Another conversion question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

67Blacksheep · 03-23-2002, 11:28 AM

Is it possible to just change the hubs on the front when converting to the new 1/2 ton parts? If the a-arms are the same (except for the hole size ) Can't just the hubs and brake assemblies be swapped? Opinions and suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks Fellas.

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Brad69 · 03-23-2002, 12:18 PM

I'll assume by "hubs" you really mean the whole spindle on outwards...

There is one place (I can't remember where) that sells a spindle kit that uses your existing A-arms & stuff. but my feeling is that since GM engineers beefed up the U-Bolts on the lower arms, and all of the ball joints got bigger when they went to disks that I should do the same when doing a conversion. I am pretty sure the GM engineers are smarter than me.

[This message has been edited by Brad69 (edited March 23, 2002).]

67Blacksheep · 03-23-2002, 09:11 PM

Brad-
I don't mean while converting from drum to disc, I meant exchanging 1/2 ton 6 lugs in place of my existing 3/4 ton 8 lug. The front end from my "donor" vehicle is no where near as good of shape as my current a-arms etc. Any thoughts??
I am converting due to the Eaton rear end gearing on my C20. The donor C10 had a good rear, but not so solid in the front.

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69 longhorn · 03-23-2002, 09:23 PM

You need to change lower a arms,balljoints,spindles& tie rod outers to go to 1/2 ton. the hole in the lower a arm (for the ball joint) is larger on the 3/4 ton. If converting to disc ,you can retain the 6 lug (after market rotors),GMC Paul should have them. Also you may need to change the cener link & tie rod asseys to 71 up, if using the later disc spindles. Use the 71-72 lower arms for the disc conversion..........69 longhorn.

*Fast68Chevy* · 03-23-2002, 09:34 PM

happy swapping!

and you thought you could simply swap on 1.2 ton rotors onto a 3/.4 ton spindle ? lol

then how were you planning on mounting calipers on it ? lol
i owuld probably just leave it 8 up front, seriously, same things swapping a 3/4 ton axle under a 1/2 ton, who cares if they match, hibcaps can cover that all up

have fun !

------------------
-71/C-10(thx teeitup and crews!)350 4+4/CH465(thx 71Chev, GMCPaul, and CPNE)longfleet bed(thnx meathead95)!still building it-
-'84 Z28(Z28) 1G1AP87GXEL100000 with H.O. 305/4bbl/190net/hp(L69) 3.73 rear(GT4/YC4) 700R4(MD8-MXO) & other goodies

-79 G20 pass van, 350/th350/10bolt,
paint is overrated
Randy- Lincoln, IL

r68c30@hotmail.com
© RSS Enterprises 2000

67Blacksheep · 03-23-2002, 09:37 PM

Thanks for the info Long horn. All that being said, I might continue with my original plan to switch entire front ends. I won't know for sure how bad the A-arms are on the 1/2 until i get to cleaning them. I plan to do the rear first anyway, I'll just have 2 lug patterns for a while. I drove mine up to the feed store today and was quickly reminded of the huge gear I presently have. Taps a 350 pretty quick!

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Brad69 · 03-23-2002, 11:24 PM

Sorry about missing the fact that you are just doing an 8lug to 6lug conversion. 99% of the time when people ask about going from 3/4 Ton to 1/2 Ton is is to get the disk brakes or lowered spindles that are then possible. I know what you mean about the gears, my 350 runs completely out of breath at 70 MPH, but the first 60 feet from a green light sure are fun!

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The more hair i lose, the more head i get.

Build Sheet:
1969 C-10 short fleet
Constructed by taking a 3/4 ton rolling frame from one truck, adding a rust free AC Cab from another, then a bed from another, 1/2 ton front suspension & brakes from another,add in one Goodwrench crate 350, painted DuPont Arctic White,and driven daily.

67Blacksheep · 03-24-2002, 10:10 AM

Brad-
After talking to Longhorn and Fast68, I may just leave the front well enough alone! Funny how close in appearance they are...but close only counts in Horseshoes and Hand Grenades! I would love to do the disc conversion, but for right now I was just rying to keep only one spare with me! I think it was Longhorn that said the bottowm a-arms are different anyway....so popping the outter units on the 3/4 a-arms is out of the question. Fast must have thought I was asking to straight up stick rotors on my drum spindles!lol. Thankfully I'm not lost that far yet! Anyhow...thanks for the advice.

------------------
67 Chevy C20 LB Stepside,
350 4-bolt with goodies.

03-23-2002, 11:28 AM	#1
67Blacksheep Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 135	Another conversion question Is it possible to just change the hubs on the front when converting to the new 1/2 ton parts? If the a-arms are the same (except for the hole size ) Can't just the hubs and brake assemblies be swapped? Opinions and suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thanks Fellas. ------------------ __________________ '94 GMC Seirra Ext. Cab '67 Formula Firebird '89 GSX-R 750

03-23-2002, 12:18 PM	#2
Brad69 Crash Test Dummy Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Wilton, Ca. USA Posts: 201	I'll assume by "hubs" you really mean the whole spindle on outwards... There is one place (I can't remember where) that sells a spindle kit that uses your existing A-arms & stuff. but my feeling is that since GM engineers beefed up the U-Bolts on the lower arms, and all of the ball joints got bigger when they went to disks that I should do the same when doing a conversion. I am pretty sure the GM engineers are smarter than me. [This message has been edited by Brad69 (edited March 23, 2002).] __________________ The more hair i lose, the more head i get. Build Sheet: 1969 C-10 short fleet Constructed by taking a 3/4 ton rolling frame from one truck, adding a rust free AC Cab from another, then a bed from another, 1/2 ton front suspension & brakes from another,add in one Goodwrench crate 350, painted DuPont Arctic White,and driven daily.

