FRONT SUSPENSION & DISK BRAKES - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

JPSAUTO · 07-08-2004, 05:42 PM

Bought a shorty frame from our BUDDY in Tex (texparts........ before I read the thread on him) anyway it has disk brakes and the control arms have the newer style (73up) bushings. Will the 69 control arms (drum brakes) work with the later spindle and what ball joints to use, 69 or 73up??? I GOT SCREWED TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Any help is greatly appreciated!!!!!!!!!

Harold Shepard · 07-08-2004, 05:53 PM

There Was An Article In One Of Golden State Pickup Parts Catalogs By Brian Mccormick About Spindle And Disk Brake Swap On Early Trucks. It Used '73 Dropped Spindles And Converted To 5 Lug Pattern, Must Use '73 Up Ball Joints And A Tie Rod For Same Year, But The Inner Tie Rod On These Trucks Got Moved To Outside And New Tie Rod Moved To Inside Along With A Special Tie Rod Sleeve/adjuster. Maybe This Has Been Done To Your Truck And If Done Right You Got A Good Set Up. All The Lowering Parts Available For '73 Up And The Cool Looks Of 67-72.

68w/sbc406 · 07-08-2004, 09:24 PM

from what i have gathered everything is interchangable aslong as you stick with the same year through the whole project

Blue68 · 07-09-2004, 02:05 PM

The lower ball joint press fit hole is the same size from 67 through about '87. The ball joints themselves are different. You MUST use the ball joint for the year spindle you are planning to use. So, if you are using '73 spindle, you must use a balljoint for that year, even if it is in your '69 control arms.

JPSAUTO · 07-10-2004, 05:28 PM

Thanks "blue", but what about the difference in the overall height between the 69 drum spindles and the later disk spindles, the disk spindle is about an inch taller, any alignment problems???

Blue68 · 07-11-2004, 01:09 PM

I think the ball joints are different lengths as well as the tapers being different. I think you also have to swap the upper ball joint as well as the lower, but you're auto parts supplier can tell you if the part numbers are different.

As for the alignment, there won't be a problem, although you will have to realign the truck when you are done.

**PICKMUP** · 07-11-2004, 05:01 PM

If I read this right, you want to run your 6-lug drum brakes and your chassis has 73+ spindles. Recommendation: Don't use the drum stuff. Go to 6-lug rotors and disc brakes. You are already most of the way there.

07-08-2004, 05:42 PM	#1
JPSAUTO Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Indiana Posts: 158	FRONT SUSPENSION & DISK BRAKES Bought a shorty frame from our BUDDY in Tex (texparts........ before I read the thread on him) anyway it has disk brakes and the control arms have the newer style (73up) bushings. Will the 69 control arms (drum brakes) work with the later spindle and what ball joints to use, 69 or 73up??? I GOT SCREWED TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Any help is greatly appreciated!!!!!!!!!

07-08-2004, 09:24 PM	#3
68w/sbc406 Got Light Emitting Diode? Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 2,485	from what i have gathered everything is interchangable aslong as you stick with the same year through the whole project __________________ 1968 1/2 ton 2wd lwb 6 lug disc and bags up front. Next c notch and rear bags '02 Chevy Silverado LT ext cab short bed 2WD 5/7 drop on 22's(the family car) 1993 Cherokee work ride/weekend wheeler

07-09-2004, 02:05 PM	#4
Blue68 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Frisco, Tx, USA Posts: 606	The lower ball joint press fit hole is the same size from 67 through about '87. The ball joints themselves are different. You MUST use the ball joint for the year spindle you are planning to use. So, if you are using '73 spindle, you must use a balljoint for that year, even if it is in your '69 control arms. __________________ http://home.comcast.net/~r.landrum/w...tos.html-.html '68 C-10 LWB, '98 Z-71 350 w/accessories (Serpentine), Edelbrock Performer, Edelbrock 1405 (600cfm) carb, GM HEI, CompCam Extreme 4x4 roller cam, Thorley Headers, Carter Electric Fuel Pump, Vintage Air, 700r4, 3.73, disc brakes and power steering upgrades.

07-11-2004, 01:09 PM	#6
Blue68 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Frisco, Tx, USA Posts: 606	I think the ball joints are different lengths as well as the tapers being different. I think you also have to swap the upper ball joint as well as the lower, but you're auto parts supplier can tell you if the part numbers are different. As for the alignment, there won't be a problem, although you will have to realign the truck when you are done. __________________ http://home.comcast.net/~r.landrum/w...tos.html-.html '68 C-10 LWB, '98 Z-71 350 w/accessories (Serpentine), Edelbrock Performer, Edelbrock 1405 (600cfm) carb, GM HEI, CompCam Extreme 4x4 roller cam, Thorley Headers, Carter Electric Fuel Pump, Vintage Air, 700r4, 3.73, disc brakes and power steering upgrades.

07-11-2004, 05:01 PM	#7
PICKMUP "Trucks with Class" Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: OLYMPIA, WA, USA Posts: 8,158	If I read this right, you want to run your 6-lug drum brakes and your chassis has 73+ spindles. Recommendation: Don't use the drum stuff. Go to 6-lug rotors and disc brakes. You are already most of the way there. __________________ Email: frankeham@comcast.net Phone: 360-956-7170

07-08-2004, 05:53 PM	#2
Harold Shepard Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Canton North Carolina Posts: 466	There Was An Article In One Of Golden State Pickup Parts Catalogs By Brian Mccormick About Spindle And Disk Brake Swap On Early Trucks. It Used '73 Dropped Spindles And Converted To 5 Lug Pattern, Must Use '73 Up Ball Joints And A Tie Rod For Same Year, But The Inner Tie Rod On These Trucks Got Moved To Outside And New Tie Rod Moved To Inside Along With A Special Tie Rod Sleeve/adjuster. Maybe This Has Been Done To Your Truck And If Done Right You Got A Good Set Up. All The Lowering Parts Available For '73 Up And The Cool Looks Of 67-72.

07-10-2004, 05:28 PM	#5
JPSAUTO Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Indiana Posts: 158	Thanks "blue", but what about the difference in the overall height between the 69 drum spindles and the later disk spindles, the disk spindle is about an inch taller, any alignment problems???



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