Disc Brake Upgrade Reference Thread

[rudy350]

Posted via Mobile Device hey guy I just got this xmember yesterday $100 at my local,junk yard from a perfect 1977 c10 and a 1" swaybar too. I have a question my rear end 10 bolt leaf spring on my 65' gmc long bed I saw a donor Chevy 65' with a rear end 12 bolt but with trailing arms could that one be a bolt on for my gmc or do I have to stick to leaf spring ? But its a 5 lug and my truck its a 6 lug
Posted via Mobile Device

[Captainfab]

The 12 bolt fronm a '65 Chevy with trailing arms, won't just bolt up. There will be cutting and welding involved. Why not get the rear end from the same '77 C10 you got the front suspension from? Or are you going to convert the front to 6 lug? If you need a leaf spring rear end that simply bolts up, you will need one that was originally for a leaf spring truck. Either a '63-'70 C10 Chevy or GMC with leaf springs, or a '63-'87 K5/ K10 will be 6 lug.

[rudy350]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

The 12 bolt fronm a '65 Chevy with trailing arms, won't just bolt up. There will be cutting and welding involved. Why not get the rear end from the same '77 C10 you got the front suspension from? Or are you going to convert the front to 6 lug? If you need a leaf spring rear end that simply bolts up, you will need one that was originally for a leaf spring truck. Either a '63-'70 C10 Chevy or GMC with leaf springs, or a '63-'87 K5/ K10 will be 6 lug.

thats a great I dea ima go ahead and get that rear end from the donor. Is there gonna be any diffrence in the lenght of the rear end? . Whic one is better going 5 lug or 6 lug ?
How can I convert the donor (1977 c10) 5 lug rear end to a six lug ?
Posted via Mobile Device

[Captainfab]

The '71-'87 rear ends are 1.5" wider than the '60-'70 rear ends. 5 lugs or 6 is a personal preference, or to accomodate the wheels you want to run. If you need a 6 lug rear end, look for one in a K5 or K10.

Originally Posted by rudy350

thats a great I dea ima go ahead and get that rear end from the donor. Is there gonna be any diffrence in the lenght of the rear end? . Whic one is better going 5 lug or 6 lug ?
How can I convert the donor (1977 c10) 5 lug rear end to a six lug ?
Posted via Mobile Device

[rudy350]

Ok ill just keep,it simple and stay with the 5 lug front and donor rear end .. Since its 1.5" wider will my tires still be inside of the back wheel well ?
Posted via Mobile Device

[Captainfab]

That depends on what size tires and wheels you run on the back. You will just have to choose those accordingly to the room there is available. There are many guys here that run the wider rear differentials. You might try a search to see what backspacing those guys are using. I'm thinking you will need 3.750" +

[rudy350]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

That depends on what size tires and wheels you run on the back. You will just have to choose those accordingly to the room there is available. There are many guys here that run the wider rear differentials. You might try a search to see what backspacing those guys are using. I'm thinking you will need 3.750" +

What do,you mean by 3.750 " ???
Posted via Mobile Device

[Captainfab]

Wheel backspacing. Of course this depends on how wide of wheels and tires you are wanting to run.

Originally Posted by Captainfab

That depends on what size tires and wheels you run on the back. You will just have to choose those accordingly to the room there is available. There are many guys here that run the wider rear differentials. You might try a search to see what backspacing those guys are using. I'm thinking you will need 3.750" +

Originally Posted by rudy350

What do,you mean by 3.750 " ???
Posted via Mobile Device

[rudy350]

Im thinkinh of going 15x7 steelies on BFGoodrich t/a
Posted via Mobile Device

[rudy350]

So those im thinking on running .. So what demention aim I looking for tires and rims u have any pics of some good ones.
Posted via Mobile Device

[66chevyjunky]

Well I read through the thread, and maybe I missed it....Will 66 control arms accept 71-72 ball joints?

[Captainfab]

Yes they will as long as you stay within the same series. By that I mean C10 ball joints in C10 arms, C20 joints in C20 arms, etc. In fact the ball joints thru '87 will fit the '63-'66 control arms.

