The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Installing Front & Rear Suspension on '68 from '76 donor truck.

I have a '68 GMC C10. It has 6 lug drum brakes all around, with 2" wide leaf springs in the rear. The rear axle assy came from another GM vehicle with a weird brake drum. The rim of the drum is cast iron, but the center is pressed steel, and the parts are joined with a kind of slotted rivet arrangement.

The rivets are breaking on the drum, and I have been unable to find another due to a deeper offset than standard 1/2 ton drums and a larger pilot hole so standard drums won't fit. (I've checked 4wd, vans, all 6 lug drums I could find, none fit).

The 3rd member is also badly worn, so I want to replace the whole unit. I also would like to put disc brakes on the front while I'm at it. I picked up a '76 "Heavy Half" with good suspension. The rear spring width on the '76 is 2 1/4" so I'll have to remount the spring mounts... My basic question:

Does anyone know if the front suspension from the '76 will mount to the '68???? I don't mind doing some fabrication, etc. I just don't want a major redesign to get it to work.

Thanks in advance,

Utah Smitty

it will bolt right in.you will have to drill new holes for the new idler arm.just make a template from the 76 frame for location.i put a 1980 c10 front suspension under my 64 c10.

Or you could also just swap the spindles after changing the balljoints to the later style.
can you post a picture of the differential/drum setup that you currently have? I've never seen a GM with riveted drums, most of the ones I've seen that have the pressed steel center are cast in, not riveted.