The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks Need advice - C20 to C10 conversion

Been searching for 8 lug wheels for a while and have realized they are not easy to find in the 16x6-1/2 style. I have been told by a friend that I should consider converting to disc brakes up front and getting 5 or 6 lug wheels. In addition, I am probably going to change out the rear end so I have a taller gear. The truck as it sits is a 1963 C20, 292, 4speed on the floor, posi rear end, probably geared really low.

So, if I convert the rear end to a higher gear, will it be 5 or 6 lug? What is the best high gear rear end to look for? I would like to match the front disc brakes to match the rear end, as far as 5 or 6 lug.

Hoping all this makes sense. And, I would probably want to drop the truck about 2-3 inches, just to get a cooler look.

Any input on this would be greatly appreciated. I hate to throw money into 8-lug wheels if I'm better off converting to disc brakes and going 5 or 6 lug. Hopefully, it will be easier to get 5 or 6 lug wheels.

Thanks for listening and I hope you guys and gals can chime.

Your 63 C-20 is a heavy duty truck with a heavy duty frame, front suspension, engine, transmission, and a 4.57:1 HD rear end. You just don't change all this stuff without serious work and associated cost. Even if you can find a donor C-10 to provide the parts most of them will need to be rebuilt anyway. After all the replacements are 50+ years old also. Find a 4.10 rear end, there are numerous posts about this issue. I believe there are 8 lug disc brake conversions available now. Check with ABS in Orange. There are aftermarket suppliers that can provide 8 lug wheels. Wheelsmith is in Corona. I'm sure there are others locally.
Otherwise sell it and find a C-10 you love and spend the cash on it.
Fred

Ditto to rfs56trk. Depends what are going todo with your truck? A ¾ ton truck might be to much in some cases. But id rather have bigger brakes, suspension etc. A half ton truck might be plenty for ya tho. Sell the 20 and buy the 10 if it soots ya better. Good luck. But remember, its your truck, do what you see fit.

I switched my c20 over to half ton stuff,found donor rear out out of 63 c10,and then did c20 to c10 conversion spindles with disc brakes up front...as far as wheels for 8 lug you could always find ford van wheels from junk yard or gm steel wheels

I hear what you guys are sayin, maybe I should keep it stock and just find 8 lug wheels.

I see GM and Ford 8 lug wheels on classified adds every day, unless they have changed the pattern you should have a big variety to choose from.

I've been driving a 62 c30 for about 5 years at an average of 5,000 miles a year at all kinds of speeds and never had a problem with the original drum brakes loaded on mountain roads and on wet roads always stops straight and true . I check the adjustment at the beginning of every season and then motor on .
Lots of steel wheels to be had for your truck just check for offset , there are some differences .

John

I have a 65 C10 that I converted to disc brakes, 5 lug wheels, and installed a 3.08 rear end out of a 97 suburban. Couple of things to consider....

The disc brake conversion will most likely give you a wider stance by an inch or two as it pushes the wheels out. You'd have to find a rear end that would match this spacing unless you want the truck to look funny going down the road.

Also, consider a disc brake conversion may or may not match the wheel lug spacing. I bought my disc conversion and my rear axle before I realized the discs were 5x4-1/2 and the rear axle was 5x5.

You're trying to make changes you think will make your life easier but it could also be a huge pain in the rear in the long run

8 lug steel wheels for trailers are available by the thousands in several styles of centers, including the wide spoke "wagon wheels" that some people like. Those wheels are designed to carry heavier loads than most pickups will ever see, even though the Department of Transportation classifies them as "trailer only" for some silly reason.
Jerry

I owned a 66 C-20 for 17 years and drove to work everyday. Also used it with a camper and went everywhere. The first thing I did was replace the 3 speed with a 3 speed overdrive. I later replaced the 292 with a 327 and installed power steering and a brake booster with a dual MC. There are many more options available today but it was more than adequate for the time.
Fred

As said, 8 lug wheels are available. I own and drive daily a '65 C20. I converted it over to front disc. It wasn't a difficult job, just don't buy the kit from CPP. You'd be better off finding a donor 73-87 C20 and using the parts off of it. One option, but nowadays is like finding a unicorn, is swapping in a rear end from a 2WD suburban that came with the 396/TH400/Dana 60. Those have 3.54 gears. Great ratio for highway cruising, but if hauling heavy loads or climbing steep grades the engine bogs down. A gear splitter overdrive would give you a 3rd/OD of about 4.42 final drive ratio. But the gear splitter is an added expense. I have seen some that buy a newer axle with the ratio they want, 3.73, 4.10, etc, and cut off the leaf spring perches, buy the rear control arm perches and weld them on. If you go that route you'll need an adjustable track/panhard bar, but you have plenty of options to keep that C20 in 3/4 ton form.