What Tie Rods and Ball Joints do I need to use 1973+ Spindles?
 

I tried a search, and didn't have much luck or may not have entered the correct search words.

What ball joints, tie rods, and sleeves to use a 1973+ spindle on a 1970 C10?

Would the parts be different for my 67 C10?

I am considering a QA1 Coil Over set-up and control arms for my 1970 2WD. It requires use of a 1973+ spindle. I am interested in this set-up because QA1 should provided a better ride and handling, while maintaining a stock ride height.

Thanks in advance.

Wes

Re: What Tie Rods and Ball Joints do I need to use 1973+ Spindles?
 

You need the 73+ center link also, then you can use all the 73+ tie rod ends, idler arm and pitman arm.

I am assuming you are using the 1970 control arms...You will need 71-71 upper and lower ball joints.

I am doing this exact same thing on my 67. Have had the parts bought for years. The best thing I liked about going this way, is the 73-up tie rod ends are heavier duty than the 71-72 parts. I have not installed my parts yet. Hope to this year!!!

I would like to hear more about your's when it is together. I was planning on using all stock stuff, not QA1

Re: What Tie Rods and Ball Joints do I need to use 1973+ Spindles?
 

Thanks for the information. If I use the 73+ Centerlink and Idler Arm, will the idler armbolt into the stock location of the 67 or 70?

I had read that if you change the whole cross member to a 73+, you need to drill holes for the idler arm. I think PS pitman arms are the same from 68-87. It’s going to be a slow build. I’m still acquiring parts, plus, I live and work in different states and only get back to TX once or twice a month.

Re: What Tie Rods and Ball Joints do I need to use 1973+ Spindles?
 

I believe that the Power Steering pitman arms are the same for those years. I believe they have different part numbers, but function same. Of sourse the power and manual pitman arms are different because the shaft size out of the steering boxes are very different sizes...
The idler arms are the same from 67-82.

I am using the 67 crossmember and control arms on mine. I like the 72 and earlier control arms better. You can grease the bushings. I believe the 73-up 3/4 and 1 tons still used grease-able control arm bushings.

Re: What Tie Rods and Ball Joints do I need to use 1973+ Spindles?
 

You can buy conversion collars to use the 67 outer tie rods as inners and then use 73 up outer tie rods and ball joints. That is how I did it. If you plan on lowering the truck there are drop spindles that allow you to use all 67 ball joints and tie rods.

Re: What Tie Rods and Ball Joints do I need to use 1973+ Spindles?
 

68 Gold and Daves70, thank you for the follow-up. I’m planning to look for a 73+ centerlink, so I can use 73+ tie rods. If I can’t find a good centerlink, I will use a conversion sleeve as suggested. I don’t know for certain, but I think if I had a bad tie rod, ball joint, or brake problem on a road trip, I could probably find replacement 73+ parts easier.

Thanks again for all the help.

Re: What Tie Rods and Ball Joints do I need to use 1973+ Spindles?
 

this info is not exactly complete cause i did it back in the 80's...i put in a 75 xmember but kept the original idler and centerlink...at the time my flaps had a TRW suspension parts book with a section that showed the dimensions of all the tie rod components....so found an inner tie rod end with the same taper and size as the 70 pickup and larger diameter as the 73 and up outer....think it was an oldsmobile part...iirc it was pretty long...so the sleeve that was the right diameter and length was from a vette...maybe if you still have a mom and pop parts house around they will have that book

Re: What Tie Rods and Ball Joints do I need to use 1973+ Spindles?
 

Volksworld, thanks for the suggestion. I'm not sure if there are any parts houses in my area that would still have the old books, but it is another option.

Wes

Re: What Tie Rods and Ball Joints do I need to use 1973+ Spindles?
 

Here's what I used on my '67 to update to '73-87 components (reused '67 control arms):
(2) Upper ball joints, '71-86 C10, Moog K6117T.
(2) Lower ball joints, '73-86 C10, Moog K6136.
(2) Outer tie rod ends, '73-87 C10, Moog ES409RT.
(2) Tie rod adjuster sleeves, '71-87 C10, Moog ES2004S.

I reused my '67 center drag link. El Camino inner tie rods match the smaller '67 drag link taper and the larger shaft of the '73-87 outer tie rods:
(2) Inner tie rod ends, '73-77 El Camino, Moog ES2020RLT.

For completeness, here are the other parts I used when rebuilding the control arms/steering:
(1) Idler arm, '67-82 C10, Moog K6096T.
(2) Control arm shaft, lower, 63-72 C10, Moog K6147.
(2) Control arm shaft, upper, 63-72 C10, Moog K6098.
(1) Power steering box, 3-1/4 turn, Lares #1075 remanufactured.

Re: What Tie Rods and Ball Joints do I need to use 1973+ Spindles?
 

Awesome list Tim, thanks for sharing.

Wes

Re: What Tie Rods and Ball Joints do I need to use 1973+ Spindles?
 

Tim
Thanks for that List.
Do you have a Build Thread?






.

Re: What Tie Rods and Ball Joints do I need to use 1973+ Spindles?
 

Thanks guys! I've received a LOT of help from this forum over the past year. It's good to give back. No build thread yet, but thinking about it.

~Tim