1972 C1500 Handling Characteristics

[mrlobster]

Hi All,
I'm a new member to the forum and a new owner of a '72 GMC 1500 Super Custom. It's not meant to be a full restoration, just a fun hobby that keeps me busy on weekends.
I'm curious about the steering. I know that it's 42 years old so my expectations need to be kept in check.
How have you improved the steering and body roll on this model? Is there a way to tighten up the power steering? Would a sway-bar kit help? Springs? Shocks?
I know it's not an F1 car, but some improvement to the steering and body roll would be good.
Thanks!

[Already Gone]

Hi and welcome to the boards from Saskatoon. First make sure your front end is not worn out, like the ball joints, tie rod ends etc. A new set of shock absorbers will help too. If your truck does not have one, a front sway bar will make a huge difference in the handing of your truck. A step further you could replace the steering box with a quick ratio one. If money is no object you could order a complete Hotchkiss Suspension package but they are 6000.00 US.

[engineer_gregh]

I'll second what Already Gone said. I've added CPP front and rear sway bars after rebuilding the front end and its vastly improved. Both bars can be bought at the CPP web site or Ebay and will be ~$250. Very little body roll now. A new steering box with rag joint is not expensive, typically less than $200. If you can do the work yourself for less than a $1,000 for front end rebuild, sway bars, and steering box it will be worth the effort. Welcome to the board. Nice looking GMC.

[Already Gone]

You can also get a front sway bar from any 73-87 Chev or GMC 10, 20 or 30 series truck. I'd look for a 3/4 ton ( C20 ) or 1 ton ( C30 ) truck with the 1 1/4 inch bar and that along with new polyurethane bushings will make your truck feel like a sports car.

[mrlobster]

Thanks for the replies. I'll definitely be going the front-end rebuild + sway bar route.

[Stocker]

What the others have already said, and to further improve the handling, definitely get a rear sway bar as suggested by engineer_gregh.

[Southcity]

In addition to all the great advise you have received already make sure to get a front end alignment once your front end rebuild is complete and check the front tire condition as well, this will help in making all your new parts work as they should.

[PCHRODS]

Very cool truck and welcome to the board. I always try and lend an hand at the suspension game on these C-10's. Not because I claim to "know it all" but i've damn near tried it all except for bags, i won't do bags. As many of you know, i was the guinnea pig for the Hotchkis TVS suspension. ultimately this is one of the better ways to go, I believe you can buy it through www.summitracing.com for around 4200.00. Also understanding that is quite an investment for a truck that is going to assume the roll of "daily driver" or a "weekend project" for lack of a better term. Is it worth it, yes in the long run. But I agree with the previous comments made before this one. I have not been a fan of CPP's product for what we do with these trucks. Don't get me wrong their stuff works, but we've found some things that work just a little bit better in some cases for the same cost if not cheaper. If you are not going to take it to the track or local auto cross, then you really don't "need" a TVS kit. to help put the C10 lean to rest a few often over looked items that you should look at replacing when you go to do your front end build. would be front springs, keep in mind those springs are 40+ years old and have well served their duty. Upgrading to a Big Block Spring even if you are running a small block is ok, it will help stable out the front end with a sway bar it will be a huge difference. Now the second item would be a rear sway bar, not only does it help the back stay put, it works with the front to help the front one be more efficient. The chassis on these trucks flex alot, when i say alot, it's more than any of us think they do. So if it were my truck and I was going to build a driver that handles better than a normal truck here's my parts list I would buy.

For $575 Early Classic Enterprises offers a complete front end rebuild kit using all MOOG parts, comes with every thing, ball joints, tie rods, tie rod sleeves, upper and lower control arms shafts, an idler arm and a pitman arm.
$200 Early Classic Sway Bar with Poly bushings
$114 stock height or drop springs in big block or small block rates
CPP has a rear sway bar as well as Hotchkis offers two different version. both work well
a good set of shocks, Bilstiens are the best way to go, but their are others that are just as good.
Steering Box, if you search online their are companies that offer a quick ratio box for the C10's this is another good investment, helps the truck not steer like a truck, this is worth it too.

I hope I didn't overwhelm anyone with my babbling.