Front suspension swap - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

MarineNav · 11-02-2001, 05:38 PM

I found a 77' front subframe with everything off of a c-10 I believe problem is I'll have to replace the rotors and calipers as well as new bushings etc...
also the front rotors are HUGE compared to other trucks I saw in the junkyard. Any input? Advice? Things to try to get with it?

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70' C-10SWB beater with a heater, one day haulin a$$ with class

69 longhorn · 11-02-2001, 07:46 PM

Somewhere about 1980 they started running 1 " thick rotors.the older ones were 1.25 thick. some of the guys are changing the complete crossmember ,but if you dont have the eng out ,you can bolt all the later parts on your old crossmember. good luck.--------------Hotrodhorn

MarineNav · 11-03-2001, 06:40 AM

But would it be cheaper to put disc brakes on by swapping everything out or just getting a kit?

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70' C-10SWB beater with a heater, one day haulin a$$ with class

Southpa · 11-03-2001, 05:47 PM

It depends on what is available for a donor vehicle and the current condition of your front end components. I had cracked, rusted and literally busted crossmember to frame brackets. Tie rod ends and ball joints were also on their way out.

I was thinking about ways to replace all those pieces and then I saw the blessing in disguise. It was the perfect opportunity to convert to discs so I decided to replace the whole works. Those brackets are rivetted to the cross member anyway.

The hard part is making sure the donor truck has parts in better condition than your current one. I found a '71 C10 for a donor which had almost everything in good shape. I didn't even have to get new brake pads! for $200 (Cdn.) I might have to replace a few ball joints in a few years (won't we all?) but its a definite improvement.

The only advice I can give you, MarineNav, is to get your current front end checked. Try to find a place that will give you an honest opinion. If they think you need this 'n that replaced within a year or two, you might decide to look for a better complete front end with discs. If you have a solid front end then go with swapping just the brake components.

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Southpa
1970 GMC 1500 Custom
Victoria, BC, Canada

[This message has been edited by Southpa (edited 11-03-2001).]

*Fast68Chevy* · 11-03-2001, 08:24 PM

78 Big10 trucks had the thicker rotors- I had one.

MarineNav · 11-04-2001, 08:27 PM

The rotors weren't just thicker they were larger in diameter too, they looked like they were 13" or something like that unless my eyes were playin tricks on me. I think though that I will just convert my front end to discs, I want to replace all the components anyway. Make it like new, you know? All the other fronts I saw were in need of new bushings rotors and such anyway. Is there very much diff between a 70' and a 73' up front end? Thanks for the info guys I'll have lots more questions in the future once I get this project underway.

------------------
70' C-10SWB beater with a heater, one day haulin a$$ with class

*Fast68Chevy* · 11-04-2001, 11:41 PM

A arms shafts are solid before 73 on the 1.2 trucks, and were still solid on the 73-up 3/4 trucks
crossmember is same except where the brake hose tab is located, and 73 up dont use those, so it doesnt matter as long as yuo use 73-up spindles anyways.
ive had a 68 and 73-up cradle side by side stripped down last fall, and are nothing but a coupel minor differences, nothing noteworthy

good luck

------------------
Randy- Lincoln, IL

<A HREF="mailto:r68c30@hotmail.com
">r68c30@hotmail.com
</A>

217 735 3230
-------------
Fleet, currently:
68 panel delivery- in TX- for sale
68 C-30 dually dump, driver
72 K5 chassis; partially disassembled
79 G10 sportvan, driver
77 Electra boatcar, driver
76 1500 in pieces, scrap
68 C10 in pieces, scrap
America and 68's rule !
r68c30@hotmail.com + MSN messenger + 24/7/365 = truck talk

11-02-2001, 05:38 PM	#1
MarineNav Official Beaver Inspector Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: MCAS Cherry Point, NC Posts: 119	Front suspension swap I found a 77' front subframe with everything off of a c-10 I believe problem is I'll have to replace the rotors and calipers as well as new bushings etc... also the front rotors are HUGE compared to other trucks I saw in the junkyard. Any input? Advice? Things to try to get with it? ------------------ 70' C-10SWB beater with a heater, one day haulin a$$ with class __________________ 70' C-10SWB beater with a heater, one day haulin a$$ with class

