BellTech - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

suede71 · 08-04-2005, 10:41 PM

Do the 3" drop spindles for '71-'72 from Bell Tech require different ball Joints and Tie rod ends??.

Thanks

Tx Firefighter · 08-06-2005, 04:27 PM

I've never heard of a Bell Tech 3 inch spindle for 71-72.

I've used a few sets of their part numer BEL-3100, which is a 3 inch spindle for 73-87 trucks. If that's the one you're referring to, yes, you will need different upper ball joints and outer tie rod ends. Everything else is straight bolt in though.

LONGHAIR · 08-06-2005, 04:35 PM

I wonder why they don't offer one? If all it would take is changing the tapered holes, why not?

a squarecan · 08-06-2005, 05:34 PM

Hey TX,

So upgrading to later drop spindles all I will need to change are the upper Ball joints and outer tie rod ends and the tie rod ends will bolt up to my stock 64 suspension?

Thanks
Keith

suede71 · 08-06-2005, 07:29 PM

I ordered Belltech 3120's from Stylin and they are 3" for 71-72 C-10 chevy. It makes no mention of the ball joints and tie rods so lets hope that they work with stock stuff.

Thanks,
Tristen

Tx Firefighter · 08-07-2005, 12:25 PM

Squarecan, you will need lower ball joints on your 64 too. I assumed you were doing a 71-72 since you asked about that year range. The lower ball joints are the same for 71-87.

A pair of 63-70 dropped spindles will allow you to keep your stock ball joints and tie rod ends. They are only available in the 2 1/2 inch drop though rather than the 3 inch if you don't need that extra 1/2 inch of lowness.

a squarecan · 08-07-2005, 02:42 PM

thanks TX!

I do need "want" the extra 1/2 inch sinse I am building a railer, so I will just get new upper and lower Ball joints and outer tie rod ends. Will I need anything else for things to bolt up?

Thanks
Keith

Tx Firefighter · 08-07-2005, 02:47 PM

Remember, all drop spindles require disc brakes if you don't already have them on your truck. You will need the normal brake items for a disc brake truck, rotors, calipers, bearings, etc...Any 71-87 truck with the 1.25 inch thick rotor can be a donor or you can just buy it at the parts store.

*screamin_c102* · 08-07-2005, 03:25 PM

He's right, I can't believe my eyes a 3" spindle for 71-72!!!

Check part# Bel-3120

http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...=400013+300244

I'm probably gonna call Belltech directly to confirm it though

see ten · 08-08-2005, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by screamin_c10

He's right, I can't believe my eyes a 3" spindle for 71-72!!!

Check part# Bel-3120

http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...=400013+300244

I'm probably gonna call Belltech directly to confirm it though

Keep us updated!

cornutz · 08-08-2005, 04:48 PM

Does anybody know what potential problems one would encounter with a 3 " drop spindle? will the rest of the stock pieces work with it or would there be other things to replace?

matthufham · 08-08-2005, 05:22 PM

to be specific, these are the 71-72 spindles
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...4&autoview=sku

*screamin_c102* · 08-08-2005, 06:04 PM

Just spoke to Belltech tech support (1-800-445-3767) and it is confirmed the BEL-3120 is a 3" drop and is a direct bolt on for 71-72 C10.

Clearancing of the lower control arm is necessary if you want to run 15" rims.

*screamin_c102* · 08-08-2005, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cornutz

Does anybody know what potential problems one would encounter with a 3 " drop spindle? will the rest of the stock pieces work with it or would there be other things to replace?

I asked about any problems and he basically said that it is a direct bolt in, that there may be minor control arm clearance issues.

I would think it would also depend on how far you drop tthe truck either via springs or bags.

I know if I put them on Screamin' My front tires (275/60/15) will be rubbin' the inner fender wells hard when the front is aired out.

Time for narrower tires

Ratpowerd67 · 08-08-2005, 09:49 PM

i have the bell tech 3" spindles on my truck from stylin concepts and you dont have to change out anything they are 100% bolt on for 71-72 trucks with 1" thick rotors. ive had no issues with them..........rat

Ratpowerd67 · 08-08-2005, 09:52 PM

oh if you have 15 in wheels you might have to do some minor grinding on the a arm, i have 20s............rat

matthufham · 08-09-2005, 11:59 AM

you will need an alignment, add that to the total cost, but can you reuse the old ball joints?

*screamin_c102* · 08-09-2005, 02:17 PM

Why couldn't you? unless they were worrn out that is.
These spindles are drilled o accept our ball joints and tie rod ends.
I personally am going to replace my ball joints when I do the spindles due to age and they looked pretty nasty when I bagged her last month, boots are shot and they have dirt and crap up in them. So I figure I'll swap them out when I put new spindles on.

I agree that an alignment is a must afterwards.

