67-72 spindles

[srziemkowski]

I was recently on vacation to pick up my kids from michigan cuz they go up to visit grandparents for the summer and to pick up a drum spindle as well as go to the woodward dream cruise,anyways the guy i got the spindle from has like 300 cars and trucks from over the years as a tow truck driver and its like a maze through the woods on homemade truckwide trails with the cars and trucks in random openings on the left and right.what a find my brother found except no 60-66 bodies.finally to the question,he has a few 67-72 trucks back there and has a set of 71 spindle to rotors sitting already pulled off,calipers and everything,will these direct fit to our trucks or does any tie rods or anything need changing?

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by srziemkowski

finally to the question,he has a few 67-72 trucks back there and has a set of 71 spindle to rotors sitting already pulled off,calipers and everything,will these direct fit to our trucks or does any tie rods or anything need changing?

They will bolt directly on a 71 or 72 truck.
To put them on a 60-70 drum brake truck,... you will have to change both the upper and lower ball joints,... and the outer tie rods at a minimum.

[Clyde65]

yes. I would replace all wear parts when you put the spindles on.

Opps, your right, upper/lower ball joints are needed.

[srziemkowski]

I thought i saw somewhere that to put 73-87 spindles on you must use the 73-87 bj and tie rods,but thought maybe it was a direct bolt on,might still get them if he doesnt want to much.

[lolife99]

What year truck are you wanting to install the 71 spindles on?
You will need to replace your current ball joints and outer tie rods with the 71-72 version.
Ball joints and outer tie rods have to match the spindle.

73-87 stuff is different yet.

[srziemkowski]

Going onto a 66 c10

[srziemkowski]

So then if thats the case,the tie rod will fit the sleeve directly,as well as same mounting holes for bj's?

[lolife99]

Same mounting holes for the ball joints.
You have to use a "conversion" tie rod sleeves.
Your 66 inner tie rods are 5/8" diameter.
The 71 tie rods are 11/16" diameter.

So much easier to just use new conversion spindles.
They require no changes.

The days of swapping oem 71-72 spindles or 73-87 spindles are over.
(or should be)
It's cheaper to just buy new spindles that bolt on with NO modifications.

[lolife99]

Have you read this?
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...57&postcount=3

[kpc01]

I'm in the same boat, except I have access to a FREE front clip off a 72 with spindles and all. I'm thinking as soon as I can figure out how I want to do the axles to get 5 lug I'll do the swap. Let us know what you end up doing on it.

[Clyde65]

I disagree with the "cheaper to get new theory", if he has the front clip, replacing the worn parts and not buying $2-300 spindles to me would be cheaper. if your going to drop the front, then yes, go ahead and get the new drop spindles. I have a 72 front susp on my 65, have had it for over 15years, didnt cost me anything but some time to bolt it up. this was the most reasonable option for me since I got everything for free and only had to spend time.

[srziemkowski]

The bad thing about my front suspension also is i think it has some kind of drop on it already,i have brand new cpp lowering springs but afraid to put them on with drop spindles and be to much or put them on stock spindles and not be down enough,im leaning toward drop spindles and risk it.

[kpc01]

Originally Posted by Clyde65

I disagree with the "cheaper to get new theory", if he has the front clip, replacing the worn parts and not buying $2-300 spindles to me would be cheaper. if your going to drop the front, then yes, go ahead and get the new drop spindles. I have a 72 front susp on my 65, have had it for over 15years, didnt cost me anything but some time to bolt it up. this was the most reasonable option for me since I got everything for free and only had to spend time.

Clyde,

whats the benefit of doing the whole setup from the 72 vs. just the disc brake setup? I do plan on putting air bags on it long term but didn't know if there was an advantage over the other.

[Clyde65]

The only difference to me is cost. it is really up to the individual as to what they want and what they can afford. If you can afford to do the aftermarket, then go for it.

here is the $ deal.

1 71/72 disc brakes ( or 73-87) if you have it already $0
Drop spindles are around $230.

2. aftermarket disc brakes, can be over $1k.

http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...SWBK-55213.htm

can you get them cheaper? probably, I dont know.

NOTE***** If you dont have the 71/72 front end, 73-87 is better because the a-arm shafts are rebuildable and stronger than the 71/72. also there are parts readily available for them anywhere and 71/72 might not be that way.

[kpc01]

thanks for the info. theres a whole clip withe the a arms all the way to the brake pads ready for my taking. I think I'll end up using tubular a-arms for the air bags anyways. My current plan is to just take off whats needed to get my truck to disc brakes....just wondering if there was any advantage to use the rest of the stuff off the 72. I already have PS so that wouldn't do me any good.

thanks for the input

[srziemkowski]

I may just look for the whole crossmember assy for a 73-87 and rebuid/paint and install that. Thank you for the suggestions

[srziemkowski]

Idk lol now i have myself wondering,maybe just get the parts all together,early classic spindles,then gather the rest of the rotors and whatnot from the parts store when money allows me to.

[lolife99]

If you have the entire front suspension,... that is slightly different.
The OP said he had spindles and rotors.
If you can use the entire steering assembly from a 73-87 or 71-72 you will save some money.
The conversion tie rod sleeves are $50 a pair.

I'll go back to what I always say.
How much of this used front end are you going to be using?
-oem spindles? yes,... if you don't plan on using drop spindles.
-dust shields
-centerlink
-maybe turn the used rotors? (this will save a few bucks)

All other parts should be replaced.
Rotors, calipers, bearings, brake hoses, ball joints, tie rod ends, idle arm and pitman arm,... should be replaced.
(a-arm cross shaft bushings also)

[Clyde65]

I do agree with what Keith just said, if your doing all that work, rebuild what is designed to wear and when your finished, the truck will drive like new.

I did the complete rebuild on my truck last year and it drives like a new truck. new everything except spindles, even powder coated the upper and lowers.