What parts can be used on '68 C-20?

[PKelly]

My dad has a 1978 Chevy Bonanaza in our barn that is rotten beyond belief. It has a 305 in it that is in pretty rough shape but runs. What parts can I use off of this '78 on my '68 C-20 that I'll most likely restore in a few years? Suspension? Tilt steering? Rear end (3.07)?
In other words, is it worth keeping this heap around? (the '68 has a 396/TH400 in it that I'll rebuild so the 305 is useless to me)
Of course I don't know what condition the parts are in but I'd like to hold onto them if they can be transferred to the '68 if needed.

[John Fabris]

what is the 78? (1/2 ton or 3/4 ton)

[PKelly]

It's a 1/2 ton. I'm not opposed to converting the '68 to a 1/2 ton...I recall it wasn't a very comfortable ride unless loaded (usually firewood and brush).

[John Fabris]

I think that pretty much all you can use would the front suspension (either in parts or use the whole engine cradle and suspension). Grab the powersteering gearbox as well if you don't already have PS. May consider using the brake booster from the 78 if you don't have powerbrakes. Also, if the 78 has a front sway bar, grab that and its brackets...

That may be pretty much it for the bolt in stuff. The rear end one the 78 would be nice to have if you want five lug, but it is a leafspring rear and your 68 should be a coil rear (unless it is a leaf rear end)....

I may be missing somethings

[PKelly]

Thanks John!
The '68 has power brakes, power steering (and AC!) I'm not sure if the '78 has a front sway bar. The '68 does have coil springs in the rear.

If I converted to a 5 lug to have better wheel options and disc brakes(currently the C-20 has 16.5 rims and, of course, drums all the way around) would a 3.07 rear end be "worse" than keeping the original? I'm assuming I'd take both axles off the '78 so I could have disc brakes in the front and 5 lug wheels all the way around. Am I thinking correctly?
Or...is there a 6 lug disc brake option out there?

Sorry for amateur questions, I'm really new to this...ok with changing brakes, oil changes, etc. but don't know a lot about drive trains/suspensions, etc. I've never dug that deep into a vehicle.

[Kager67]

I converted my '67 3/4 ton to a 1/2 using a rusted out 71 GMC (sorry GMC guys). If I remember correctly, I used the A arms and spindles off of the 71 for the front susp. Also used the p/s stuff off of the 71 so I could get rid of the ram assist crap on mine. As far as the rear goes you will need to use the entire rearend and convert it to work with your coil springs. They make a kit to do so, but it does require some welding. After I did mine, it was like a new pickup.


kage

[GREASEMONKEY72]

you can use the whole the front cressmember and it more or less bolts up to your frame with drilling a couple holes IIRC and as far as the rearend i dont know the width difference but you can most likely make it work if you have some welding skills

[special-K]

Your truck with 396 prolly has a 3.08 rear in it.

[PKelly]

special-K,

If it does have a 3.08 rear, then a 3.07 sounds like it's not all that different. Is that true? How do I find out what the rear end is? I know the differential cover is not round.

[special-K]

Ok,you have a Dana60 coil rear.A simple no wrench/oil way to do ratio check is make a tire`s location on the ground and mark the driveshaft at the rear housing for reference.Jack up that tire and spin.Count how many times the tire spins to the one turn of the driveshaft.Just a bit over 3 revs would be the 3.08 or Dana equivalent.At 3 plus about 3/4,it`s a 3.73,at 4 plus a bit,it`s a 4.10.
There were two axles used in these trucks,Dana60 and Eaton HO52.The two companies varied their ratios a bit,but real close.The big blocks with Turbohydramatic trans came with the higher 3.08 ratio standard.
If you do swap to 1/2t suspension,you can bolt a coil 12-bolt rear right in there.The`78 could be used,too.