junkyard find

[shoundog1]

Calling around to several junk yards today to find power stearing for my 66 c10 and found a 79 that had everthing I needed so I got it today. Great shape just needs some clean up already have the conversion kit from Chevy Duty. So my question is. While I was helping the guy remove the parts I noticed that the disk brakes on this truck were in very good condition to. Will they fit? What will I need from the truck? I figure spindles, disk, calapers and will buy new ball joints. Will I also need the upper and lower a arms. Should i just get it all? The main question is Will They Work? I was suprised this truck was in the yard it looked to good to be there. I ask the guy and he said someone drove it in smoking like crazey and just left it with the title.
Doug:9

 

[dvalentine]

"I noticed that the disk brakes on this truck were in very good condition to. Will they fit? What will I need from the truck? "

In a word ? Everything.

Take the entire front crossmember, suspension, center link, tie-rod ends, spindles, EVERYTHING.

Unbolt the crossmember, 8 bolts if I remember correctly, and pull it out as a unit. The entire crossmember will bolt up to your frame that will require you to drill a few holes, ( most will line up, but not all), and relocate the idler arm for the center link. ( just buy a new idler arm for the same year as the doner crossmember).

Replace ball joints, control arm bushings and you will be good to go.

DVal

 

[shoundog1]

Thanks for the info. I had read several post on another forum concerning the crossmember swap over. Is that the best way to go? My 66 is a daly driver and a swap over like that means the engine will have to come out or at least unbolted and proped up somehow. Limited time on weekends if you know what I mean. If I wanted to just go from the a arms out will this work? I'll check with the wrecking jard for priceing both ways.

 

[dvalentine]

I would advise that you NOT try to do this on a weekend and expect that it will be ready to go Monday morning. As my granny used to say,,
" Fecal Matter Happens !!".

Budget the time to do it right and make other arrangements for transportation.

The crossmember swap is probably the easist way to go. You can support the motor with a cherry picker while you move the new crossmember and motor mounts in. THAT part should only take a few hours. It's the rest that may give you trouble that will prevent it from getting done in two days.

ALSO, You will need to get the front end aligned no matter which way you consider doing it.

You could rebuild everything on the new crossmember, ball joints, tie rod ends, control arm bushings, etc.., and still drive your truck until you are ready to install it.

DVal