67 vs 71 spindles - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Jwill41 · 03-20-2003, 08:58 PM

I need to know if 5 lug disc brake spindles from a 71 chevy fit on a 6 lug drum brake 67 GMC? Would I be able to use the 67 ball joints and just change spindles? Can I put the 67 drum spindles back on the 71? It would be cool if that was all there is to it.

jmanz69 · 03-20-2003, 10:28 PM

It's not that easy. The drum brake spindles are very different than the disc brake spindles. Also the ball joints are different. You can use the same control arms, but your drum brake lower will affect your steering. It's also a little different. Sorry, but it's a little more complicated than you think. Best bet is to get a 71-72 whole front suspension and transfer it you your 67-70 frame.

Jwill41 · 03-21-2003, 09:50 AM

That tough huh. Wouldn't the engine need to be removed to swap the front cross member?

Jesse 67 c-10 · 03-21-2003, 01:05 PM

Don't need to swap the xmember. Go to a yard, 1. unbolt the lower arms from the member
2. unhook the top ball joints
3. pull the idler arm off the frame and the center link off the pitman, keep everything else hooked up
4. Unhook brake lines.
5. roll (wheels will be kinda floppy, might not "roll") the whole thing out.

You can even leave it all connected and just bolt it on your truck with new 72 ball joints in your upper arms. or replace all your "wearables" while its out, that would be a good idea. if you follow that you get everything, even wheels, which ya might need. I think there's an faq about this too.
Good luck!
Jesse

73stepside · 03-21-2003, 06:46 PM

you will have to replace the ball joints, tie rod ends, crosslink, mater cylinder, prop valve, and of course get new 5 bolt wheels. you will have to grind down the steering stop to get it to turn right. from what i've seen there is no difference in the lower a arms besides the stop being shorter. hope this helps

crazy longhorn · 03-21-2003, 07:55 PM

All the guys have you pretty well covered on the parts. IMO, I would use the 67 arms, & grind the stops on the spindles as needed.....crazyL

Jwill41 · 03-21-2003, 08:46 PM

Thanks everyone. I am looking at getting a complete 71 parts truck so I will have all the parts. I just want to do it the easiest way. Thanks again all.

crazy longhorn · 03-21-2003, 08:59 PM

its always good when you have all the parts! Dont sweat the crossmember.....I still have the stocker under my 69. The only diff in the crossmembers will be on brake hose brackets. Good luck,crazyL

jayssunm · 03-23-2003, 01:41 AM

I have already done a swap of the front suspension of my 67'. I changed to 71/72 spindles (rotors/calipers too) ball joints (believe update to 71/72) inner tie rod ends (definetly updated to 71/72) and inner tie rod ends (used 67).

Unless you really enjoy spending lots of time under your truck I would just get some updated parts and keep your current crossmember and A-arms (even though I have read here that I should have changed out my A-arms for better turning radius.

Just my 2 cents. If you want 71-72 spindles I have some. You pay for shipping. I just hate throwing away good old chevy parts.

03-20-2003, 08:58 PM	#1
Jwill41 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Farmers Branch, Tx Posts: 1,009	67 vs 71 spindles I need to know if 5 lug disc brake spindles from a 71 chevy fit on a 6 lug drum brake 67 GMC? Would I be able to use the 67 ball joints and just change spindles? Can I put the 67 drum spindles back on the 71? It would be cool if that was all there is to it. __________________ http://www.picturetrail.com/jwill41 67 1/2 ton GMC short step side 68 1/2 ton Chevy long fleet side 72 1/2 ton Chevy Suburban 99 1/2 ton Chevy Suburban founder (and only member) of the primer/clearcoat club

03-21-2003, 09:50 AM	#3
Jwill41 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Farmers Branch, Tx Posts: 1,009	That tough huh. Wouldn't the engine need to be removed to swap the front cross member? __________________ http://www.picturetrail.com/jwill41 67 1/2 ton GMC short step side 68 1/2 ton Chevy long fleet side 72 1/2 ton Chevy Suburban 99 1/2 ton Chevy Suburban founder (and only member) of the primer/clearcoat club

03-21-2003, 01:05 PM	#4
Jesse 67 c-10 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Posts: 599	Don't need to swap the xmember. Go to a yard, 1. unbolt the lower arms from the member 2. unhook the top ball joints 3. pull the idler arm off the frame and the center link off the pitman, keep everything else hooked up 4. Unhook brake lines. 5. roll (wheels will be kinda floppy, might not "roll") the whole thing out. You can even leave it all connected and just bolt it on your truck with new 72 ball joints in your upper arms. or replace all your "wearables" while its out, that would be a good idea. if you follow that you get everything, even wheels, which ya might need. I think there's an faq about this too. Good luck! Jesse __________________ Edmonton, Alberta, 67 c-10, Long fleet, front disks, 5 lug rear end, 327 with Vortechs, edlbrock manifold, comp cams XE 256, 600cfm carb. Backed by a getrag 5 speed and 1 piece driveshaft. 1993 Dihatsu Hijet Jumbo cab 4x4, currently converting to battery electric power.

03-21-2003, 06:46 PM	#5
73stepside Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Moore OK 73160 Posts: 974	you will have to replace the ball joints, tie rod ends, crosslink, mater cylinder, prop valve, and of course get new 5 bolt wheels. you will have to grind down the steering stop to get it to turn right. from what i've seen there is no difference in the lower a arms besides the stop being shorter. hope this helps __________________ 04 GMC Sierra RCSS 70 CST LWB 04 HD Sportster 1200 Custom

03-21-2003, 08:46 PM	#7
Jwill41 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Farmers Branch, Tx Posts: 1,009	Thanks everyone. I am looking at getting a complete 71 parts truck so I will have all the parts. I just want to do it the easiest way. Thanks again all. __________________ http://www.picturetrail.com/jwill41 67 1/2 ton GMC short step side 68 1/2 ton Chevy long fleet side 72 1/2 ton Chevy Suburban 99 1/2 ton Chevy Suburban founder (and only member) of the primer/clearcoat club

03-20-2003, 10:28 PM	#2
jmanz69 Careful, they attack... Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Waterford, MI, USA Posts: 1,107	It's not that easy. The drum brake spindles are very different than the disc brake spindles. Also the ball joints are different. You can use the same control arms, but your drum brake lower will affect your steering. It's also a little different. Sorry, but it's a little more complicated than you think. Best bet is to get a 71-72 whole front suspension and transfer it you your 67-70 frame.

03-21-2003, 07:55 PM	#6
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	All the guys have you pretty well covered on the parts. IMO, I would use the 67 arms, & grind the stops on the spindles as needed.....crazyL

03-21-2003, 08:59 PM	#8
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	its always good when you have all the parts! Dont sweat the crossmember.....I still have the stocker under my 69. The only diff in the crossmembers will be on brake hose brackets. Good luck,crazyL

03-23-2003, 01:41 AM	#9
jayssunm Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 98	67-72 disc suspension change I have already done a swap of the front suspension of my 67'. I changed to 71/72 spindles (rotors/calipers too) ball joints (believe update to 71/72) inner tie rod ends (definetly updated to 71/72) and inner tie rod ends (used 67). Unless you really enjoy spending lots of time under your truck I would just get some updated parts and keep your current crossmember and A-arms (even though I have read here that I should have changed out my A-arms for better turning radius. Just my 2 cents. If you want 71-72 spindles I have some. You pay for shipping. I just hate throwing away good old chevy parts.

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