08-04-2005, 10:41 PM	#1
suede71 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Boxford, MA Posts: 50	BellTech Do the 3" drop spindles for '71-'72 from Bell Tech require different ball Joints and Tie rod ends??. Thanks

08-06-2005, 04:27 PM	#2
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	I've never heard of a Bell Tech 3 inch spindle for 71-72. I've used a few sets of their part numer BEL-3100, which is a 3 inch spindle for 73-87 trucks. If that's the one you're referring to, yes, you will need different upper ball joints and outer tie rod ends. Everything else is straight bolt in though. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

08-07-2005, 12:25 PM	#6
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Squarecan, you will need lower ball joints on your 64 too. I assumed you were doing a 71-72 since you asked about that year range. The lower ball joints are the same for 71-87. A pair of 63-70 dropped spindles will allow you to keep your stock ball joints and tie rod ends. They are only available in the 2 1/2 inch drop though rather than the 3 inch if you don't need that extra 1/2 inch of lowness. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

08-07-2005, 02:47 PM	#8
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Remember, all drop spindles require disc brakes if you don't already have them on your truck. You will need the normal brake items for a disc brake truck, rotors, calipers, bearings, etc...Any 71-87 truck with the 1.25 inch thick rotor can be a donor or you can just buy it at the parts store. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

08-07-2005, 03:25 PM	#9
screamin_c102 Account Suspended Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Yoncalla Oregon Posts: 775	He's right, I can't believe my eyes a 3" spindle for 71-72!!! Check part# Bel-3120 http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...=400013+300244 I'm probably gonna call Belltech directly to confirm it though Last edited by screamin_c102; 08-07-2005 at 03:31 PM. Reason: turkey crap on the KB

08-06-2005, 04:35 PM	#3
LONGHAIR just can't cover up my redneck Join Date: May 2004 Location: Columbus OH Posts: 11,414	I wonder why they don't offer one? If all it would take is changing the tapered holes, why not?

08-06-2005, 05:34 PM	#4
a squarecan Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 232	Hey TX, So upgrading to later drop spindles all I will need to change are the upper Ball joints and outer tie rod ends and the tie rod ends will bolt up to my stock 64 suspension? Thanks Keith

08-06-2005, 07:29 PM	#5
suede71 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Boxford, MA Posts: 50	I ordered Belltech 3120's from Stylin and they are 3" for 71-72 C-10 chevy. It makes no mention of the ball joints and tie rods so lets hope that they work with stock stuff. Thanks, Tristen

08-07-2005, 02:42 PM	#7
a squarecan Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 232	thanks TX! I do need "want" the extra 1/2 inch sinse I am building a railer, so I will just get new upper and lower Ball joints and outer tie rod ends. Will I need anything else for things to bolt up? Thanks Keith

08-08-2005, 04:48 PM	#11
cornutz All Praise RANDY!! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Central California Posts: 391	Does anybody know what potential problems one would encounter with a 3 " drop spindle? will the rest of the stock pieces work with it or would there be other things to replace?

08-08-2005, 05:22 PM	#12
matthufham Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carl Junction, Missouri Posts: 2,061	to be specific, these are the 71-72 spindles http://store.summitracing.com/partde...4&autoview=sku

08-08-2005, 06:04 PM	#13
screamin_c102 Account Suspended Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Yoncalla Oregon Posts: 775	Just spoke to Belltech tech support (1-800-445-3767) and it is confirmed the BEL-3120 is a 3" drop and is a *direct bolt on* for 71-72 C10. Clearancing of the lower control arm is necessary if you want to run 15" rims. Last edited by screamin_c102; 08-08-2005 at 06:06 PM.

08-08-2005, 09:49 PM	#15
Ratpowerd67 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Trenton ,Texas Posts: 328	i have the bell tech 3" spindles on my truck from stylin concepts and you dont have to change out anything they are 100% bolt on for 71-72 trucks with 1" thick rotors. ive had no issues with them..........rat

08-08-2005, 09:52 PM	#16
Ratpowerd67 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Trenton ,Texas Posts: 328	oh if you have 15 in wheels you might have to do some minor grinding on the a arm, i have 20s............rat

08-09-2005, 11:59 AM	#17
matthufham Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carl Junction, Missouri Posts: 2,061	you will need an alignment, add that to the total cost, but can you reuse the old ball joints? Last edited by matthufham; 08-09-2005 at 11:59 AM.



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08-09-2005, 02:17 PM	#18
screamin_c102 Account Suspended Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Yoncalla Oregon Posts: 775	Why couldn't you? unless they were worrn out that is. These spindles are drilled o accept our ball joints and tie rod ends. I personally am going to replace my ball joints when I do the spindles due to age and they looked pretty nasty when I bagged her last month, boots are shot and they have dirt and crap up in them. So I figure I'll swap them out when I put new spindles on. I agree that an alignment is a must afterwards.

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