C20 Steering & Suspension Rebuild

[LTZ C20]

Welcome boys and girls. This thread will be about the rebuild of my suspension, steering and a hint of brakes as well on my C20 Camper Special. The truck has all of its original parts on for the steering, suspension and brakes. I've gone over examined it all multiple times and it all looks to be original. It has served me very well in the time that I've owned the truck, so it's time to rebuild/replace it and show some love to the truck once more. Thanks to tax season, I can finally get this stage of the restoration under way.

Things to be done include:
-new front suspension
-new front steering
-new front brakes
-new rear suspension
-new rear brakes in the form of a disc brake conversion

Let's just say that with all the new stuff I got for the front, my tax return didn't last long, in fact, it's gone, like a fart in the wind hahaha.

I will attempt to keep a bit of a structure with this thread. Beginning first with the front steering and suspension components being done first together. Then the rear suspension. Then after that the front and rear brakes together.

[firefighter]

If you're gonna do it, do it right.
I'd say you're gonna do it right !!!!   
Can't wait to follow the progress.

[LTZ C20]

Thanks. Here are a few pics of the parts I have received so far.

-inner tie rods
-outer tie rods
-adjuster sleeves
-upper control arms
-HD coil springs
-Pitman arm
-idler arm





Everything that is already painted will remain as such, any bare metal will be cleaned, primed and painted with VHT Roll Bar & Chassis paint. The paint is about 80% for rust and road grime prevention, 20% to look pretty.

[LTZ C20]

Parts that are currently on their way to be delivered include:

-lower control arms
-hardware and mounting parts for various front end pieces
-bump stops and sway bar bushings
-bolt on steering shock absorber kit
-shock mount frame brace kit

I got as much AC Delco parts from work as I could, the lower control arms I got didn't match up so they were returned and I got Moog replacements from Rock Auto. I will post pics as those arrive of course. I'm not going to replace the shocks just yet. I replaced them about 5 years ago, but I wanted to get the suspension and everything done and the see how it feels and drives and then make a decision on shocks. I currently have Monroe Gas-Magnums for 3/4 tons on it now, I may get those again or go to something better.

[cvbear]

looks like a great project!  Where are you getting your shock mount brace from?

[1967KaiserM715]

Going rubber or polyurethane for bushings?


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[LTZ C20]

looks like a great project!  Where are you getting your shock mount brace from?

Thanks. Summit Racing and a few off road shop like Off Road Design sell them.

[LTZ C20]

Going rubber or polyurethane for bushings?


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Little bit of both. Everything with a dust boot is all brand new rubber but the sway bar bushings and the rear spring bushing will all be poly. My body mounts and engine/trans mounts are all poly. It just didn't seem logical to replace all that brand new rubber boots with more brand new boots. It seemed redundant seeing as how they come with them already.

[LTZ C20]

I received a bunch of stuff today. I will probably have to wait until the weekend to post pics, just too busy during the week. At least this weekend I can post pics of the lower A-arms also.

Today I got:
- lower shock mount bolts, lock washers &nuts
-lower A-arm mounting brackets
-lower A-arm mounting U bolts w/ washers & nuts
-upper & lower bump stops, both sets rubber
-upper shock mount reinforcement kit
-steering shock absorber kit like 4x4s have but for 2 wheel drive. It looks like a pretty nice kit.

There is some  hardware that will need to be painted.

[philo_beddoe]

Whats this entire rebuild going to run you? Ballpark..$

[LTZ C20]

Well let's see:

I spent $1200 on front end parts. The rear will be cheaper, whether I replace or restore the rear springs it still shouldn't be more than 400-500. New hardware in the rear also, nuts & bolts, U bolts, bushings, all that good stuff. Then about 500 to do the rear disc conversion, that's including the conversion parts, brake pads, rotors, soft brake lines, axle seals, bearings and all that. Then I'm going to do the front brakes, new calipers, soft lines, rotors, pads, bearings and all that, so might budget 250-300 or so for the front. And I plan on replacing all 32 wheel studs also.

So, if you use another members advice and add a little extra just in case, shouldn't be more than 3,000 LOL. 3 times what I paid for the truck when I bought it. I've spent about 13,000 on it in the last 3 or so years tho.

I buy what I can when I can, then when I have all the parts, I set aside a weekend to do it all. My current work schedule makes it easier because I work Tues-Friday and I have Sat, Sun, Monday off. So I just wait till I have a weekend free and then I have 3 days to work on it and the parts store is open all 3 days just in case.

But who knows, I'm starting the recruiting process for my counties Sheriff's department so the project could be put on hold for what ever reason. If I need to do a lot to get hired and I have to be driving to and from appointments, I won't be taking the truck apart.

Its really my only addiction tho.

[LTZ C20]

Here's the link for the steering stabilizer kit. It's a Monroe kit, pt# SA1932.

http://www.monroe.com/en-US/catalog/e-Catalog/SA1932

Everything I got in the kit is exactly like the picture.

You guys think I should get a boot, I've heard varying opinions for and against.

[1967KaiserM715]

No boot, tends to hold water- I have boots on my shocks, but I pull and routinely clean under them, mainly cause I see a lot of mud, dirt and salt, the boots help just a little bit


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[LTZ C20]

Ok I ordered 2 lower control arms from work, both were Delco brand. Left side didn't match the right. So I returned them, and ordered a set of Moog arms from Rock Auto. Got them today, the left side doesn't match the right!

What's the deal here, my current arms are exactly the same just opposites. Is there something I'm missing or is this really just bad luck?

[LTZ C20]

No boot, tends to hold water- I have boots on my shocks, but I pull and routinely clean under them, mainly cause I see a lot of mud, dirt and salt, the boots help just a little bit


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That's what I've heard. But mines 2 wheel drive, no mud, no snow, water only if I wash the under side or hit a huge puddle, which I always try to avoid. Just want to keep the shaft safe and dust free.