Help! Low Buck Drop Spindle Install '69 w/ 6 Bolt Discs

[tcb-1]

alright, I'm ready to "start" the purchasing of all the components I will need to lower the front of my '69 1/2 ton. I have 2" drop springs already installed in the front and 5" drop springs out back. I want the front down a bit more and the only good choice I have is to go with drop spindles.

here's the question. what is the cheapest I can gather the necessary parts for this drop. I know I will need:
1. spindles
2. rotors
3. calipers/shoes
4. bearings
5. brake lines
6. proportioning valve
7. tie rod ends
8. ball joints

has anyone put together a "recipe" for a budget drop. furthermore, do you have p/n's, locations to purchase, etc.

or should I just bite the bullet and purchase a kit for $700-ouch!? help me out guys!!

[70c10]

I bought the GMC Paul kit for $470 and it took 70GMCer and me a total of 7-8 hours to install it. I went with the drop spindles also.

[lolife99]

tcb-1,... I would recommend using a 73-87 donor crossmember / parts truck. The reason: All the parts are cheaper. Balljoints, tie rods, calipers, rotors, etc. Here's the problem. How much of that stuff on your list do you want "used parts" on? I did this on my blazer. In theory,... I could have used the dust shield, and the bearing cap. Everything else I wanted new parts. When you start pricing,... check the prices of 71-72 stuff. Then check prices of the 73-87 stuff. (heavy duty 1 1/4" rotor only) The later stuff is much cheaper. You have to buy drop spindles and 6-lug rotors. How much other stuff do you want to buy new? Calipers are cheap. Check out the price differences. You will most likely need a "conversion" rubber brake hose. And you will need the "conversion" tierod sleeve. You can also swap the entire steering "parts" from 73-87 trucks. (if you have to replace it anyway) Inner and outer tie rods, centerlink, pitman arm, and etc. All these parts are cheaper in the 73-87 version. On my blazer I just pieced it together and bought all parts new. Maybe that kit price isn't too bad afterall.

[joehalford01]

i just bought a 77 parts truck for this myself. $100, it's tore up but the suspension is all good. Napa has quality parts and an awesome site, napaonline.com You can look up the parts and view them from several different angles, get the part numbers and prices and walk into your local napa with a list. Alot easier if you ask me as far as going the individual pieces route. It's funny how cheap calipers and rotors really are. I was a little suprised.

[slammed1]

There are quite a few companies offering 6 lug spindles for discs as well as rotors/caliper kits,and even drop spindles. Early Classic Enterprises,McGaughys,Performance Online and others offer kits so that stock 97-70 trucks can run front discs and 6 lug.

[CG]

If you dont want to spend the money on the disk upgrade right now you can use what people call stepped a frames instead of dropped spindles. You get about the same drop. You can use the frames with drop springs but not drop spindles. So if you want to upgrade to disks at a later date you have to use a stock spindle. Not really a bad deal since you can get those cheaper (usually)

[tcb-1]

Originally Posted by 70c10

I bought the GMC Paul kit for $470 and it took 70GMCer and me a total of 7-8 hours to install it. I went with the drop spindles also.

70c10,
$470 is resonable for me. I looked at GMC Paul's website and couldn't find this kit. Have you got a kit pn#?

[jkaylor68gmc]

yeah but new disc brakes are the way to go. Secondly I might not go with a '73 crossmember because you may spend more money rebuilding someone elses junk. It may be cheaper to maintain later on but the initial bite may hurt. I would recommend the normal drop spindle brake kit from No Limit engineering. I think it costs around 475.00 for spindles and brakes. No booster or master though. I just put a new brake kit on my '68 and SSBC told me you do not need a prop valve if you have a drum/drum truck already because those are just distribution blocks from the factory. I saved 100 bucks thanks to them and installed a disc/drum master and booster and an adjustable prop valve on the back. Hooked it right up to the factory prop valve.

[70c10]

Originally Posted by tcb-1

70c10,
$470 is resonable for me. I looked at GMC Paul's website and couldn't find this kit. Have you got a kit pn#?

I used part number 133163. I had to buy a new 71' MC locally for $14 and picked up a 71' prop valve at the junk yard for $5. Also needed to buy a few brake line fittings to adapt the lines to the prop valve ($7) http://www.gmcpauls.com/Brakes&Steering.htm

[Retro68]

I have everything you need if you would like to convert your truck over to 5 lug 5 inch bolt pattern. Here is the list. Complete idler arm, steering rod and tie rod ends. Westin 2 inch drop spindles, upper and lower ball joints, rotors, calipers, brake pads. Rear 5 bolt axles, backing plates, drums, complete brakes with pads. Also power steering, power steering pump, tilt steering column from a 1972 Chevy truck. I have inspected all these parts and remanufactured everything except the power steering pump and the steering box they didn't need it. PM if interested.

[tcb-1]

Originally Posted by Retro68

I have everything you need if you would like to convert your truck over to 5 lug 5 inch bolt pattern. Here is the list. Complete idler arm, steering rod and tie rod ends. Westin 2 inch drop spindles, upper and lower ball joints, rotors, calipers, brake pads. Rear 5 bolt axles, backing plates, drums, complete brakes with pads. Also power steering, power steering pump, tilt steering column from a 1972 Chevy truck. I have inspected all these parts and remanufactured everything except the power steering pump and the steering box they didn't need it. PM if interested.

Retro,
Thanks for the offer, but I'm staying 6 lug. You should post it over on the for sale board. bet you could sell your conversion quickly since you have the whole enchilada.

thanks again for looking out.