63 3/4ton control arm swap

[Captainfab]

I honestly don't know about the V6 engine mounts as I have not had any experience with those other than removing them. Yes I have seen/heard that the crossmember can be changed with the engine in place, but it just seems much more difficult that just pulling the engine and having the room you need to do the job correctly. Of course to me, pulling an engine in one of these older trucks is quite simple and can be done in a few hours.

Changing the crossmember does not change the geometry in a lowered stands. What changing the crossmember does, is allow you to use a lower control arm other than a stock '63-'66 C20 lower control arm. Which is what I thought your goal was.

Yes there are dropped spindles for the C20's, but as far as I know you will be stuck with an 8 lug wheel. Also I do not know if there is a dropped spindle that will accept the '63-'66 C20 lower ball joint. That would be something to check with a spindle manufacturer or seller about.

The one and only C20 that I was involved with in converting to a C10, we changed the entire front suspension, including the crossmember.

Originally Posted by PLYONS11

Would the 305v6 engine mounts work with the c10 crossmember? If I remember correctly the bottom bolts of the engine mounts bolt to the crossmember? I also believe I read that it could be replaced/swapped without pulling the engine as long as I supported the engine with a hoist from the top. Is that correct? Aside from the fact that the later model parts are more readily available and likely less expensive are there any other advantages to be gained by swapping the crossmember? If I chose to just buy a drop spindle specifically for the c20 that utilizes the factory ball joint would the geometry all work in a lowered stance? Or am I not understanding your post and you are saying that none of these parts are made? For some reason I feel like I've seen a drop spindle for the c20, but I can't remember where. I just did a quick search and I can't find it now.

Captain I want to take a minute to thank you for all your knowledge and time spent listening to my questions and offering so much advice. This is by far my biggest/most in depth project I have even taken on automotively speaking. The people on this forum are just awesome. I'd still be searching the Internet for my millions of questions and would have completed no progress without you guys!

I've made the commitment and already invested a fair amount of time and money in this project so I want to see it to completion and get my grandfathers truck back in the road, but knowing what I know now I would have just kept it original or bought a C10 to start with. Every time I finish something in converting this thing to a half ton I run into another hurdle.