'62 Front Suspension/Disc Brakes/Torsion Bars

[thebacon]

My question ties in to all of them, currently taking all the pieces apart to repaint them, and swap to disc brakes hopefully.

I see that a lot of people just swap the whole bar for a '73-'87, is it possible to have disc brakes with the original?

I assume a disc brake "kit" for a 62 would work with torsion bars, but at the price of 2,000?

Do the torsion bars come out then fit back into the control arms?

Would it be better to work around it with it left together?

Thanks.

[bob-n]

You can put on disk brakes with torsion bars, there's kits on eBay for all of it, plus a 2.5" drop spindle, total $500. I did mine last month, works great, rides like a caddy? The only reason to swap away from the torsion bars is personal preference or for future mods. I'd leave the bars alone, removing them can be dramatic.
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[thebacon]

Ah, yea I'd rather keep the torsion. Was asking about taking them apart to make it easier to paint.
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[bob-n]

Here's the kit with 6 lug rotors that I bought.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1960-1962-Ch...item589269c789

I was warned about the seller.. long delivery, poor customer service, etc. Mine arrived with 5 lug rotors instead of 6.. and they jumped right on it and had me the correct rotors the next day and of course covered all return shipping... that is with 2.5" drop spindles.

[LostMy65]

Here's a couple threads I found using the forum search feature:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...hlight=torsion

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...hlight=torsion

Basically you want the 60-62 modular spindles.
They allow you to keep the torsion bars, and use 73-87 parts, without increasing the track width.
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[LostMy65]

I think you might be able to save a little money if you go with 5 lug. Buy just the 60-62 modular drop spindles, then pull everything else off a 73-87 donor.
That way you get the booster, lines, combination valve - everything needed to make the conversion.
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[bob-n]

Lost, that was my original plan too... Still have the full stub. Time constraints to get the truck to world of wheels show made me elect to buy the kit since it was 100% complete, except for a line adapter.
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[thebacon]

If I really wanted to remove the torsion bars, whats the best way to do it?

I plan on painting them and the control arms with por15 so if I could pull them apart the paint could look nicer.

[doobiebro]

Bacon I kept the torsion bars because of the smooth ride. I bought 2.5 drop spindles and disc brake conversion from CPP....The only reason why people change because the ball joints on 60-62 were very expensive but not no more (cheaper on the web)..

[forestb]

I put a 77 front cross member in mine and wouldn't recommend it unless you want to bag it in the future or want to lower it more than would be wise with torsion bars. I am still kind of wondering why I did.

I think you would be best off just painting the lower control arms with the bars installed. I hear they are a real pain in the neck to take out and then put back in.

[Blue Blood]

I'm going the CPP route myself w/ discs, calipers, drop spindles & dual master w/ booster...it's a bit over 1,000 total but worth it.

[doobiebro]

Originally Posted by Blue Blood

I'm going the CPP route myself w/ discs, calipers, drop spindles & dual master w/ booster...it's a bit over 1,000 total but worth it.

Blue Blood the route you going is what I did and well worth it...Also go with the 4 inch drop rear coils.. I need to post a pic on the dual master w/booster..

[LostMy65]

I posted this in the other 62 Torsion Disc Thread:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=400272

But I figured it was good enough news to post here also:

_____________________________________________

POL is having a sale:
60-62 Drop Spindles for $206.09

Just choose 60-62 in the dropdown selection.

Use Code: 0212

http://www.performanceonline.com/196...dle-Set-16683/

[fleetsidelarry]

POL also has a really great deal on the lower ball joints for the 60-62 trucks

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by fleetsidelarry

POL also has a really great deal on the lower ball joints for the 60-62 trucks

Yes, and they also allow the coupon code in addition to the sale price:

[GMR-PERFORMANCE]

If you get the NON modular style dropped front spindels the front wheels will be about further than stock. I got all of my parts for the swap from a 84 heavy 1/2.. I bought the CCP spindels and springs and there shocks and a pwr steering plate kit and sway bar. The rest was a pick a part. I had to drill some holes for the idler and move the shock brackets back. But the parts went on very smooth. Saved a ton of money.

