62 Chevrolet C10 StepSide

[ckeenum]

Hello all,
I am new to the GM life and need a little assistance. I recently traded my 1990 Dodge D150 for a 1962 Chevrolet C10 StepSide 2wd. It has no motor or trans, body is is decent shape and I plan to build it to drive. Firstly, I cannot find any decent images of the front steering setup of this model as mine is missing some other parts and the steering is currently just free (no real direction for either wheel). I think I need a drag link but do not know enough to understand exactly what I need. Tie Rod ends are just hanging with no connection. Secondly, I know I can swap components from a 80's model C10 to convert my front rotors to 5 lug and disc brakes, but what about the back. Like I said, I am looking to make this thing a driver and yes I know there is no problem with drums, it is just a preference. Any other comments or ideas, feel free to post.

[62 Barnfind]

I'll try to get you a pic later of my stock front end. They do see a disk brake conversion for the 60-62 trucks that you can change to 5 lugs and a 2.5 drop if you want. That's what I'm planning to do to mine in the future because I don't want to do all the mods to get it in. Some have done the 80s conversion and came out good. Marke01 did one to his truck, just look it up in the search. What are you planning on for the engine and trans?

[62stepside longbox]

I'll get some pics of my stock 62 front end when I get home.

[ckeenum]

Originally Posted by 62 Barnfind

I'll try to get you a pic later of my stock front end. They do see a disk brake conversion for the 60-62 trucks that you can change to 5 lugs and a 2.5 drop if you want. That's what I'm planning to do to mine in the future because I don't want to do all the mods to get it in. Some have done the 80s conversion and came out good. Marke01 did one to his truck, just look it up in the search. What are you planning on for the engine and trans?

I haven't made anything official. I figure a 350 will be the easiest to find and cheapest (considering budget). I am open to slapping anything in it however. I haven't done any research into transmissions and do not know where to start. I don't know whether stock or aftermarket, my truck has a clutch and stick on the floor. I want to get it lower, not planning on bagging it yet. Lowering coil springs or something, haven't done enough research yet.

[Monte's62]

This is all I have but it may help a little. My perches are for a sbc so that may help you if you go the 350 route, which I would recommend. Also if you do want to lower cheaply, I would say drop spindles which I think are available for 60-62 trucks now and crank your torsion bars down to a safe or desired level.

[Monte's62]

Oops, meant to send this one.

[Captainfab]

Welcome to the forum

Since there is no engine in your truck, this would be the time to switch the whole front suspension for a '73-'87 suspension. It can easily be done in a weekend.

[ckeenum]

Originally Posted by Monte's62

Attachment 1478149

This is all I have but it may help a little. My perches are for a sbc so that may help you if you go the 350 route, which I would recommend. Also if you do want to lower cheaply, I would say drop spindles which I think are available for 60-62 trucks now and crank your torsion bars down to a safe or desired level.

Thanks for the info, I am sure this will help me along the way.

[ckeenum]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Welcome to the forum

Since there is no engine in your truck, this would be the time to switch the whole front suspension for a '73-'87 suspension. It can easily be done in a weekend.

So I have read a couple of different post in regards to this. There is the "take the cross member and all" or there is the "take everything from the control arms, springs and spindles". Which is the better option. Also, any infor on swapping to disc out back?

[Monte's62]

Originally Posted by ckeenum

So I have read a couple of different post in regards to this. There is the "take the cross member and all" or there is the "take everything from the control arms, springs and spindles". Which is the better option. Also, any infor on swapping to disc out back?

Do you have the stock torsion bar suspension? If so, as Capt mentioned now would be the time to convert. You can pick them relatively cheap and there are several good threads that explain this conversion in detail. The next question is how low do you want to go and are you ever planning on bags? It sounds like you just want to lower on the cheap. One of the reasons to get away from stock 62 suspension is better availability and cheaper bushings, more adjustability with springs, until recently drop spindles, discs and 5 lugs. I mentioned drop spindles and cranking the torsion bars as one cheap option, but if you want it lowered and plan on keeping it most guys will recommend converting.

[ckeenum]

Originally Posted by Monte's62

Do you have the stock torsion bar suspension? If so, as Capt mentioned now would be the time to convert. You can pick them relatively cheap and there are several good threads that explain this conversion in detail. The next question is how low do you want to go and are you ever planning on bags? It sounds like you just want to lower on the cheap. One of the reasons to get away from stock 62 suspension is better availability and cheaper bushings, more adjustability with springs, until recently drop spindles, discs and 5 lugs. I mentioned drop spindles and cranking the torsion bars as one cheap option, but if you want it lowered and plan on keeping it most guys will recommend converting.

I will get pics and post later. I am pretty sure it is mostly original. I only plan to lower it a little. I am not looking to touch the floor but when or if I decide to throw a set of wheels on it(20's or offset 18's and 20's or 20's and 22's), I want it to looking proportionally correct.

[Captainfab]

On the '60-'62's you must change the crossmember if you want to upgrade to the better front suspension with disc brakes. As mentioned above, you can buy aftermarket dropped spindles for the '60-'62 front suspension. It's just a matter of what you want and what your budget is.

As for rear disc brakes, I make 5 different rear disc brackets. Three for the 5 x 5" wheel stud pattern and 2 for the 6 x 5.5". However these are only for the '64-'82 12 bolt and '79-'87 10 bolts, To my knowledge there are no rear disc brackets or conversion axles for the Eaton HO32/33 differential that originally came under the '60-'62 Chevy trucks.

Originally Posted by ckeenum

So I have read a couple of different post in regards to this. There is the "take the cross member and all" or there is the "take everything from the control arms, springs and spindles". Which is the better option. Also, any infor on swapping to disc out back?

[number10]

We did the cross member conversion on a 66 using one from a 1986 at home and love it. Had to fab some upper shock mounts and drill a couple of holes but for what you get in the trade off is great. I did a 350 with T5 and truck is a ball to drive. All the info came from this site and was spot on. The trans swap was done in the driveway over a few days as the driveshaft was sent out for shortening and balance with new u joints. May seem cheaper to use the original crossmember and convert it but wont in the long run