68 to disc brake questions

[STP67-72]

I have a few questions about converting to 71-72 disc. I have done this several times useing the complete setup. Spindles,center link and brake lines from a 71-72. I have also used different brake hoses from caliper to the 67-70 brake lines which enters from the rear instead of the front like a 71-72. I can't remember what hoses that i used. Does anybody have some part numbers??????

I remember seeing a post on the outer tie rod ends and special sleeves to use on the 68 centerlink setup that is on the truck. I would like to use what i have instead of breaking up my complete 71-72 setups.

I also have installed several 73-87 disc complete unit on before. I was wondering if you can use the 73 up spindles-etc.on the 67-72 a-arms. I think one of the ball joints are the sameas 71-72.Any info.will be appreciated.Just curious on this also.I have a couple 73 up units, but do not feel like installing the complete unit in this truck. I am doing a quicky- budget truck to sell.

Thank you.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by STP67-72

....I also have installed several 73-87 disc complete unit on before. I was wondering if you can use the 73 up spindles-etc.on the 67-72 a-arms. I think one of the ball joints are the sameas 71-72.Any info.will be appreciated.Just curious on this also.I have a couple 73 up units, but do not feel like installing the complete unit in this truck. I am doing a quicky- budget truck to sell.

Thank you.

Steve,
The 73-up stuff works well. Use the correct BJ's for 73-up spindles & swap them in. I use the brake lines (hard, flex, & prop valve) from a 73-up since they're easier to locate in the wrecking yards & parts houses. You also use the 73-up tie-rods & drag-link; just use the correct pitman/idler for the type of steering box: manual or pwr.

I did the 71-72 swap on my 67 years ago & it was a pain. Since then, I prefer the 73-up swap.

[STP67-72]

Thanks Scoti
Are you saying that the 73 up spindles, center link and tie rod ends will work on my 67-72 a-arms???? IF i use 73 up ball joints. I think one of the 73 up ball joint is the same as the 71-72 ball joint???

I think TX Firefighter was the guy that had all the info. on the 67-72 tie rod and sleeve parts.
I am curious what brake hoses will work on my 68 brake lines. I hate to start looking through boxes at parts house..

I had a lot of this info. in a folder, but lost lots of stuff like this after hurricane RITA.

Thanks

[Tx Firefighter]

Here's what I know....

Lower ball joints are the same from 71-87

Upper ball joints are 71-72 and 73-87.

As far as the brake hoses. If you keep the drum crossmember with the brake hoses coming out of the back side, you can get the proper brake hoses from Early Classic. I never found the right hoses over the counter at a parts store.

[OLDIRON69]

Move the bracket for the brake flex line..

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by OLDIRON69

Move the bracket for the brake flex line..

You'll have to build all new hard lines for the front of the truck if you do that. The locations of the 70 and earlier and the 71 and later hard lines are about a foot away from each other.

The early drum brake trucks used the hard lines that ran along the rear side of the front crossmember with a tab on each side behind the crossmember.

The 71-72 disc brake trucks used hard lines that run across the top of the front crossmember then along the front edge of the crossmember to a tab on the front side.

The difference between the two is very significant.

73 and newer trucks used a totally different setup with the prop valve up front.

[OLDIRON69]

My bad, I thought he was just trying to use a flex line that would stay in the origional spot. I'm doing a 69 disc swap and went ahead and bought new lines, I'll have to move my flex line brackets on the crossmember..thought this is what he was trying to do...

[MotorSeven]

Stp, i started out to do the same...switching the minimal parts out of a '68 to a '72. After pulling off one spindle & looking at all the work involved, i just pulled out the whole cross member & swapped with an '81 that had power steering. I really think it is less work, plus every thing matches. The only kicker that the engine really needs to be out of the way, or at least jacked up as far as possible.

RD

[airdale94]

I just did this on a 68 C20 2WD. Bought the whole front stub from the junk yard. Swapped everything but the crossmember as the motor mount holes were the same. Only differance was the rear mounted rubber brake hose mount. I just replaced my front brake hoses for my drums from O'Reilly's so I used those and they screwed right into the calipers. 84 C20 2WD donor.