[thebacon]

With a 2.5 in drop do you lose that much clearance on the front? Im not sure how much and where I'll end up driving mine. But I can see it going on a non flat non paved road someday.

Or is the 2.5in hardly noticeable clearance wise?
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[GMR-PERFORMANCE]

I recall some one posting up on a kit like mine vs going lower and anything over the 4 mark was a issue with drive ways, entrance ramps off roads etc.. Yes a 2.5 drop in the front will be noticed. Start there and add the springs later if you want.

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by GMR-PERFORMANCE

If you get the NON modular style dropped front spindels the front wheels will be out further than stock. I got all of my parts for the swap from a 84 heavy 1/2.. I bought the CCP spindels and springs and there shocks and a pwr steering plate kit and sway bar. The rest was a pick a part. I had to drill some holes for the idler and move the shock brackets back. But the parts went on very smooth. Saved a ton of money.

I'm almost positive you are correct.

But, This is the exact conflict of info that keeps getting spread.

Justin from CPP told me the Non-Modular will not increase the track width (infact he said none of their spindles will increase the track width)

I'm starting to think they mean it won't increase the track width in relation to the 1973-87 stock track width. - Which still translates to 3/4" per side over the 60-66 Drum Wheel Mounting Surface.

If we read the word choice for the Modular, it says it will bring the wheels in;

....provides 1-1/8" more fender to tire clearance, allows use with standard factory brakes and.....

So on the 73-87 trucks, this spindle will actually give someone more fender clearance because the 73-87 trucks have a wider stock track width than the 60-66. But on the 60-66, these modular spindles bring the wheels into a narrower track width than normally would happen with a disc brake conversion of a 60-66 truck.

^ If any of that makes sense. :-/

So basically I'm saying I believe GMR-PERFORMANCE has his information correct.

[LostMy65]

I'm sorry if this upsets Justin, but here is his email:

"Robert on all of the cpp spindals they sell they will bring in the wheels 3/4 per side and I had this discussion with Jim on sat who is the owner of Cpp

Justin ▶ "
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[LostMy65]

And this is why it is such a big deal to me for the wheels to not even move out 1/2" from where they are now:

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[GMR-PERFORMANCE]

Nothing wrong with getting the INFO correct for what we are doing. If its some double talk by the CPP guys then it needs to be put straight.. CPP made several mistakes on what they shipped me. SO to make it right when I ordered my spindles they "upgraded" mine to the modular for no extra charge as I am very specific on when I order parts what I need them for.

I would be happy to pull my front wheels off and measure frome rotor to rotor if someone has the standard CPP spindles with heavy have rotors on there 60-62 truck.

The off set on the front I can look up but the only thing I messed with off set wise was the rear. for the 275 tires.


two pics white truck with stock set up..( coil overs, yes 62 was not coil over but that is how it came from what I have gathered late build ?? ) vs what I have now.

[jrisch]

Originally Posted by thebacon

Ah, yea I'd rather keep the torsion. Was asking about taking them apart to make it easier to paint.
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I dont know if anyone answered your question or not on how to get the torsion bars out, I ended up taking the lower Contol arms and torsion bars completly out of the truck and I soaked the inside of the tubes with WD-40 Rust release let it sit over night, the next day I held on to the A-arm and hit the torsion bar end on the ground and it broke free real easy! Once it came loose I cleaned the end of the torsion bar and was able to slide it out the other direction.
I tried multiple ways to get them apart including heat, sledge hammer you name it I tried it on one side and them I tried the way I explaiened and they came right apart no issues

[GMR-PERFORMANCE]

On the idea of the T bar where cane someone buy a set of the drop keys??? My buddy has a 61 and would like to install the lowering keys. I searched around but could not locate them, maybe just not looking in the right place or using the right key word for a search.. Thanks

[jrisch]

Originally Posted by doobiebro

Attachment 877161Bacon I kept the torsion bars because of the smooth ride. I bought 2.5 drop spindles and disc brake conversion from CPP....The only reason why people change because the ball joints on 60-62 were very expensive but not no more (cheaper on the web)..

Are you running power Brakes with a booster??