The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Disc Brakes for a 65 C-10?

I have a 65 C-10 that I want to put disc brakes on. Does anyone know of an easy swap that I can do? You know, like the spindles and everything else off of maybe a 72 Nova or an 82 Cutlass, or some other odd vehicle?

If you want easy, buy a kit. If you go the scrounging wrecking yard route you'll be designing and fabricating brackets.

How about the entire IFS crossmember from a '71 to '87 disk brake truck?

My brother swapped a-arms and spindles from a '71 or later to a '64 some time ago. It sounded to me like swapping the entire crossmember might be less work.

Yup. Oldsub's got it.

Remove the front sheetmetal, wheels, inner fenders, engine, bumper, radiator and trans. Disconnect the steering shaft and remove the entire from crossmember. Bring in your late model truck crossmember, bolt in and re-assemble everything.

You're done!

-ftyler

Hey RDG,
Like suggested, go with a swap from an early 80's 1/2ton. I have an 82 3/4ton that will donate all it's parts to my 66 3/4ton. This way I keep 8 lugs. If you use the whole crossmember, you can use the sway bar from the donor. No offense to ftyler, but you don't need to remove engine or body. Here is what I suggest:

1. Unbolt engine from motor mounts, raise a little, & support. I use a 4x4 with a chain.

2. Jack up truck and put on stands.

3. Unbolt steering draglink and brake lines.

4. Unbolt upper A-arms from frame. Springs-will they need to be compressed?

5. Support crossmember on jack and unbolt.(3 bolts each side)

6. Slide out & reverse process.

Don't forget the booster & master cylinder with brakelines. Check condition of ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, and all brake components.

Good luck.

Rdg, I did the swap from a '75 1/2ton to my '64. Anything from '73 - '87 will work. Change the entire crossmember; the whole thing bolts right in. If you only use the spindles, you will have to take out your camber adjustment shims, and you'll still be short. This is due to the lower control arms being mounted farther outboard than your original crossmember.

You will need to drill holes for the newer model idler arm; it is angled backwards; your original points forward.

I wouldn't use anything newer than an '85 (or is it '83?); '85 - '87 use all metric nuts and bolts.

Check out my website if you need some pics; I documented the swap.

If you don't want that much work, the spindles from 71-87 will fit your control arms if you install 71-87 upper & lower ball joints & tie rods. CPP & others sell an adapter sleeve to mate the tie rods(diff thread size), or you can use a 71-up drag link,Idler arm, etc.. Brian

i put a 1980 crossmember under my 1964 c10.later i decided i wanted it lower so i had to buy drop spindles.you can buy aftermarket disc brake spindles that will bolt up to your truck and use stock 1980 c10s parts for 220.00 dollars.im saying that if your lowering it,drop spindles for your year are your best buy.

I have a 61 1/2 ton and i want to put Disc brakes on it. will the suggestions you guys made work on the 61 or not. I have the torsion bar front suspension and the 63-66 had the coils so will it work or not? thanks for any feedback

I don't know of anyone who has tried this, and am not familiar with the details of the torsion bar suspension.

That said, I don't think its going to work, but it might be worth a look.