67 C30 Motorhome Frame Lowering/Discs

[Cannibal]

Hey all. Anyone know much about a frame like pictured below? I'm looking at buying this 67 c30 motorhome frame (he is calling it a c30, maybe it's p30/p32?) to use in a hot rod build. I really wanted one with discs already, but I found this one with drums and wondered a few things:

I'd like to do a set of dropped spindles so they would be disc break ready. Will these bolt onto my control arms? Or will I need later model control arms and ball joints, right?

For the discs, will I need new hubs or will my hubs work? This is a dually setup. I may not end up with stock brakes.

I'm also not likely to use the Eaton rear end unless it's geared around 3.54. I'll look for a 14 bolt or Dana 70/80. The rear would be triangulated on air anyway and frame shortened.

Any other input on a frame like this would be appreciated.

[SCOTI]

If you're doing dropped spindles, you'll be doing disc brakes & will need the parts based off of the spindles (73-87; 88-98).

The hubs will also be based off of the spindles/brakes.

The a-arms are fairly interchangeable. Since it has the 8-lug wheels, they should work w/the correct BJ's for the spindle application.

[61_FL_Apache]

Motorhome chassis are usually called P30. They used them for motorhomes and step vans. I have one under my 91 Winnebago.

Im not an expert on the suspension parts, but they are probably the same from C30 to P30.

I use RockAuto for a lot of parts look up.

[Cannibal]

Thanks for the input. I did end up picking up the front frame section from a 72 motorhome so now I have the full crossmember, arms, spindles, discs and all. The 67 had a hydraulic ram style power steering and the 72 has powered box.

As far as the delineation in the frames, not sure on the difference between C and P. I know the bread van style is P, but these two had a regular cab on them, not a box type motorhome from my understanding. I'll be taking more measurements for sure.

The 67 has the Eaton rear end, which I'll probably part with because it's not as user friendly if I decide I need to re-gear or want to add a limited slip. The 72 also came with the rear clip too, so I have a D80 on that. So basically, the only part of the 67 I'll be using is the frame. Not sure about a front cross member drop or if I'll need to notch the rear but the plan is 4 bags. I don't need to lay frame because the body that's going on it is a 49 International and the side steps hang below the frame. I just want to drop those on the ground. It will be a long, slow build, but I'll document.

[lolife99]

Does your 67 frame have the same “indent” in the side for a power steering box, like your 72 frame has?

[kwmech]

Lot of frame work with a motor chassis for a street rod

[Cannibal]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Does your 67 frame have the same “indent” in the side for a power steering box, like your 72 frame has?

Oh, I don't know. I'll have to take a look at this. I'm hoping the 72 stuff will bolt right on to the 67 frame. Though, I'll be fabricating a bunch of other stuff, so those modifications are not beyond me.

[Cannibal]

Originally Posted by kwmech

Lot of frame work with a motor chassis for a street rod

Yes, this will be a lot of work but it beats the amount of work to get the stock 49 International frame where I want. It's a beam axle and the chassis is completely flat, so the motorhome frame has a lot of added suspension clearance to get the frame much lower.

[kwmech]

For what you are proposing I would think finding a 71-72 frame as a base would be easier and less costly, money and time wise.

[Cannibal]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Does your 67 frame have the same “indent” in the side for a power steering box, like your 72 frame has?

Turns out no, the 67 does not. Looks like some heat and a BFH might be in order.

Originally Posted by kwmech

For what you are proposing I would think finding a 71-72 frame as a base would be easier and less costly, money and time wise.

The 67 frame is completely flat in the back and heavier channel from behind the front clip back, maybe that's what makes it a P30; I don't know the technical differences. The 72 was also from a motorhome, but it's got the rear axle "hump" in the frame like a regular c30. This project is going to be a flat bed, so the 67 frame design is perfect, plus all the suspension parts will get removed and rebuilt, so it seems like the swap won't add too much time.

The problem I ran into when exploring a bit more was that my 72 suspension has the rotors and hubs all one piece. I'm going to need to find a set of dually front disc hubs that have the separate hub and rotor because I want to run the later P30 14.2" rotors. So not back to the drawing board per-se, but who knows. If hub donor is cheap enough, I might end up with a different chassis yet again. Learning as I go here.

[kwmech]

The frame looks the same as my 69 gmc. It started life as a Class B motorhome until it decided to dry rot and feel victim to my sawzall. Frame is a beast and came rated at 14k gvw

[Cannibal]

Originally Posted by kwmech

The frame looks the same as my 69 gmc. It started life as a Class B motorhome until it decided to dry rot and feel victim to my sawzall. Frame is a beast and came rated at 14k gvw

Yeah. It's a beast for sure. Perfect for this project. The body donor is a 2.5 ton, so I'd feel wimpy dropping it on a 1/2 ton chassis. lol

[Dan Castilleja]

Has anyone figured out the best way to lower a 68 C30 motorhome?

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

On the Later square body C30's you could swap motor home or P30 spindles onto a C30, and get a 1" lift.

You could measure lower mount to spindle centerline, and see if drip spindles will fit.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Dan Castilleja

Has anyone figured out the best way to lower a 68 C30 motorhome?

73-87 C30 drop spindles (requires correct BJ's for spindles) & correct year of frame drop springs up front.

Rear is going to be based on the spring set-up & amount of drop desired.