Disc brake swap tie rod questions

[Meatman]

Ok so in order to swap on disc brake spindles, all the needs to be changed is upper and lower ball joints and tie rod ends. But from what I can tell both inner and outer tie rods and different sizes 68 vs 72.

So if I buy 72 outer tie rods they wont work with the adjuster sleeves on the 68. So if I buy new inner and outer tie rods, and adjuster sleeves, will the 72 inners work with 68 center link?

Im guessing this will work? Lists pitman and idler arms the same part number for 68 vs 72.

[Indyuke]

I was under the impression you also need the steering center link as well as the inner and outer tie rods for the 72. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

[gcburdic]

the center links are different in 68 and 72....I think they do make an adjuster sleeve that will adapt the 72 outer with the 68 inners...check with ECE or CPP

EDIT: because I usually get it confused too...take a look at this great write up by member lolife99....
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823 pick out your year and truck x-member setup, and it explains the rest thoroughly!

[Meatman]

Ive read that. Thats where I knew I need outers. I hope I dont need the center link. I scrapped it....
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[kwmech]

If you stay with off the shelf parts, you will need everything. The thread size is different and the tapers are different

[lolife99]

The first question I have,... do you have the spindles already?

If not.
Buy 63-70 conversion spindles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Everyone makes them now.
Summit Racing sells the CPP version for $219.
DONE!

No tie rod change.
No ball joint change.
No centerlink swap.
Nothing .

Complete bolt-on.

[shawno72]

Agreed

[lolife99]

If not,... you will learn the hard way like me.
I had a set of brand new McGaughy's 71-72 spindles that I got for $100.

The easiest way to install these is to use ALL the steering from a 71-72 truck including the centerlink, tie rods, and new 71-72 ball joints.

The expensive route that I took,... involve tie rod adapters to convert the 71-72 outer tie rods to the 67-70 drum brake steering.
Simple buy some tie rod adapter sleeves.
NOT.

These sleeves convert the larger (11/16") 71-72 outers to the smaller (5/8") 67-70 inner tie rods.
So so simple.
The 71-72 outers are RH thread.
The 67-70 inners are also RH thread.

That means you have to buy 67-70 LH thread outer tie rods and install the in the inner location.
What a pain in the billfold.

It can all be done.
That's what I did on my '69.

The cost effective way is to install conversion spindles.
This keeps you from buying:
1) upper and lower ball joints
2) inner and outer tie rods
3) $60 tie rod adapters

Not including the original priice of buying the wrong spindles.

All of this info should be in the conversion info in my signature below.
Drum to Disc Brake Conversion Info:
Just click on the correct year for the swap!

[Ackattack]

Isn't this a C-20? I think most of the above info is for half tons.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by Ackattack

Isn't this a C-20? I think most of the above info is for half tons.

Never said in the OP's original post,... but I do now see a C20 in the sig.

Converting to 1/2-ton?

Either way,... there is also C20 conversion spindles.
(stock height and drop spindles)
They do cost more.
http://www.performanceonline.com/Spindles-c-1143/

[dennislbrooks]

U might -- use 2 - 72 outer tie rod ends and recut threads from the 72 -- 11/16" RH thread to a pre-71 5/8" LH thread. Or go the routes of other suggestions on this thread.

[Meatman]

Well crap. I have original used good spindles and rotors. I havent bought anything yet like ball joints and such. Im sure truck prob needs it all so it was no big deal to get all that stuff. So really all I need in a center link if I buy inner and outer 71 72 stuff?
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[lolife99]

I looked at Meatman's build thread.
It looks like he bought a complete front stub from teeitup.

I would just use the correct parts from that stub and all the steering linkage also.

I assumed drop spindles were in the picture.
(I think I answer this same question too much. Ha.)

[lolife99]

yes.
I assume the front end you got from teeitup has no steering?
All the C20 parts are the same from 71-87.

What is the goal here?
Just add disc brakes at a stock height?
You'll still need the M/C and prop. valve from a 71-72 truck.

[Meatman]

Ya had all that.....pulled spindles and tossed the rest. So I need a center link.
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[Meatman]

Yes just add disc brakes at stock height. I have master and booster off the eagle truck.
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[lolife99]

Yep.
Find you a 71-72 C20 centerlink.
Give teeitup a shout.

[Meatman]

Just texted him! Thanks for help Keith and everyone. Go figure I had what I needed and threw it away.....
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[Classic Bowties]

Originally Posted by Meatman

Just texted him! Thanks for help Keith and everyone. Go figure I had what I needed and threw it away.....
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You may also want to add a set of lower 71 up a-frames to match your disc spindles, the spindle stops are are different on drum vs. disc lower a-frames. I have done more than just a few of these drum-disc conversions and when talking stock OE parts/OE height, IMHO and judging by the amount of calls I take on this subject, it saves parts hunting time and $$$ to just use the complete drop out disc saddle (like pictured below) as all of the matching disc specific parts are present and included for id'ing and replacment purposes. Engine in or out, you can have this job done and the truck sitting back down on it's tires in a good work day. Mel

[Indyuke]

How are the spindle stops different? I'm curious because I'm in the process of converting my 1970 to disc brakes using parts from a 71.

[profe56]

I swaped disc brakes from a 73-87 1/2 ton. What I did is I cuted in half the four adjusting sleeves and welded half 73-87 with half 69 4 years ago it works good but I don't recomend it. classic performance parts sells the right part, just check their cataloge. also they have an article how to swap 73-87 disc brakes in 67-70 trucks.