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Last edited by bad61; 07/25/2017 2:25 AM.
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Crusing in the Passing Lane
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Since you have 5/10 bolt pattern, look on modern trucks with that pattern, 94/95 GMC P3500 for one.

Ed


'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
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It's a torsion bar front end, I doubt anyone makes a disc brake set up for this suspension. It may be worth a try to try and adapt 94/95 GMC P3500 front discs on my spindles, hopefully.

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As Ed suggest.
Check out those axles discussed in this tech tip.
https://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/bigbolts/p30swap/

Your tape measure will guide you, but I'm thinking might be able to swap a newer front axle as is, no narrowing?
Rear axle is an easy swap if desired.

If swapping entire front axle is not measuring up then, or may be easier to start with, to swap just spindles, hubs, and brakes. That is discussed here:
https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthread...4-1-1-5-and-2-ton-trucks.html#Post725027

Looks like it has 19.5" tires already, which is a nice upgrade from the tube type 18" or 20" it may have had original. Only thing better might be 22.5" but they're hard to find.

Grigg

(Edit)
Missed the torsion bar bit while typing up my reply.
May still be able to swap newer spindles or possibly entire axle and suspension

Last edited by Grigg; 07/25/2017 2:23 PM.

•1951 GMC 250 in the Project Journals
•1948 Chevrolet 6400 - Detroit Diesel 4-53T - Roadranger 10 speed overdrive - 4 wheel disc brakes
•1952 Chevrolet 3800 pickup
---All pictures---
"First, get a clear notion of what you desire to accomplish, and then in all probability you will succeed in doing it..." -Henry Maudslay-
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Crusing in the Passing Lane
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When you find a donor truck, make sure to get the donor hydroboost unit while at it, might also get powersteering unit if it can be used as well as power steering/hydroboost pump.

Ed



'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
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My front suspension is a torsion bar with a- arms, I don't think I want to swap to a solid axle. Maybe I should research what spindle bearing an 85 chevy c30 has, then compare part numbers with mine.

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I wonder if I may have to take out the complete front suspension on an 79-85 c-30 and weld it in place to replace what I have now. I know thats what guys are doing on the 60's c-10's.


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I think the idea was to find disc brake hubs, etc., for the front and swap them out, C-30's will probably be smaller, so, get your dimensions, then go searching. P3500's(baby school bus, etc.) came with solid and IFS front axles, so, an IFS front might be an option.

Ed


'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires.
'47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle.
'54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed.
'55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
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Can you share some pictures of your spindles and or look up what king pins it uses, assuming it has king pins?

Problem with just trying to swap hubs is you still have a spindle that takes a drum brake backing plate.
Advantage of swapping spindles and everything outside of them is the spindles from a disc brake truck already fit the right disc brake caliper brackets.
Modifying a couple king pin bushings (if not a direct swap) is less work and a cleaner solution, possibly safer, than designing and fabricating a caliper bracket.

Ed is trying to steer you toward axle or spindle donors that also have 5/10 lug on 7.25" bolt circle, same as you already have, and these are one step up from 8 lug 1 ton stuff.
I agree, for a working truck don't downgrade.
The disc brakes for the 5/10 lug axles also have larger diameter rotors than the 8 lug versions, which is a good thing.

Last edited by Grigg; 07/26/2017 1:50 PM.

•1951 GMC 250 in the Project Journals
•1948 Chevrolet 6400 - Detroit Diesel 4-53T - Roadranger 10 speed overdrive - 4 wheel disc brakes
•1952 Chevrolet 3800 pickup
---All pictures---
"First, get a clear notion of what you desire to accomplish, and then in all probability you will succeed in doing it..." -Henry Maudslay-
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Posts: 14
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I would love to post pictures but I don't know how to do it on this forum.

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Are newer trucks the same wheel bolt pattern?

My truck isn't a king pin style axle, it's independent.

Here is a picture at the bottom of the page, it looks like a 10 bolt with only 5 lug nuts.
.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?p=8002760#post8002760

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I don't have any experience with them but GM did make newer disc brake coil sprung independent fronts with the 5/10 lug pattern on 7.25". Might be worth looking at one of those and your truck side by side and see if anything can be swapped from the newer one with disc.


•1951 GMC 250 in the Project Journals
•1948 Chevrolet 6400 - Detroit Diesel 4-53T - Roadranger 10 speed overdrive - 4 wheel disc brakes
•1952 Chevrolet 3800 pickup
---All pictures---
"First, get a clear notion of what you desire to accomplish, and then in all probability you will succeed in doing it..." -Henry Maudslay-
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 14
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I bought a donor 1984 chevy dually truck and I'll be installing the 8 lug front suspension along with the 454 bbc and TH400 trans in my 62 chevy c40 ramp truck.

I want to run larger wheels so I guess my only option is 19.5, correct?

How would a person find 6 affordable wheels? I'm assuming that the P30 stepvan Frito lay truck wheels would work.

My truck already has a later 14 bolt rear end with 16" wheels.

Last edited by bad61; 11/27/2017 5:34 AM. Reason: because

Moderated by  69Cuda, Super55 

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