part is.

[Captainfab]

Swapping the entire front crossmember in a C30 is no different than in as C10 or 20. It is 100% bolt in except for one hole to drill on each side and one hole to elongate on each side. I don't think I would worry about the increased spindle height. But then again, I would just swap the entire front suspension if it were my truck.

[65c30dually]

Thanks Captain. I think im going to find a front cross member and front suspension and go that route. I will post pics when I get started.

[OldGMJon]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

On my '66 C30 I simply changed the whole front suspension, crossmember and all. In fact I used a '73-'87 C20 front suspension and will install the dually spindles. I always change the entire steering linkage to the '73-'87 components. You will just have to drill 2 new holes for the later model idler arm bracket.

Hi Captain...I too have a 66' C30 and would like to use the front and rear suspension from a donor 80' C30...well the whole drive train engine and trans as well...what difficulties will I experience?
thanks, jon

[Captainfab]

I replied to your other post about this........

Originally Posted by OldGMJon

Hi Captain...I too have a 66' C30 and would like to use the front and rear suspension from a donor 80' C30...well the whole drive train engine and trans as well...what difficulties will I experience?
thanks, jon