65 C20 to C10 changeover

[69SCSS]

Quick question. I have a customer truck that's a 65 C20 that he wants to swap to C10 front suspension and discs. Wanna make sure all I need that is not replaceable wear items are the complete control arms upper and lower, centerlink (which I may be able to use the stock C20 one?) and the spindles. I will replace ball joints, tie rods, discs, calipers, hoses, etc., but just want to make sure. I know it's as easy as getting a whole assembly, but trying to avoid pulling the engine. This is going to be stock height and suspension, he just wants it to be safer and more reliable down the road.

Thanks in advance, I just want to make sure the 63-66 are the same deal as the 67-70 swap.

[Captainfab]

The '63-'66 C20's & C30's have a flat lower control arm shaft. Consequently there are no saddles to accept a C10 round lower control arm shaft. I have heard that there is a special spindle for the C20 to C10 conversion, but I can not verify that nor do I know who supposedly makes one. Personally I would just change the entire suspension crossmember and all for one out of a '73-'87 C10.

[69SCSS]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

The '63-'66 C20's & C30's have a flat lower control arm shaft. Consequently there are no saddles to accept a C10 round lower control arm shaft. I have heard that there is a special spindle for the C20 to C10 conversion, but I can not verify that nor do I know who supposedly makes one. Personally I would just change the entire suspension crossmember and all for one out of a '73-'87 C10.

If that is the case I can prob put the later ball joint in the stock lower control arm. The uppers are the same except the ball joint, so prob use them. Just need spindles I guess.
I saw CPP makes swap spindles, but trying to keep costs low.
Thanks for the info!

[Captainfab]

I don't think the '73-'87 C10 lower ball joint will fit the '63-'66 C20 lower control arm.

Originally Posted by 69SCSS

If that is the case I can prob put the later ball joint in the stock lower control arm. The uppers are the same except the ball joint, so prob use them. Just need spindles I guess.
I saw CPP makes swap spindles, but trying to keep costs low.
Thanks for the info!

[69SCSS]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

I don't think the '73-'87 C10 lower ball joint will fit the '63-'66 C20 lower control arm.

Well crap. Will a 71-72? I know either the upper or lower is the same 71-87 forget.

Looking like I might have to get the whole crossmember...

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

...clip... Personally I would just change the entire suspension crossmember and all for one out of a '73-'87 C10.

I did this on my 66 C20, and will be doing it on my 65.

[69SCSS]

How well do those c20 to c10 spindles work? Anyone use them?

[rickywideglide]

Originally Posted by 69SCSS

How well do those c20 to c10 spindles work? Anyone use them?

I used the c20 to c10 kit from ece(which is out of business)pretty straight forward install,kit came with spindles,rotors,calipers all necessary hardware and lines....I believe the spindles are c10 bored out for larger balljoint,

[Captainfab]

Sorry but I have no idea. I have never changed a C20 to a C10. I have upgraded a C20 to disc brakes using a '73-'87 C20 front suspension.

Originally Posted by 69SCSS

Well crap. Will a 71-72? I know either the upper or lower is the same 71-87 forget.

Looking like I might have to get the whole crossmember...

[69SCSS]

So as far as parts, are the upper control arms the same? Will the shaft for the lower control arm fit in the C10 arm, or is it larger also? Seems like I can swap the upper control arm ball joint, but maybe not?
Finding pics for this stuff has been tough, so any info you guys have on the c10/c20 differences will help a lot!

Here's something I was just wondering, is the actual crossmember different between c10/c20?

[LostMy65]

Is there a reason you don't want to just roll out the whole older cross member for a 73-87? It's an easy inexpensive swap and all the parts will be the same instead of mix-matched.

[69SCSS]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

Is there a reason you don't want to just roll out the whole older cross member for a 73-87? It's an easy inexpensive swap and all the parts will be the same instead of mix-matched.

Just trying to gather as much info as I can. Since the customer wants a low buck build, just trying to make sure I do as much research as I can. If it was my truck I would just do what I did with my 68 and just tear it all down and swap in the later stuff.

It does seem that finding a full setup is going to be cheaper. Just trying to keep as much of the original parts as I can.

Thanks!

[LostMy65]

Here is lots of info:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...39#post4432139

[Asshat]

I stopped by ABS Brakes in Orange CA, they told me $900 for the conversion kit; it includes the parts and them turning down your existing spindles. I have a 63 C20 and was thinking about doing the same thing.

[Captainfab]

I do not know if the C20 LCA shaft will fit a C10 LCA. I've never tried it......no reason to. Yes the crossmember is different as I stated before. There are no saddles to accept a round LCA shaft. I have a pic of a '63-'66 C20 LCA but it is apparently on my other computer.

Originally Posted by 69SCSS

So as far as parts, are the upper control arms the same? Will the shaft for the lower control arm fit in the C10 arm, or is it larger also? Seems like I can swap the upper control arm ball joint, but maybe not?
Finding pics for this stuff has been tough, so any info you guys have on the c10/c20 differences will help a lot!

Here's something I was just wondering, is the actual crossmember different between c10/c20?

[69SCSS]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

Here is lots of info:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...39#post4432139

That is some serious info. Thank you very much!!!

[69SCSS]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

I do not know if the C20 LCA shaft will fit a C10 LCA. I've never tried it......no reason to. Yes the crossmember is different as I stated before. There are no saddles to accept a round LCA shaft. I have a pic of a '63-'66 C20 LCA but it is apparently on my other computer.

Not a problem, I am going to just find a donor. I have a few emails out to CL ads. I was trying to avoid having to pull the stock crossmember and hoist the engine, but looks like that is the best bet. Going to work on the rear half first then tackle the front.

Thank you for your help!

[LostMy65]

You don't have to hoist the engine.
There's a thread here where they raised it 1/2 inch off the cross member and supported it with a 2x4 under the balancer.

I paid $50 for a complete 79 C20 crossmember with discs and $100 for a 79 1/2 ton with discs.

[69SCSS]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

You don't have to hoist the engine.
There's a thread here where they raised it 1/2 inch off the cross member and supported it with a 2x4 under the balancer.

Kinda what I meant, was going to lift the engine slightly, drop the crossmember, raise the new crossmember, bolt it in and drop it on. Obviously gotta do it all in one go, don't wanna leave it hanging on the hoist overnight!

[LostMy65]

I think the customer will be happy with this route. My 66 is a 79. So it's easy to know what parts I may need for maintenance and repairs in the future.
From my 66 thread:

Originally Posted by LostMy65

Yep.
I just rolled mine out, and rolled the other in.
Needed to drill a new upper front hole and wallow out the lower.
Like Highlander shows in these pics:

[whateverpratt]

Originally Posted by 69SCSS

Not a problem, I am going to just find a donor. I have a few emails out to CL ads. I was trying to avoid having to pull the stock crossmember and hoist the engine, but looks like that is the best bet. Going to work on the rear half first then tackle the front.

Thank you for your help!

Like others have said, no need to hoist the motor.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=761325

Post#4 shows some poor photography of my truck when I did my swap. Assuming you have the original bellhousing crossmember with a transmission hanging off the back, you'll be fine