Front suspension conversion?

[1960chevypanel]

I'm new here, so please forgive me if I'm asking simple questions. I just bought a 1960 panel truck (1/2 ton) and would like to get rid of the torsion bar front suspension. Can I bolt on a regular suspension from a different truck, without doing any welding or cutting? I'd like to switch to coil springs and disk brakes. Thanks in advance for your help.

[dean jendro]

Check this out. It should help.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=366850

[markeb01]

And this thread may help if you decide to change the engine/trans mounts:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=369663

[1960chevypanel]

Thanks guys, that's a great help. I was looking at a complete '65 front suspension that is for sale locally very cheap-- do you know if that would bolt right up to my '60 frame without any of the modifications that I would need to make to a 70's suspension? I didn't do all the measurements, but the '65 bolt holes look pretty close to the '60... If that's a simple swap I may do everything in two steps-- first install the '65 suspension and then the 70's disk brakes. But that only makes sense if the '65 suspension is easier to install than the 70's ones... If I still have to do all the same mods and drilling for the '65 suspension it wouldn't make sense. What do you think?

[raycow]

Originally Posted by 1960chevypanel

I was looking at a complete '65 front suspension that is for sale locally very cheap-- do you know if that would bolt right up to my '60 frame without any of the modifications that I would need to make to a 70's suspension? I didn't do all the measurements, but the '65 bolt holes look pretty close to the '60... If that's a simple swap I may do everything in two steps-- first install the '65 suspension and then the 70's disk brakes. But that only makes sense if the '65 suspension is easier to install than the 70's ones... If I still have to do all the same mods and drilling for the '65 suspension it wouldn't make sense. What do you think?

If your long term plans call for disc brakes, I think it would be less work overall to go with the complete 73-up suspension from the start. This way, you also get the rubber control arm bushings that don't need to be greased.

If you want to do it in stages, go with a 63-70 suspension. When you want to add the discs, you can either change spindles and ball joints only, or else swap control arms and shafts too, which again will give you the good (IMO)bushings. The disc spindles take larger tie rod ends than the drum spindles, so you won't be able to keep your stock tie rods. If you want to use all factory parts, swap the 73-up tie rods and center link when you swap spindles. Otherwise, you can use an aftermarket tie rod adapter sleeve which allows you to connect the large outers to the small inners on your original center link.

None of the crossmember swaps requires welding, but you will have to drill some new bolt holes because the 60-62 frame rails are different from 63-up. The major difference (from the swap standpoint) between the 63-70 and 73-up crossmembers is the engine mounts. In case you were wondering, 71-72 has disc brakes with the early style control arm bushings and engine mounts. You can use one of those if you don't mind greasing the bushings.

Ray

[Captainfab]

IMO if you're going to all the work of changing the entire front suspension, why not go with the disc brakes to start with. The only extra thing you're looking at is the master cylinder and a proportioning valve and some brake lines.

I too prefer the rubber bushed control arms over the steel bushings.

[1960chevypanel]

Thanks Ray, awesome info. I ended up getting the '65 front suspension for $20, now I'll start looking around for the '73-up disk brake parts. So aside from the spindles it sounds like I'll need upper and lower control arms, tie rods, and the center link. Am I missing anything?

[raycow]

Originally Posted by 1960chevypanel

So aside from the spindles it sounds like I'll need upper and lower control arms, tie rods, and the center link. Am I missing anything?

Just a couple of minor points. When you install the 65 engine mount brackets you will need to make a spacer for the upper end because the 60-62 frame rails aren't as tall as 63-up. The difference is about an inch. When you get the 73-up control arm shafts, make sure to get the U-bolts too, as they are larger in diameter. You will need to enlarge the holes in the crossmember for these.

That's about all I can think of for now.

Ray

[1960chevypanel]

Thanks for the info, I really appreciate it.

[skysoldier173rd]

Markeb01's link above with the motor mount conversion helped when I put a 350/700R4 in my 60 recently. The 1 inch shims under the mounts worked like a charm and i used the mounts out an 86 which was my donor vehicle. Built my crossmember similar to his, that worked like a charm too. Thanks mark, your post helped immensely.

www.picturetrail.com/skysoldier173rd

[markeb01]

Thanks for the feedback. I'm glad it was useful.