The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Best donors for upgrades for a '64?

I've got a month off to work on this project , and I've burned up a week trying to figure out how to avoid making another mistake! LOL Sure is a ton of knowledge here, but I can't seem to find what I'm looking for for my year truck.

Can anyone give me a suggestion as to the best sources for the following?

A power steering set-up? I found great stuff on how to convert it, but not much on what parts to find to do it the cleanest and easiest...

A tilt column, preferably w/o shifter handle?

6-lug front disc set-up? I want to keep my wheels, but power brakes would be really nice. I found an '87 and an '88 GMC with 6-lug front discs - will they work?

Thanks for your help, guys, and thanks for the welcome!

Bill

For the Tilt column, you should be able to find a 4-speed truck with that option. The 74-87 trucks have lots of parts that can be used. However best thing is to go the the search button and type in power steering, tilt column, etc. It will only take you about an hour to scan thru the posts

Scott

Cool. Thanks again, Scott.

OK, folks. I took Scott's advice and I've read posts and searched the site until I'm blue in the face, and maybe I can't see what's right in front of me. I didn't realize there are so many pre-Vietnam trucks left in the world! LOL Anyhow, I simply cannot find the answer I'm looking for.

Does anyone know if the spindles off an '87 GMC 2500 2WD 6-lug front end will work on my '64? I'm trying to put on discs and keep my wheels, and this is the only donor truck I can find. I hate to buy them and then find out I've added to my collection instead of to my truck! LOL

'87 3/4-ton with 6-lug hubs? I thought the models that did that started in '88.

I don't know the answer to your question, but I'd start by looking up replacement parts for things like ball joints. If they use the same its likely the spindles will interchange. Or you could look up dropped spindles for both trucks, and if they are the same then these parts should interchange.

I do know that 71-72 spindles will fit a 67 and most likely a 64. I believe both used the same front end. Anything after that would be questionable but you may be able to swap the whole crossmembe. I did six bolt disks on my 67 by using parts from a 71-72. You really need more then just the spindles to do the job correctly. I kept the pattern six bolt by getting aftermarket hub/rotors that were drilled for six. They are available but pricey.

Stock wheels may or may not clear the rotors. Mine didn't. I'm using stock six lug wheels from four wheel drive trucks with disks from the 70's and possibly 80's.

It would be easier to swap the whole front-end from an early 70's 1/2 ton under the truck than trying to mix and match balljoints and such to do just the spindles. That way, when you need front-end parts, you know for what application you need them for,
Scott