58-64 impala guys here

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58-64 impala guys here
dooredZoo avatar
dooredZoo
+1y
I'm just wondering what I have to do to convert the front end of a 61 that I just picked up to S10 suspension, if possible. I'm almost positive that it's do-able, I just need to know what to use. I would like to be able to use the S10 spindles.

If it can't be done, can I just put a disc setup from a S10 on an Impala spindle that is made for disc? It's so much cheaper to buy parts for a S10 than it is for an Impala, and I'm sure that all the parts are interchangeable, it'd just be nice to know before I waste cash buying parts that I could have gotten for cheaper.

Also, any preference on brake booster/master cylinder setup?
Idragit avatar
Idragit
+1y
I'm pretty sure you can bolt up an s-10 spindle to the impala a-arms..if there is any slack or doubt..just replace the balljoints with s-10 balljoints..(I'd do that anyway)..they will bolt right up..I did this on a 64 chevelle..but I had to ream the holes on the spindle a lil to fit the larger chevelle balljoints..late 70's and earlly 80's monte carlo, cutlas, regal, grand prix..are all the same front parts as s-10..may be slight differences in size but all parts will interchange..
mmautoworks avatar
mmautoworks
+1y
I HAVE DONE TWO 64S WITH S 10 FRONT SUSP THAT LAYED ON 20S ON THE UPPER CONTROL ARM TWO OF THE HOLES WILL LINE UP FOR YOUR BALL JOINT YOU WILL NEED TO DRILL THE OTHER TWO. ON THE LOWERS ALL WE DID WAS CUT THE END OFF THE S 10 ARM AND THE END OFF THE 64 ARM AND PUT THE S 10 PEICE ON THE IMPALA MAKE SURE IT IS THE SAME LENGETH AND BE SURE TO GUSSET IT UP GOOD YOUR LOWER CONTROL ARM IS YOUR LOAD BEARING ARM. USE S 10 OUTER TIE ROD ENDS AND THE S 10 INTERMEIATE SHAFT YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE THE SHAFT MACHINED ON THE INSIDE TO THE IMPALE THREAD AND IT HAD TO BE SHORTENED A LITTLE ALL THAT WITH A 2 INCH DROP SPINDLE AND IT WILL LAY 20S NO PROB AND STEER REAL FAR LAYED OUT
dooredZoo avatar
dooredZoo
+1y
Thanks for the quick reply guys, but seems like a lot of trouble just to save a couple hundred buck on drop spindles. You can get em for the impala for like 300-400 bucks. I guess it would pay off though if I were to use S10 disc brakes because they are very cheap compared to the Impala.

Will a S10 disc setup work on the disc brake spindle for the Impala?

Russell, what master cylinder/booster setup did you run? What about a proportioning valve?
dooredZoo avatar
dooredZoo
+1y
And as long as we're on the subject of laying out, were you able to keep the stock sway bar up front? or at least the stock location? Any pics of a setup on one would be appreciated.
mmautoworks avatar
mmautoworks
+1y
ONE HAD A SWAY BAR AND ONE DID NOT BUT I AM PRETTY SURE WE USED THE STOCK SET UP

WE USED ONE OUT OF STREET RODDER 7 INCH BOOSTER AND POWER MASTER WITH A VALVE THAT CAME WITH IT ON THE OTHER HE KEPT THE MANUAL MASTER AND PUT AN S 10 VALVE ON IT WE JUST DID THE SUSP ON THAT ONE NOT THE BRAKES

AS FOR THE IMPALA SPINDLE I DONT KNOW IF IT WILL FIT THE BIG BONUS I HAVE SEEN WITH THE S 10 STUFF CHEAP AS HELL AND IT PULLS YOUR FRONT WHEELS IN SOME SO YOU CAN TURN LOW AS HELL. I WILL SEE IF I CAN FIND SOME PICS OR GO SEE THE GUY WHO OWNS THE CLOSEST ONE IM ME YOUR E MAIL AND I CAN GET SOME THIS WEEKEND I THINK HE IS TAKING IT TO TEX MEX IF NOT HE DOSNT LIVE FAR
mmautoworks avatar
mmautoworks
+1y
HEY GO TO YOURSOURCE MAG THERE IS A PIC OF THE CAR IN THE TURKEY DRAG COVERAGE ITS WHITE AND RUST YOU CANT MISS IT
thesource161 avatar
thesource161
+1y
on my 62 wagon we cut the lower control arm 2 inches back from the balljoint on the s10 arms and an 2 and a half inches off the impala arms then welded them up. if you go for 2 inch and 2 inch you will have positive camber layed out in the front. then we reinforced the lower arm and made the top arm bolt in balljoint and could run the s10 spindle with disc brake. hit me up if you have question i got my info from someone on here that had a 61 layed out i believe.