Hey Captainfab, at this point I need to get the truck rolling (and stoping). Converting to 4x4 is down the road (or maybe will replace the brake issue or be a different truck - I'm playing it by ear [and budget]). But right now I'm leaning towards getting this truck fixed and then selling it.
I've checked the brake FAQ, and I've had the "Disc Brake Upgrade Reference Thread" page open on my computer for about a week. I've been reading (and re-reading) the "1963-1966/5 lug" section, specifically the "Parts Swap:" part of it. It's great at stating the necessities, but not really the "why" rationale. I have read elsewhere that the ball joints need to fit the spindle for proper seating, and not really the control arms (hence the need to replace the ball joints if only swapping the spindles).
But why the outer tie rod? Does the '63 not fit the '88 spindle? Currently, it just looks like the bushings for the tie rods need to be replaced. I should also note that the outer tie rods look like they are originally from the '63.
Also there is no mention about brake lines. Do the newer model brake lines fit the '73-'87/'88 spindles?
And how can these be '88 spindles? I thought they wouldn't fit? Isn't it more likely that the PO mis-stated the year model spindles came from?
I do have 2 pics, but they are just close-ups of the caliper so I could research the number on it (but no luck so far). You can at least see the upper and lower ball joints here too. I'll get more pictures today of everything else.
But really, I want to know if:
- can I just replace the spindle with the drum (understanding better now that I would need to replace the ball joints too)?
- why are the castle nuts not spinning on the thread? is it common to use loc-tite or something similar? If so, (I'm referring to the outer tie-rod here), how do I brace/hold the bold so I can get the castle nut off?