Originally Posted by 66chevyjunky

Well I read through the thread, and maybe I missed it....Will 66 control arms accept 71-72 ball joints?

[LostMy65]

I was wondering if the brake calipers off my 79 1/2 ton 4x4 suburban are the same as the 2wd calipers?
Posted via Mobile Device

[Captainfab]

Yes those are also D52 calipers.

[LostMy65]

Thanks
That is good to know.
That'll save me some money.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Captainfab]

You can also buy rebuild kits for them, and rebuild them yourself if you want. They are not expensive to buy already rebuilt, but every $$ counts.

Originally Posted by LostMy65

Thanks
That is good to know.
That'll save me some money.
Posted via Mobile Device

[rudy350]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

You can also buy rebuild kits for them, and rebuild them yourself if you want. They are not expensive to buy already rebuilt, but every $$ counts.

hey captain fab you wouldnt know from the top of your head a thread thats shows a rear end swap like the one im going todo on my 65 gmc?? the rear end is coming from the 77'' donor. its going to be my first swap and i wanna know what to look out for u know what measuremnts i ned to look out for but my original mounts were my leaf springs are bolted are rusting out were could i find some were i can buy them??? im going to keep the 5 lug bolt pattern.. thanks

this forum rocks !!!!!1

[Captainfab]

No I do not know of any threads here on swapping the rear ends. If the leaf spring mounts on your original rear end are rusted, that shouldn't matter since you are changing the rear end. Or are you talking about your U-bolt plates? If so, then just use the ones from the '77. The '77 rear end will bolt right up to your leaf springs. Really no measuring required. The only thing you might have to measure is when changing your shock mounts.

Originally Posted by rudy350

hey captain fab you wouldnt know from the top of your head a thread thats shows a rear end swap like the one im going todo on my 65 gmc?? the rear end is coming from the 77'' donor. its going to be my first swap and i wanna know what to look out for u know what measuremnts i ned to look out for but my original mounts were my leaf springs are bolted are rusting out were could i find some were i can buy them??? im going to keep the 5 lug bolt pattern.. thanks

this forum rocks !!!!!1

[rudy350]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

No I do not know of any threads here on swapping the rear ends. If the leaf spring mounts on your original rear end are rusted, that shouldn't matter since you are changing the rear end. Or are you talking about your U-bolt plates? If so, then just use the ones from the '77. The '77 rear end will bolt right up to your leaf springs. Really no measuring required. The only thing you might have to measure is when changing your shock mounts.

Ok sounds simple.. Well heres the pics to,show you what im talking about : ) I dont know were to start looking for them .. Just to be right what bolts up to the leaf spring and then to the mount to the frame (what im looking for) is the shakles correct.
Posted via Mobile Device

[rudy350]

Sorry if u have to tilt to see it lol
Posted via Mobile Device

[Captainfab]

OK, so it's your spring hangers that are rusted, and not the spring perches, like I thought you were talking about. Is it just that one hole, or are they basically completely rusted? If it's just that one hole, that should be able to be welded. If they are completely rusted, you will need to replace them with good used originals. I'm not sure just what all years will interchange. You might try looking in the 60-66 classifieds here on the forum. If you want to post a WTB, you will have to become a suporting member to do that.

[rudy350]

Oh ok thanks captain ..
Posted via Mobile Device

[rudy350]

Theyre completly rusted who might sale them,? Whats a wtb? Sorry,im new
Posted via Mobile Device

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by rudy350

Theyre completly rusted who might sale them,? Whats a wtb? Sorry,im new
Posted via Mobile Device

You sign up here to be a supporting member.
You then get a title under your username that says Premium Member.
Then you are allowed to post in the Market Place section of the forum.
Then you start a WTB Thread.
WTB means Want To Buy.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Captainfab]

If you can't find some originals to replace those, you might consider using the ones from the '77 donor truck. You might have to change both front and rear hangers along with the springs. I can't say for sure, but it is an option for you. You will just have to make some comparisons between the 2 types and see exactly what would have to be done.