What should you upgrade? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

_ABC_ · 06-12-2023, 02:10 AM

Hello, I am looking for things to upgrade/modernize when rebuilding/restoring my 1970 Chevrolet C10. I am looking for (functional) items, some of the ones I have planned are:

Front disk brake conversion (1973-87 HD rotors, 2.5” drop spindles, ball joints and outer tie rod ends)
Front/rear sway bar
Lower control arm u-bolt size upgrade 7/16 to 9/16 (which I just came across last week)
1975 steering box upgrade for quicker ratio steering (just came across this one as I was typing this up)

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

ghackett1 · 06-12-2023, 07:26 AM

I just added front and rear sway bars to my 68. I found an original front sway bar and used the CCP poly bushings and for the rear I picked up the CCP rear sway bar and poly bushings kit. Not a difficult install and the truck handles MUCH better in the turns. There are other companies selling but this was my experience. Good luck.

**special-K** · 06-12-2023, 08:30 AM

Nothing really needed. These trucks have become what they are from being what they've been. GM got it right over 50 years ago. These are everything a truck ever needed to be

72SB · 06-12-2023, 11:07 AM

+1 on front sway bar if it does not have one. I got the 1 1/4" from CPP

**A1971Blazer** · 06-12-2023, 11:24 AM

Front disc conversion and anti-sway bar are two of the best upgrades.

**1970 CST Short Wide** · 06-12-2023, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A1971Blazer

Front disc conversion and anti-sway bar are two of the best upgrades.

I’ll 2nd That

jnewt · 06-12-2023, 12:27 PM

"What should you upgrade?"

Seatbelts. Install a 3 point set up with shoulder belts.

**halfstep** · 06-12-2023, 07:20 PM

HEI ignition/distributor.
although...Points can/do work fine and when the China/USGovt hits the populace with EMP (electromagnetic pulses) your truck will be one of few vehicles running.

**dmjlambert** · 06-12-2023, 07:37 PM

I like it pretty much stock, but with everything in working condition. Although I did get stock from later model year HEI distributor and 1971 manual disc front brakes. I wish the previous owner of my truck had left the AM radio alone. I put a bluetooth amp and speakers hidden under the seat and am working to put the dash and an original AM radio back in it. Gas tank right there in the cab with you and hearing the gas slosh around is another good thing to leave alone.

custom10nut · 06-13-2023, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1970 CST Short Wide

I’ll 2nd That

And I’ll give the Swaybar and brake upgrade a 3rd vote.
I added a Factory sway bar to mine many years ago, and there’s a night/day different sin handling. I have the brake conversion kit ready, but just haven’t had the time to install it.
While a fully optioned truck from this era is as perfect as they come, you’re really just adding factory options anyway.
I never thought about the Quick ratio Steering Box, so I’ll have to look into that for mine (700 C-10 LWB).

**HO455** · 06-13-2023, 02:34 PM

Since you've rebuilding the front suspension I would recommend doing the caster mod especially if you're planning on driving a lot of highway miles. It's an easy unobtrusive modification that can be reversed.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=501241

Some kind overdrive is a nice addition too.

06-12-2023, 02:10 AM	#1
_ABC_ Registered User Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Canada Posts: 14	What should you upgrade? Hello, I am looking for things to upgrade/modernize when rebuilding/restoring my 1970 Chevrolet C10. I am looking for (functional) items, some of the ones I have planned are: Front disk brake conversion (1973-87 HD rotors, 2.5” drop spindles, ball joints and outer tie rod ends) Front/rear sway bar Lower control arm u-bolt size upgrade 7/16 to 9/16 (which I just came across last week) 1975 steering box upgrade for quicker ratio steering (just came across this one as I was typing this up) Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

06-12-2023, 07:26 AM	#2
ghackett1 68 C10 Longbed Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Naples, Florida Posts: 519	Re: What should you upgrade? I just added front and rear sway bars to my 68. I found an original front sway bar and used the CCP poly bushings and for the rear I picked up the CCP rear sway bar and poly bushings kit. Not a difficult install and the truck handles MUCH better in the turns. There are other companies selling but this was my experience. Good luck.

06-12-2023, 08:30 AM	#3
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: What should you upgrade? Nothing really needed. These trucks have become what they are from being what they've been. GM got it right over 50 years ago. These are everything a truck ever needed to be __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

06-12-2023, 11:07 AM	#4
72SB Registered User Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Moorpark, CA Posts: 775	Re: What should you upgrade? +1 on front sway bar if it does not have one. I got the 1 1/4" from CPP

06-12-2023, 11:24 AM	#5
A1971Blazer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 2,200	Re: What should you upgrade? Front disc conversion and anti-sway bar are two of the best upgrades. __________________ 1967 C10 Step side 1968 C10 Step side 1970 Chevrolet K/5 Blazer 1972 Chevrolet K/5 Blazer .............

06-12-2023, 12:27 PM	#7
jnewt Registered User Join Date: May 2022 Location: Muskogee, Ok Posts: 17	Re: What should you upgrade? "What should you upgrade?" Seatbelts. Install a 3 point set up with shoulder belts.

06-12-2023, 07:20 PM	#8
halfstep Registered User Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Maryland Posts: 246	Re: What should you upgrade? HEI ignition/distributor. although...Points can/do work fine and when the China/USGovt hits the populace with EMP (electromagnetic pulses) your truck will be one of few vehicles running.

06-12-2023, 07:37 PM	#9
dmjlambert Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 3,885	Re: What should you upgrade? I like it pretty much stock, but with everything in working condition. Although I did get stock from later model year HEI distributor and 1971 manual disc front brakes. I wish the previous owner of my truck had left the AM radio alone. I put a bluetooth amp and speakers hidden under the seat and am working to put the dash and an original AM radio back in it. Gas tank right there in the cab with you and hearing the gas slosh around is another good thing to leave alone.

06-13-2023, 02:34 PM	#11
HO455 Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 11,393	Re: What should you upgrade? Since you've rebuilding the front suspension I would recommend doing the caster mod especially if you're planning on driving a lot of highway miles. It's an easy unobtrusive modification that can be reversed. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=501241 Some kind overdrive is a nice addition too. __________________ Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377



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