The Jalopy Journal

WATKINS BOYZ · 10-13-2012, 09:22 PM

...... anyone have any info on changing 1ton truck suspenion over to a 1/2 ton for a 2 wheel drive? 63 panel truck iam sure its the same chassic as the flat beds i know i CAN change rearends but will 1/2 ton spindels swap to the 1 ton A frames if so do i need to switch the c30 ball joints to the c10 style? what i want is to end up with a 5 lug rear and front end any idea with out clipping it?

WATKINS BOYZ · 10-13-2012, 10:43 PM

anyone?

old crewcab · 10-14-2012, 01:53 AM

you can use the whole front crossmember from a 73-87 chevy half ton (just have to elongate two of the holes on the frame just a little. bonus is later model disc brakes and replacment parts (ball joints, bushings,etc.)

WATKINS BOYZ · 10-14-2012, 04:49 PM

what about a half ton rear will it swapp?

F&J · 10-14-2012, 05:11 PM

Your 63 panel should be the same as 3/4t pickup as far as how stuff fits.

I believe you will find that your tie rod taper size will not match the 71-72 C10 disc 5 lug spindles...but, yours should match perfect to the 73-87? style c10 disc 5 lug spindles.

What I would do is measure a 73-up to see the height between the A-arms where your spindle is now, and compare. Also take a look to see if the upper and lower ball joint studs will be long enough for the later spindles. If not, swap them out, or swap A arms.

chevymike · 10-14-2012, 05:17 PM

You can leave the crossmember in place, just swap the upper and lower A arms to half ton ones and use all the steering, spindles, etc. from the 1/2 ton. The ball joint openings are larger on the 3/4 ton arms (lower) so 1/2 ton ball joints won't fit them.

As for the rear end, if you have trailing arm setup, you can use a 1/2 version from '63-'72. '71-'72 are 5 lug but are 1.5" wider so it could effect wheel selection. You can use the earlier version and get 5 lug conversion axles if you don't want 6 lug.

I would highly recommend the following web site for TONS of info on these trucks. http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/index.php It's just not '67-'72 trucks but all Chevy/GMC trucks and especially '60-'72 since the frames are very similar.

WATKINS BOYZ · 10-14-2012, 05:57 PM

thanks mike i been posting there to but no reply ..... butyou saying that the frame rails are the same on a 1 ton and a half tom i cant just swap stuff?

10-13-2012, 09:22 PM	#1
WATKINS BOYZ Grenade Inspector Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: KALKASKA MICHIGAN Posts: 142	63 panel truck suspension help ...... anyone have any info on changing 1ton truck suspenion over to a 1/2 ton for a 2 wheel drive? 63 panel truck iam sure its the same chassic as the flat beds i know i CAN change rearends but will 1/2 ton spindels swap to the 1 ton A frames if so do i need to switch the c30 ball joints to the c10 style? what i want is to end up with a 5 lug rear and front end any idea with out clipping it? __________________ http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...onstr_logo.jpg

10-13-2012, 10:43 PM	#2
WATKINS BOYZ Grenade Inspector Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: KALKASKA MICHIGAN Posts: 142	Re: 63 panel truck suspension help anyone? __________________ http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...onstr_logo.jpg

10-14-2012, 01:53 AM	#3
old crewcab FNG Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: missouri Posts: 1	Re: 63 panel truck suspension help you can use the whole front crossmember from a 73-87 chevy half ton (just have to elongate two of the holes on the frame just a little. bonus is later model disc brakes and replacment parts (ball joints, bushings,etc.)

10-14-2012, 04:49 PM	#4
WATKINS BOYZ Grenade Inspector Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: KALKASKA MICHIGAN Posts: 142	Re: 63 panel truck suspension help what about a half ton rear will it swapp? __________________ http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...onstr_logo.jpg

10-14-2012, 05:11 PM	#5
F&J Old School HAMBer Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: CT Posts: 8,047	Re: 63 panel truck suspension help Your 63 panel should be the same as 3/4t pickup as far as how stuff fits. I believe you will find that your tie rod taper size will not match the 71-72 C10 disc 5 lug spindles...but, yours should match perfect to the 73-87? style c10 disc 5 lug spindles. What I would do is measure a 73-up to see the height between the A-arms where your spindle is now, and compare. Also take a look to see if the upper and lower ball joint studs will be long enough for the later spindles. If not, swap them out, or swap A arms.

10-14-2012, 05:17 PM	#6
chevymike Grenade Inspector Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 232	Re: 63 panel truck suspension help You can leave the crossmember in place, just swap the upper and lower A arms to half ton ones and use all the steering, spindles, etc. from the 1/2 ton. The ball joint openings are larger on the 3/4 ton arms (lower) so 1/2 ton ball joints won't fit them. As for the rear end, if you have trailing arm setup, you can use a 1/2 version from '63-'72. '71-'72 are 5 lug but are 1.5" wider so it could effect wheel selection. You can use the earlier version and get 5 lug conversion axles if you don't want 6 lug. I would highly recommend the following web site for TONS of info on these trucks. http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/index.php It's just not '67-'72 trucks but all Chevy/GMC trucks and especially '60-'72 since the frames are very similar. __________________ Hot Rod Haulers 1965 Chevy C10 Panel 1964 Chevy II Wagon 1968 Chevy C10

10-14-2012, 05:57 PM	#7
WATKINS BOYZ Grenade Inspector Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: KALKASKA MICHIGAN Posts: 142	Re: 63 panel truck suspension help thanks mike i been posting there to but no reply ..... butyou saying that the frame rails are the same on a 1 ton and a half tom i cant just swap stuff? __________________ http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s...onstr_logo.jpg

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