![]() |
Register or Log In To remove these advertisements. |
|
|
![]() |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
![]() |
#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Parsons, KS
Posts: 652
|
A 73-87 Drop Spindle Questions
I found a set of drop spindles the other day, that a guy took off his truck.
![]() ![]() 3" drop, 1" rotors and he said they take the big bearings. What are the big bearings on these trucks? Are the 73-80 & 81-87 bearings different? If so which ones are the big bearings? All I knew was a real difference was the rotor thickness. Also, he said that they are Trailmaster brand. Anyone heard of these or have them, are they a good quality spindle? I didn't think I could beat the deal of $150 shipped.
__________________
74 GMC SWB Project "Sin-thia" Static Dropped 8"f/10"r http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=460030 ![]() 97 GMC reg cab short bed, 4.3V6 / 5spd, daily driver 220,000 miles, all stock for now Last edited by Conundrum; 02-25-2010 at 08:16 PM. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: louisville, Ky
Posts: 105
|
Re: A 73-87 Drop Spindle Questions
i think 73-87 are all the same but some trucks had the different size brakes which is the only thing that should matter with drop spindles i would think, may be wrong though
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 7,461
|
Re: A 73-87 Drop Spindle Questions
I haven't heard of trailmaster spindles. That and I have never seen a difference between spindles except for the 1" and 1-1/4" thickness like you stated. Sorry I couldn't be more help.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Salisbury, NC
Posts: 316
|
Re: A 73-87 Drop Spindle Questions
I am not sure of the difference but when I bought the new bearings for my new rotors when I put in the drop spindles they gave me the wrong bearings twice. We checked the numbers and they were for my truck but I had to take my old ones to compare and the computer at oreillys showed 4 different bearings for my truck. i also think the inner and outer are also different sizes.
I have heard of trailmaster suspension for 4x4 lift kits and work well. For $150 you can't beat it. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Parsons, KS
Posts: 652
|
Re: A 73-87 Drop Spindle Questions
Yeah, I figured that Trailmaster was probably more off a 4wd company.
Thanks for the input guys, so it may just be a trial an error type of deal on getting the right bearings. I got my rotors in with a trade for some wheels I got from a friend, they have been redrilled to a dodge 5x5.5 pattern top run the 20" steel ram spare wheels.
__________________
74 GMC SWB Project "Sin-thia" Static Dropped 8"f/10"r http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=460030 ![]() 97 GMC reg cab short bed, 4.3V6 / 5spd, daily driver 220,000 miles, all stock for now |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Eden Prairie, MN
Posts: 73
|
Re: A 73-87 Drop Spindle Questions
inner and outer are different and theres two different inners i think its hd and non hd brakes
__________________
1969 mercury cougar XR-7 - sold 1978 Chevy C-10 Scottsdale - sold 1996 chevy k1500 - sold 1970 mercury monterey - sold 1971 chevy c10 4 speed 4x4 - dd ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Happy to be here
![]() Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 39,023
|
Re: A 73-87 Drop Spindle Questions
You have any pics? I would love to see how that was done.
__________________
Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra" |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 | |
Insert Witty Text Here
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 3,415
|
Re: A 73-87 Drop Spindle Questions
Quote:
Slonaker |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Farmington, MN
Posts: 928
|
Re: A 73-87 Drop Spindle Questions
If they are lift spindles, I would grab them. There are a number of guys on this site that are trying to give their trucks a pre-runner look.
__________________
I can still count my vehicles on two... wait three hands. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Parsons, KS
Posts: 652
|
Re: A 73-87 Drop Spindle Questions
Quote:
I will get some pics up soon.
__________________
74 GMC SWB Project "Sin-thia" Static Dropped 8"f/10"r http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=460030 ![]() 97 GMC reg cab short bed, 4.3V6 / 5spd, daily driver 220,000 miles, all stock for now |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 |
I have car A.D.D.
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Greeley, Northern Colorado
Posts: 4,147
|
Re: A 73-87 Drop Spindle Questions
I too will be watching for the pics. I have thought about doing the same thing to mine.
__________________
-Gerald Building vehicles in memory of the first "car guy" I ever knew, my Grandpa. Bob Dunham 1935-2009. Rest in peace. 61 GMC Suburban SOLD The 86 build thread SOLD Are you a Colorado member?Click here. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#12 |
STILL PLAYS WITH TRUX
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Melbourne, Fla.
Posts: 2,764
|
![]()
Ok he told you correctly his truck was equiped with the HeavyDuty brakes option like mine is the brake rotor is thicker and the axle is also larger thats why the bearings are larger the brake caliper is also mounted a little bit lower on the spindle but to look at it you wont really see it so if you use them you may need to replace the brake lines as well cuz they will probably be too short to reach.
