62 C10 Brake Dilemma

[Bennys 62 C10]

Hello ALL My name is Benny and I have a 62 C10 Stepside Im working on restoring and have a dilemma. It involves the brakes, Im wanting to lower the truck and want to keep the drum brakes all around with the 6 lug. So Im wondering why the drop spindles will not work with the drums?? Yes the 62 has torsion bar suspension and I know I can lower by adjusting, but I do not want to effect ride quality and or stress to ball joints and reduce my tire life. I have been told that the only difference was size of bearings, is this true and what do I need to use disc drop spindles and keep the drums? Is this possible?? Please Im in need of some wisdom! Thanks for any help in advance

[The Rocknrod]

Not sure on the 62, but my 64 drop spindles use 71-87 2wd ½ ton Chevrolet with 1.25" thickness Rotors. So the drums were built with different bearing specifications in 62 than they were for 71-87 discs. Hence the reason they dont work on drums.

[LVPhotos]

They have 6 lug disk. The ride is softer with the bars down. I didn't see much tire wear and ball joints needed replacement. What are the goals for this truck? Daily driver, weekend worrier, stock, big power? You want better brake.
Speedway Motors is not far from you. They carry our trucks stuff.

[jtrichard]

Drum spindles have a mounting area for the backing plate to bolt to ...... Disc spindles have a bracket built in for retaining the caliper and NO drum backing plate mount That is why you cant use drums on drop spindles and since MOST people that drop also want disc brakes there is not enough calling to make drop spindles for drums

[Bennys 62 C10]

Thank You for the info. Yes I believe the 60-62 are their own beast, as they are torsion bar suspension, so I think the ball joints and control arms are completely different also since the 63-66 have coil suspension in front. Correct me if I'm wrong, hell I wish I could use the 73-87, not only is it way easier to find the parts, but also more cost efficient!

[Bennys 62 C10]

Ok well the goal is more of a weekend warrior and a custom build than anything. Ive got a 292 I plan on getting as much power out of, but that's later down the road, this year Id just like to complete it to be a driver on occasion. How much of a drop can I get out of adjusting the torsion bars? And would it make the ride bouncy in the front?? Thanks for your knowledge, maybe sometime I can return the favor

[LVPhotos]

Conversion-Kit-Stock-or-Drop-Spindle-5-or-6-Lug/

[LVPhotos]

Here is max, no bumpstop, short 235/60/15 front. The rear on bags with Schrader valves ride is what you put a good shock on for.

[jtrichard]

Originally Posted by bennys 62 c10

hell i wish i could use the 73-87, not only is it way easier to find the parts, but also more cost efficient!

you can ...... just change the cross member http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=582894

AND http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=366828