The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk '62 C-10

Hi, I'm Looking at a '62 c-10 pickup, And I've been researching parts suppliers for availablity. And it seems that pre-63 parts are rare. Is this so or are the supensions different on 1960-1962 compared to 1963-1966?

The suspensions, frames, and some body components are very different from the '63-'66. The frame and suspension use a completely different design, with the '60-'62 using a tortion bar suspension and a X braced frame. Front suspension components are somewhat difficult and expensive to get. There's also little or no aftermarket support for upgrades, like disk brakes. As to the bodu, it's mainly sheetmetal diffences. The '60-'61 use a different hood, and the cab is '60-'63.

Thanks for the information. I'm new to the truck rehab arena, wanted a mid 50's truck but most I've seen are really rough. Now I'm leaning toward the 1960's C-10's. May be an easier build for me being this is my 1st.

I have a 62 c-10 that I've started and have found that there are aftermarket disc brake upgrades you can do. I have found a number of places at which I can buy either the stock or a 2.5" drop spindles for the front and they use a 1-1/4" thick Chevy H.D. rotors & calipers from 71-87. The spindles will mount to the original ball joints as well. They range from $228 to about $299 a pair. With as strong of a motor as the 235 was, I'm keeping it and upgrading the suspension and will drop my 235 back in after it's rebuilt. I'm putting in the 2.5" drop in the front and 3" drop coils in the back.

Mike

Sounds like the same thing I'm thinking of doing to this truck if I purchase it.

Olebessie62 is pretty much correct. I have a '62 and have found that parts are available, you just have to look a little harder. Some things like grills and new torsion bars are not available, but there are sources for used parts (I'll bet they are, I just have'nt found them . Since parts are tougher to get, people will shy away from that model. What you wind up with is a truck that not many others have, causing yours to be a standout amongst the rest. If you plan to do some trans swapping, the X frame is a serious issue and impediment. But the X frame makes this truck super tough and strong.

Yeah, Tim K hit the nail with the grille and torsion bars. My grille is pretty much wasted by I've got alot of time before I'll need it. So I just keep an eye out at the swap meets and here as well. I do agree the 62 once finished would be a standout as well. I'm keeping the truck as close to original as possible but want it improved for safety. Power steering, brakes, updated electrical, seat belts. A little bit of a drop but not overboard. Something I can still drive to work and not have to park in the back 40 because I'm afraid someone may park near me. Good luck with whichever truck you chose. I enjoy it from the point that I can come home from a bad day at work and spend just a hour tinkering and have released and forgotten all that stress from before.

I've got a '62 Suburban I drive daily.
Front suspension parts are expensive. Like $125 each for upper ball joints, etc. If you've got a manual trans, a dual reservoir power brake convertion kit is also a good bit more expensive becuase of the hyrdaulic clutch slave.

Most upgrade parts are available, you just have to dig a little more, both in the catalogs and your pockets.

That being said, I LOVE the ride of the torsion bar front end, and I absolutely dig the truck. The best of all worlds might be a '63: cheaper to build and upgrade the front suspension, but it still has the wrap around windshield I wouldn't trade for anything.
I swapped a 4-headlight '60 grille into mine too...didn't care for the stock '62 (Looks like they just jammed the big single headlight into the dual headlight bucket!). I also converted to dual power brakes, will be adding self-adjusters to the drums, am in the middle of a 4spd OD manual trans swap, and added a 3/4-ton 4 row radiator (a direct bolt-in...though the factory shroud is now an inch too narrow, so there's another project).
Be prepared to shell out a bit more for the suspension rebuild and the dual reservoir conversion, but that's the only issue. knowing all this, I'd buy a '60-'62 again. Plus, for lowering, you can buy a set of Eaton coils for the rear, and just crank the torsion bars down up front. I lowered mine a little that way. Once I get the front end rebuilt, I'll see if I need dropped coils or not, but for now it looks fine and was free up front, and the rear coils are cheap.
-Brad

Thanks for all the information. After researching for some suspension parts this is what I thought also. But the truck is in farily good shape.And the asking price is more than I wanted to spend for a project. So I'm still looking don't want to rush into anything. Thanks again