If they do mount up make sure you check that they will be able to streach when you steer from lock to lock if theres any tension get longer brake lines! Also if they are 3" drop spindles then expect to have rubbing issues with the wheel and LCA this is why you can only buy 2.5" lower spindles today. I have 3" BellTech spindles that i got in 1987 on mine and i had to cut the LCA lip to clear the wheel. BTW i have never heard of the Trailmaster brand either but thats not to say that is a bad thing, If he had 'em on his truck and had no problems then id say there ok. Good luck. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#13 |
67-72 parts collector,…
![]() Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Mid-MO
Posts: 22,696
|
Re: A 73-87 Drop Spindle Questions
The 73-87 trucks came with two different size rotors.
The 1.25" wide rotors are more common,... but around 1981 they offered a Light Duty version that was only a 1" wide rotor. I still haven't figured out which years came with what, for sure,... (my 1983 frame had 1.25" wide, my 1986 frame had 1" wide). Anyway,... one of the bearings is the same, one is different. (I think the outer bearing is diffferent) The calipers are also different. So depending on what the OP had on his truck originally,... he may have to change calipers to make the 1" rotor/drop spindle combo work. I just did this swap to 1" wide rotors recently.
__________________
Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#14 | ||
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Parsons, KS
Posts: 652
|
Re: A 73-87 Drop Spindle Questions
I don't know who did them, but I do know that he bought them off a board member a few months back.
![]() ![]() Quote:
I will be running 20" wheels so I don't see any problems with hittin the LCAs. ![]() Quote:
They are 1" rotors, and I plan to buy new if I don't already have a pair around.
__________________
74 GMC SWB Project "Sin-thia" Static Dropped 8"f/10"r http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=460030 ![]() 97 GMC reg cab short bed, 4.3V6 / 5spd, daily driver 220,000 miles, all stock for now |
||
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#15 |
Badass
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: lox. fl
Posts: 4,586
|
Re: A 73-87 Drop Spindle Questions
damnnn this is going to look good!!!!!!!! and i had no need to cut my lca with my 3in djm
__________________
Think outside the box? -84c10 (1stcar)→My Build← ![]() -00 Saturn 5spd drop a gear and disappear! 1/4:13:90 ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: PASADENA,TX
Posts: 206
|
Re: A 73-87 Drop Spindle Questions
I think 73-80 came with the 1.25 rotor and 81-87 came with the 1.0 rotor.when i ordered my spindles for my '74 i ordered for 1.25 rotor.I DIDN'T HAVE TO CUT MY LCA BUT I DID HAVE TO GRIND THE BRAKE CALIPER BRACKET A LITTLE AND BEND THE BRAKE LINE DOWN TOO.
Last edited by J_PEPIN87; 02-25-2010 at 08:46 PM. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#17 |
STILL PLAYS WITH TRUX
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Melbourne, Fla.
Posts: 2,764
|
![]()
Well the ones on my '87 were 1.25 and i bought my truck new soooooooo????who know's.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#19 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 7,461
|
Re: A 73-87 Drop Spindle Questions
Quote:
Last edited by JohnC; 02-26-2010 at 10:27 AM. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Parsons, KS
Posts: 652
|
Re: A 73-87 Drop Spindle Questions
So are the ball joints the same between the light duty and heavy duty option trucks?
__________________
74 GMC SWB Project "Sin-thia" Static Dropped 8"f/10"r http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=460030 ![]() 97 GMC reg cab short bed, 4.3V6 / 5spd, daily driver 220,000 miles, all stock for now |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#21 |
Happy to be here
![]() Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Cypress, TX
Posts: 39,023
|
Re: A 73-87 Drop Spindle Questions
What are you going to do in the rear? I have been playing with this idea for a while now. I knew you could redrill the front, just wasn't sure about the rear. I know you can have the axles drilled, but what about the drums?
__________________
Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra" |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Parsons, KS
Posts: 652
|
Re: A 73-87 Drop Spindle Questions
I don't know why you couldn't have the drums redrilled, I would think that a shop capable of redrilling the rotors could also do the drums.
But I got adapters for the rear with the wheels and rotors, haven't decided on wether or not i'm going to use them.
__________________
74 GMC SWB Project "Sin-thia" Static Dropped 8"f/10"r http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=460030 ![]() 97 GMC reg cab short bed, 4.3V6 / 5spd, daily driver 220,000 miles, all stock for now |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#23 |
STILL PLAYS WITH TRUX
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Melbourne, Fla.
Posts: 2,764
|
![]()
Yep, I ordered my truck with the "Towing package" that gives you the HD brakes and HD cooling system.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#24 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Parsons, KS
Posts: 652
|
Re: A 73-87 Drop Spindle Questions
Fedex dropped off the spindles today, they are definitely drop spindles.
Is there an easy way to tell if they are 2.5" or 3" drop?
__________________
74 GMC SWB Project "Sin-thia" Static Dropped 8"f/10"r http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=460030 ![]() 97 GMC reg cab short bed, 4.3V6 / 5spd, daily driver 220,000 miles, all stock for now |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Bookmarks |
|
|