Suspension question

[Daniel 61 Apache]

I have a front clip out of a 85 2wd truck. It has 8 lug rotors. I need 5 lug.

In order to change it to 5 lug what would be needed? I am already planning on purchasing drop spindles, rotors, and calipers so the models of those can vary. What I want to know is:

Question #1 : Will the 5 lug 1/2 ton drop spindles work on the 8 lug ball joints?

Question #2 : If no to #1, then does anyone have any advice to change from the 8 lugger to 5?

Daniel

[Daniel 61 Apache]

bump for any help

[gchemist]

I don't think ball joints are different between a 1/2 and 3/4 ton. Cross reference them at the parts store.

[72 CustomCamper]

Originally Posted by gchemist

I don't think ball joints are different between a 1/2 and 3/4 ton. Cross reference them at the parts store.

The ball joints are different...


Chuck

[Daniel 61 Apache]

Originally Posted by gchemist

I don't think ball joints are different between a 1/2 and 3/4 ton. Cross reference them at the parts store.

Originally Posted by 72 CustomCamper

The ball joints are different...


Chuck

First off, thank you very much for the reply. I searched forever and couldn't find anything.

Ok. Ball joints are different.

Can I then just buy 1/2 ton ball joints and trash the 3/4 ton ones?

Thanks again for the help.

[72 CustomCamper]

I'm not 100% sure, but I think you can install the 1/2 ton ball joints into the 3/4 ton control arms. If not you'll have to change the control arms to 1/2 ton too...


Chuck

[joe231]

I don't think you can use the lower arms, believe the hole for the 3/4 ton ball joint is bigger, but you should be able to just swap upper ball joints and use the 1/2 ton lowers......

[kelgar50]

Im planning the same thing to my 3/4 ton.This company sells a 2 1/2" drop spindle that uses the 3/4ton upper and lower ball joints as well as the steering tie rods and they sell for less than $300. They use the heavy half ton 1.25" rotors and your stock calipers.

C-20 ¾ to ½ Ton Conversion 2½" Drop Spindles
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http://www.earlyclassic.com/catalog.aspx

[Daniel 61 Apache]

Originally Posted by kelgar50

Im planning the same thing to my 3/4 ton.This company sells a 2 1/2" drop spindle that uses the 3/4ton upper and lower ball joints as well as the steering tie rods and they sell for less than $300. They use the heavy half ton 1.25" rotors and your stock calipers.

http://www.earlyclassic.com/catalog.aspx

kelgar50.....You are the F'n man!! I was looking at control arms and feeling so depressed about forking out another $400 bucks....Thanks a million!!