Confused on brakes for Western Chassis drop spindles

[jjlett69]

Have a question(s) that probably has been addressed a million times and I have searched and read old posts but still confused.
I have Western 67-70 2.5 drop spindles on my 69 C10 with 15" wheels, and the only reason I know this is that I am currently running 69 tie rods. (ordered new and measured against old ones). I currently have 1" rotors 5 on 5 bolt pattern (measured them) with 73-87 calipers (PN GM 5474177/5474176). I am currently replacing rotors and calipers but would like to go with the 1.25" rotor and caliper. Can I order bearings/rotors and calipers for a 73-87 truck and will they work with my spindles? Or do I have to stay with 1" rotors and calipers from lets say a 81-87 V6 truck? Basically is the only difference between the years of spindles the tie rod hole size taper? Thank you all for your time and wisdom!

[lolife99]

Your conversion spindles should be using the 1.25" HD rotors calipers and bearings.
I've never heard of anyone bolting on s set of 1" light duty rotors.

[lolife99]

Can you post some pics of your current spindles and a-arms?

[jjlett69]

I know, everything I read also says the same, however I have put around 6000 miles on current brake set up and worked like a champ. I calipered the rotors and they read just under 1" and aren't worn very much. Have to wait to get home for pics.

[lolife99]

Please post some pics if you can.

[jjlett69]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Please post some pics if you can.

Will do! thanks again!

[Kennuck]

I'm running '70 Western Chassis 2.5 drop spindles with 73-87 HD rotors no issues.

[jjlett69]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Please post some pics if you can.

Here you go lowlife, and thanks Kennuck that helps

[Ruscal]

I have run 2 versions of Western drop spindles. The first was earlier style rod ends (67?) type. The second fits later rod ends. They fit my Hotchkis steering links. Both of them fit GM metric calipers that use a 1 1/4" wide rotor.
Russ

[jjlett69]

by the way i know everyone like pics and i should start a build thread, but this is what i have been doing in the last 3 weeks, little garage resto

[jjlett69]

more for the hell of it, cause everyone likes pics....

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by jjlett69

Here you go lowlife, and thanks Kennuck that helps

Still stumped.
The conversion spindles are only suppose to work with the 1.25" rotors.
I say buy some HD rotors and bearings and see if they fit your spindles.
If they don't,... You have 73-87 light duty spindles.
Good luck.

The HD rotors use an A5 inner bearing.
The light duty rotors us an A6 inner bearing.
Both versions take an A3 outer bearing.

[jjlett69]

Thanks for the insight everyone, i agree with Keith, ill go ahead and order 1.25 rotors and calipers and give it a try. Either they wont go on, or they will be too loose then i guess ill have to stay with the 1" rotors. Would be nice if there was some kind of casting or part number on the Spindles, so i would know for sure.... Good info on the bearings too, i appreciate it!

[PuttPutt70]

so for them calipers u have pictured above 5474176/5474177 are exactly the same calipers they gave me for my 71 c30 c&c. ive beent to napa oreilleys parts america autozone and they say they dont got the hose in system. ive asked them all if they can cross reference or something maybe from mid 70s or something. ive searched on here and got no where. tried ebay vendors and nothing. 2 front brake hoses is whats keeping me from driving truck. any help or p/n or retailor who carries would be wonderful. This site has a ton of knowledgeable people I have solved other problems on my other 2 trucks from post on here. TIA.

[Palf70Step]

I had a truck in past that used the drop spindles for 1" rotors. Most folks I know when doing the drop spindles use the 1.25" (HD) style spindle. The person that did the one truck went economical "cheap" because he had all new 1" stuff and truck was only a 6 banger. Not sure what exactly is different, but I remember something about spindle thickness being different and stuff won't interchange.

[michael bustamante]

Originally Posted by jjlett69

more for the hell of it, cause everyone likes pics....

I dont know why we love tearing apart our trucks.... lol any excuse!!
looks good man,,,,, I use 1.25 set up on my 71-72 drop spindles as well

[michael bustamante]

Originally Posted by PuttPutt70

so for them calipers u have pictured above 5474176/5474177 are exactly the same calipers they gave me for my 71 c30 c&c. ive beent to napa oreilleys parts america autozone and they say they dont got the hose in system. ive asked them all if they can cross reference or something maybe from mid 70s or something. ive searched on here and got no where. tried ebay vendors and nothing. 2 front brake hoses is whats keeping me from driving truck. any help or p/n or retailor who carries would be wonderful. This site has a ton of knowledgeable people I have solved other problems on my other 2 trucks from post on here. TIA.

I use the same calipers as well. i had to take my old hoses to PECO and have them make me new hoses,, i also aded another inch to avoid binding on full turns with a lowered truck.... just in case

[PuttPutt70]

Thank u for the reply gonna look for a shop to make me some a lilttle longer as u say! Appreciate the help