The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 65 Front Clip?

Does anyone know what front clip would work best on a 65 1/2 ton? I have access to a chevelle front end if this would fit with the least modifications. I'm having issues with the current set-up.

I don't understand why you would want to go from a truck IFS to a car IFS. You would sure have a lot leet work just to rebuild what you have.

I've owned the truck for about 6 months and it has an issue with respect to turning. I don't know what front end is under it now, but the steering has an issue that when you turn the steering wheel, the tires seem to "scrub" the ground and not turn evenly. It's been lined up but something is off with the geometry. I want to install drop spindles but nobody can figure out what front end it currently has. None of the dimensions match anything. The closest thing we can come up with is an impala but not sure of the year. I was thinking the best thing to do would be to start over by installing a front end from something that I know what it is.

Its an alignment issue, most likely the toe is incorrect. Does the frame look like it's been cut and spliced? That's about the only way a passenger car front could be swapped in, especially from an Impala or Chevelle which has a welded in crossmember. Can you post a pic of what you have? Perhaps we can ID it.

I'm not sure that it's a clip from an Impala. That's what I was told when we checked the measurements. It may be that only the A arms came from an Impala. I had the alignment checked twice at 2 different shops and they both said it lined up ok. It appears to me that one wheel is turning more than the other. It looks like the toe is correct though. Any other suggestions? I'm open to anything that could help me over this hump.

Thanks,
Lee

Pitman arm might be 90 degrees off. You might try getting the steering box centered with the pitman arm off, then reinstall it. I have run into that on lifted trucks.

Maybe the wheels are not correct. Can you post some photo's somewhere. Maybe the steering is not centered in the gear box. Those trucks had a good suspension & steering under them. The only way to improve it somewhat would be from a later model pickup.

The truck has had power steering added to it at some point. This also is a mistery. I'm not sure what it came off of. I think it was off a 69-72 model from best guess. It basically seems like a mixed bag of parts of various vehicles. The truck tracks good down the road. The steering is the primary trouble and the issue of adding the drop spindles. I'll try checking the pitman arm rotation and centering the gear box. If changing the whole affair with a 69-72 model (providing it all fits) might be the best fix. At least then I would know what I've got!

Thanks,
Lee

Any ideas what year pickups would be a good fit for a parts swap?

Pretty much any from '63-'87, with up to '72 being a direct bolt in. The '73-'87 will work, but does requre drilling 4 holes.

I have a 60 C10 and converted it to power steering and have the same or a similar problem. My wheels turn more to the right than the left, and the gear box is centered. My front suspension is original and I do have drop spindles on the truck. Look for the thread in the Hi-Po Shop forum on Toyota power steering, it's on page 2, that may help you.
Joe

Would 72 be a direct bolt in for the entire front end or just the steering box?