11-02-2001, 07:46 PM	#2
69 longhorn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: rock island,il,usa Posts: 5,382	Somewhere about 1980 they started running 1 " thick rotors.the older ones were 1.25 thick. some of the guys are changing the complete crossmember ,but if you dont have the eng out ,you can bolt all the later parts on your old crossmember. good luck.--------------Hotrodhorn __________________ http://community.webshots.com/user/hotrodhorn

11-03-2001, 06:40 AM	#3
MarineNav Official Beaver Inspector Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: MCAS Cherry Point, NC Posts: 119	But would it be cheaper to put disc brakes on by swapping everything out or just getting a kit? ------------------ 70' C-10SWB beater with a heater, one day haulin a$$ with class __________________ 70' C-10SWB beater with a heater, one day haulin a$$ with class

11-03-2001, 05:47 PM	#4
Southpa Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Victoria, BC, Canada Posts: 2,409	It depends on what is available for a donor vehicle and the current condition of your front end components. I had cracked, rusted and literally busted crossmember to frame brackets. Tie rod ends and ball joints were also on their way out. I was thinking about ways to replace all those pieces and then I saw the blessing in disguise. It was the perfect opportunity to convert to discs so I decided to replace the whole works. Those brackets are rivetted to the cross member anyway. The hard part is making sure the donor truck has parts in better condition than your current one. I found a '71 C10 for a donor which had almost everything in good shape. I didn't even have to get new brake pads! for $200 (Cdn.) I might have to replace a few ball joints in a few years (won't we all?) but its a definite improvement. The only advice I can give you, MarineNav, is to get your current front end checked. Try to find a place that will give you an honest opinion. If they think you need this 'n that replaced within a year or two, you might decide to look for a better complete front end with discs. If you have a solid front end then go with swapping just the brake components. ------------------ Southpa 1970 GMC 1500 Custom Victoria, BC, Canada [This message has been edited by Southpa (edited 11-03-2001).] __________________ 1970 GMC 1500 Custom Original 350/TH350 Victoria, BC, Canada You can wish in one hand and crap in the other. See which one gets filled first.

11-04-2001, 08:27 PM	#6
MarineNav Official Beaver Inspector Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: MCAS Cherry Point, NC Posts: 119	The rotors weren't just thicker they were larger in diameter too, they looked like they were 13" or something like that unless my eyes were playin tricks on me. I think though that I will just convert my front end to discs, I want to replace all the components anyway. Make it like new, you know? All the other fronts I saw were in need of new bushings rotors and such anyway. Is there very much diff between a 70' and a 73' up front end? Thanks for the info guys I'll have lots more questions in the future once I get this project underway. ------------------ 70' C-10SWB beater with a heater, one day haulin a$$ with class __________________ 70' C-10SWB beater with a heater, one day haulin a$$ with class

11-03-2001, 08:24 PM	#5
Fast68Chevy Account Suspended Join Date: May 2000 Location: IL Posts: 0	78 Big10 trucks had the thicker rotors- I had one.

11-04-2001, 11:41 PM	#7
Fast68Chevy Account Suspended Join Date: May 2000 Location: IL Posts: 0	A arms shafts are solid before 73 on the 1.2 trucks, and were still solid on the 73-up 3/4 trucks crossmember is same except where the brake hose tab is located, and 73 up dont use those, so it doesnt matter as long as yuo use 73-up spindles anyways. ive had a 68 and 73-up cradle side by side stripped down last fall, and are nothing but a coupel minor differences, nothing noteworthy good luck ------------------ Randy- Lincoln, IL <A HREF="mailto:r68c30@hotmail.com ">r68c30@hotmail.com </A> 217 735 3230 ------------- Fleet, currently: 68 panel delivery- in TX- for sale 68 C-30 dually dump, driver 72 K5 chassis; partially disassembled 79 G10 sportvan, driver 77 Electra boatcar, driver 76 1500 in pieces, scrap 68 C10 in pieces, scrap America and 68's rule ! r68c30@hotmail.com + MSN messenger + 24/7/365 = truck talk



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