[STP67-72]

Thanks TX and everybody.
TX thanks for information. I thought someone made the hoses. I could not remember which ball joint was the same. I will probably use my 71-72 disc set up because they are already off.

Questions for TX Firefighter and Scoti Who ever??

Who makes the adjusting sleeve and outer tie rod end for my original 68 centerlink assembly. I have several 67-70 units i would like to use up.

I also know that i can use the complete 73-up unit. Complete chunk,hardlines hoses and proportion valve. The units i have are still in trucks.

I think scoti is saying the 73 up disc brakes and center link assembly will work on 71-72 A-arms if i use the 73 up ball joints.

Thanks for all of the help and sorry if this is confusing.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by STP67-72

I also know that i can use the complete 73-up unit. Complete chunk,hardlines hoses and proportion valve. The units i have are still in trucks.

I think scoti is saying the 73 up disc brakes and center link assembly will work on 71-72 A-arms if i use the 73 up ball joints.

Yep, 73-up discs on 67-72 arms using 73-up spindles/BJ's.

The 73-up brake lines are a personal preference. Some guys don't mind moving the prop valve to the splash pan (I fit in that category) while others don't want to stray from the stock look & like to keep it right under the master cyl. If ya' don't mind moving it, the 73-up flex hoses are an easy swap. If you want to keep it more 'stock', the 71-72 lines & routing are the way to go.

[STP67-72]

ttt

[70GMCer]

Why not just bolt up all the 73-87 parts, including control arms, unto the original 67-72 xmember and be done with it?

[n2billet]

(I am doing a quicky- budget truck to sell.)

I seen your so called "quicky's" always nicer than most show trucks!

[STP67-72]

Daaang Kieth
You are hard on me. I thought you have been so busy you would have forgot all of that.Lets see some pics. of sons truck. Or both of them. H..L, just walk through shop and take pics. of everthing in there.

The main reason i want to use the 71-72 disc setup is because i have 2-3 sets on the shelf. I don't have but a couple 71-72 centerlinks, that is why i am trying to use my 68 link and tie-rod ends up.The other reason is the 3-73 up setups are still in trucks with engines and are still rolling.

But the main reason is that i get off everyday at 3 pm and go home and work on my new 40x60 shop that i am beginning to put up until dark. Then i go to my old shop around the corner and try to put in a couple hours in on one of two projects. A frame off 68 for a customer and a 67 driver to sell to a guy at work. And then i go home and work on trying to stay married.

[n2billet]

Originally Posted by STP67-72

Daaang Kieth
You are hard on me. I thought you have been so busy you would have forgot all of that.Lets see some pics. of sons truck. Or both of them. H..L, just walk through shop and take pics. of everthing in there.

The main reason i want to use the 71-72 disc setup is because i have 2-3 sets on the shelf. I don't have but a couple 71-72 centerlinks, that is why i am trying to use my 68 link and tie-rod ends up.The other reason is the 3-73 up setups are still in trucks with engines and are still rolling.

But the main reason is that i get off everyday at 3 pm and go home and work on my new 40x60 shop that i am beginning to put up until dark. Then i go to my old shop around the corner and try to put in a couple hours in on one of two projects. A frame off 68 for a customer and a 67 driver to sell to a guy at work. And then i go home and work on trying to stay married.

I was being nice! I'll send you some pictures in the near future.

[STP67-72]

Who makes the adapter sleeves for the 70 and earlier to the 71-72 setup.

[Tx Firefighter]

Nope, same length

[melvin]

Quick question on the spindles as long as we're on the 6-lug topic - is there a difference between the spindles for the light duty 3/4 ton (88-98, 6-lug) and normal 1/2 ton (5-lug, same era)? I've read through the faq, but didn't really see that info. Thanks!

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by melvin

Quick question on the spindles as long as we're on the 6-lug topic - is there a difference between the spindles for the light duty 3/4 ton (88-98, 6-lug) and normal 1/2 ton (5-lug, same era)? I've read through the faq, but didn't really see that info. Thanks!

Not that I've ever heard of. I knew a couple of guys that did this swap & used drop spindles so that would suggest it as well.