67 Control Arm Rebuild

[jnocero]

I am going to rebuild my front end on my 67 C10. It is going to end up with drop spindles, air bags, and disc brakes. I have some hubs, rotors, and calipers from a 79 that I would like to reuse. Questions:

When I order the drop spindles, do I specify 79 to get the right spindles so the 79 calipers and hubs will fit?

Do the 79 spindles need 79 ball joints to get the right taper?

The outer edges of the big holes on the lower control arms are kind of chewed up (where the big pivot shaft nut seats on the arm). I looked at other trucks and this seems common. Do I need to dress that flat somehow?

Any problems with reusing the old control arm shafts and tubes and nuts after 43 years, or did I just answer that question?

What is a good brand of drop spindle?

[N2TRUX]

Use everything from the 79 that you can, since the 73-87 parts are cheaper to buy. You will need to know what size brakes you have. The made a 1" and a 1.25" thickness rotor. Everything from the spindle out will need to match the size you have, including the caliper.

[raycow]

Most people swap the control arms too, because the later bushings are easier to find, cost less, and don't need greasing. If you keep the 67 arms, you will need to put the later ball joints in them. Check the fit of the bushings on the shafts first, because they are likely to be worn.

Ray

[blime81]

I like the CPP modular spindles. They don't increase your track width and can be setup with different brackets to use whatever caliper you like.

I just did this and you will also need to get an adaptor for the tierod ends. The 73+ are bigger thread. You'll be using 73+ outers and earlier inners. CPP sells these as well. Might as well change it all out now rather than getting it back together only to have to swap a sloppy old part later.

My advice is call them and tell them what you have and they'll set you up right.

[jnocero]

Thanks for the help. I will pull the 79 control arms, and call CPP for spindles.
As for the tie rod ends, I have another thread going asking for help with hanging junkyard rack and pinion off of the stock crossmember. Thanks for the advice on getting bigger threads.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by blime81

I like the CPP modular spindles. They don't increase your track width and can be setup with different brackets to use whatever caliper you like.

I just did this and you will also need to get an adaptor for the tierod ends. The 73+ are bigger thread. You'll be using 73+ outers and earlier inners. CPP sells these as well. Might as well change it all out now rather than getting it back together only to have to swap a sloppy old part later.

My advice is call them and tell them what you have and they'll set you up right.

If you use all post-73 stuff (spindles, tie-rods, & draglink), there's no need for adapters.

[blime81]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

If you use all post-73 stuff (spindles, tie-rods, & draglink), there's no need for adapters.

True, I kept the 72 draglink. Honestly for the price of the adapters, you could just buy a JY draglink.

Sounds like he is gonna run a rack and pinion anyway. I'm wanna see how this is done too!