The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop 63 Brake Upgrade

OK, so I think I'm ready to upgrade my '63 to power brakes and 5 lug front discs. Here's what I've accumulated...

Vaccum booster, master cylinder, spindles, rotors and steering linkage from a '79 Chevy 1/2 ton. (I should have taken the whole front X member, but didn't)

New control arm bushings, ball joints, tie rod ends, wheel bearings, calipers, etc from FLAPS.

New Cragar S/S 15" x 8" rims, and Wilwood adjustable proportioning valve from Summit.

Still to order: 3" front drop springs & 4" rear drop springs (probably from CPP)

Questions:
1.) Should I leave the '63 steering linkage in place or change to the '79?
2.)What am I missing?

Thanks,
Texmo

use the 79 steering.you will have to drill holes for the later idler.the booster will bolt to your firewall.you will need to extend the push rod.i used a short piece of all thread and a barrel nut.you will need to drill another hole in your pedal,no big deal,easy to get to and soft metal.you won't like the three inch drop springs,the a arms will be tilted up and the top of the wheel pushed into the fender.

Zenish...Thanks

Hey Texmo-I agree w/Zenish, stick to 2" on the front-3" is just too much using springs. Alignment is tough & ball joints are at funny angles causing them to wear faster. Also, they can pop outta place sometimes when jacking up the truck. You coulduse the 63 linkage by buying some tie rod end adapters fom CPP, but I would use the 79 linkage cause I'm poor/cheap, & I know you got a diagram. brian

Brian
Yep...I got a drawing. I'll stick with the '79 linkage and 2" in the front. Is 4" drop too much in the back?

A buddy went w/4" in the back, no problem except he did add the adjustable track bar. The rear did seem to shift over w/that much drop, centered right up w/the adjustable bar tho. Brian

Did it look goofy with 4" in the back and 2" in the front?

No, actually it sat pretty darn level. These trucks sat pretty high in the back. Brian

Cool! Thanks