03-23-2002, 09:11 PM	#3
67Blacksheep Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 135	Brad- I don't mean while converting from drum to disc, I meant exchanging 1/2 ton 6 lugs in place of my existing 3/4 ton 8 lug. The front end from my "donor" vehicle is no where near as good of shape as my current a-arms etc. Any thoughts?? I am converting due to the Eaton rear end gearing on my C20. The donor C10 had a good rear, but not so solid in the front. ------------------ __________________ '94 GMC Seirra Ext. Cab '67 Formula Firebird '89 GSX-R 750

03-23-2002, 09:23 PM	#4
69 longhorn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: rock island,il,usa Posts: 5,382	You need to change lower a arms,balljoints,spindles& tie rod outers to go to 1/2 ton. the hole in the lower a arm (for the ball joint) is larger on the 3/4 ton. If converting to disc ,you can retain the 6 lug (after market rotors),GMC Paul should have them. Also you may need to change the cener link & tie rod asseys to 71 up, if using the later disc spindles. Use the 71-72 lower arms for the disc conversion..........69 longhorn. __________________ http://community.webshots.com/user/hotrodhorn

03-23-2002, 09:37 PM	#6
67Blacksheep Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 135	Thanks for the info Long horn. All that being said, I might continue with my original plan to switch entire front ends. I won't know for sure how bad the A-arms are on the 1/2 until i get to cleaning them. I plan to do the rear first anyway, I'll just have 2 lug patterns for a while. I drove mine up to the feed store today and was quickly reminded of the huge gear I presently have. Taps a 350 pretty quick! ------------------ __________________ '94 GMC Seirra Ext. Cab '67 Formula Firebird '89 GSX-R 750

03-23-2002, 09:34 PM	#5
Fast68Chevy Account Suspended Join Date: May 2000 Location: IL Posts: 0	happy swapping! and you thought you could simply swap on 1.2 ton rotors onto a 3/.4 ton spindle ? lol then how were you planning on mounting calipers on it ? lol i owuld probably just leave it 8 up front, seriously, same things swapping a 3/4 ton axle under a 1/2 ton, who cares if they match, hibcaps can cover that all up have fun ! ------------------ -71/C-10(thx teeitup and crews!)350 4+4/CH465(thx 71Chev, GMCPaul, and CPNE)longfleet bed(thnx meathead95)!still building it- -'84 Z28(Z28) 1G1AP87GXEL100000 with H.O. 305/4bbl/190net/hp(L69) 3.73 rear(GT4/YC4) 700R4(MD8-MXO) & other goodies -79 G20 pass van, 350/th350/10bolt, paint is overrated Randy- Lincoln, IL r68c30@hotmail.com © RSS Enterprises 2000

03-23-2002, 11:24 PM	#7
Brad69 Crash Test Dummy Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Wilton, Ca. USA Posts: 201	Sorry about missing the fact that you are just doing an 8lug to 6lug conversion. 99% of the time when people ask about going from 3/4 Ton to 1/2 Ton is is to get the disk brakes or lowered spindles that are then possible. I know what you mean about the gears, my 350 runs completely out of breath at 70 MPH, but the first 60 feet from a green light sure are fun! ------------------ The more hair i lose, the more head i get. Build Sheet: 1969 C-10 short fleet Constructed by taking a 3/4 ton rolling frame from one truck, adding a rust free AC Cab from another, then a bed from another, 1/2 ton front suspension & brakes from another,add in one Goodwrench crate 350, painted DuPont Arctic White,and driven daily. __________________ The more hair i lose, the more head i get. Build Sheet: 1969 C-10 short fleet Constructed by taking a 3/4 ton rolling frame from one truck, adding a rust free AC Cab from another, then a bed from another, 1/2 ton front suspension & brakes from another,add in one Goodwrench crate 350, painted DuPont Arctic White,and driven daily.

03-24-2002, 10:10 AM	#8
67Blacksheep Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 135	Brad- After talking to Longhorn and Fast68, I may just leave the front well enough alone! Funny how close in appearance they are...but close only counts in Horseshoes and Hand Grenades! I would love to do the disc conversion, but for right now I was just rying to keep only one spare with me! I think it was Longhorn that said the bottowm a-arms are different anyway....so popping the outter units on the 3/4 a-arms is out of the question. Fast must have thought I was asking to straight up stick rotors on my drum spindles!lol. Thankfully I'm not lost that far yet! Anyhow...thanks for the advice. ------------------ 67 Chevy C20 LB Stepside, 350 4-bolt with goodies. __________________ '94 GMC Seirra Ext. Cab '67 Formula Firebird '89 GSX-R 750



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