73-87 spindles Vs. 67-72

[BHyatt]

I have a pair of 73-87, 2-1/2" drop spindles. I am wondering if I can use these on my 71. If I understand it correctly the primary difference is the ball joint. I could be wrong about this and know that someone here will be able to straighten me out on this. Thanks!

[jlaird]

you are correct. Just get the 73-87 ball joints and they will go right into your arms. This is a very common upgrade to get 5 lug discs.

[BHyatt]

Thanks jlaird! I bought these spindles today at the Super Sunday swapmeet in Indianapolis for $60.00 I just could not pass them up it was such a great deal as I was soon going to spend over $280 to acquire them real soon anyway. I had a guy tell me that there was no way they would work, but I was sure this had been referred to may times on this board. This place has been a tremendous reference so far for quality information and I have been really studying the suspension forum as that is the next step in my project.

Good information once again was more valuable than the almighty dollar!

[RunninLo]

the other advantage is that the 3" drop is only available in a 73-87 spindle. I found this out AFTER I had already bought my 2.5" spindles. It doesn't seem like much but for my goal I may have to shell aout the dough AGAIN for that half inch.
Josh

[lolife99]

The outer tierod is different on the 73-87 spindle compared to the 67-70 spindle. I'm not sure if the 71-72 outer tierod will work in the 73-87 spindle. You may have to use the 73-87 outer tierod. Can anyone else confirm this?

[RunninLo]

well since I have a PB dropmember it wouldn't affect me if the outer was different due to the way it works. I'm pretty sure 72 tie rod ends are similar to the 73+
Josh

[jlaird]

This is what you do for tie rods:

Get the adjusting sleeve from CCP which allows you to use 73-87 outer tie rods and 67-70 outer tie rod for use on at the inner tie rod.

[7T2]

If it doesn't work out for you, I would be interested in purchasing them. I need a pair but keep forgetting to look for them until I see a post like this.

[crazy longhorn]

Do your own R&D to be sure....Im damn sure that the taper is different on the outer tierod end from 71-72, to 73 on. If you have a 71-72, I dont think you will have probs with the tierod sleeve.....just swap the outer tierod end. The lower ball joint is the same 71-72, & 73 on on the 1/2 ton truck. the upper balljoint changed on the taper, as did the outer rod end....67-70 had different pcs....crazyL

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by BHyatt

I have a pair of 73-87, 2-1/2" drop spindles. I am wondering if I can use these on my 71. If I understand it correctly the primary difference is the ball joint. I could be wrong about this and know that someone here will be able to straighten me out on this. Thanks!

Make sure they're the HD spindle (1.25" thick rotor) vs. the LtD spindle (1.00" rotor) by looking up the p/n.

[BHyatt]

Thanks crazyL I think I will just go down to the parts store and compare the tie rod ends and determine what I will need to do on that front. I appreciate the information on the lower vs. upper ball joint.

[chevydog66]

I had to call CPP because I have a 72 and ordered the sleeves. Come to find out I didn't even need them. Call CPP, they know!!

[gunnersm8]

whoa whoa whoa

so,in order to usethe 73-87 spindle, and in turn the 73-87 brakes ball joints, oter suspension items, all that has to be done is buy that stuff and install? i thought you had to get the a arms and steering stuff to do this switch?

[jlaird]

Originally Posted by gunnersm8

whoa whoa whoa

so,in order to usethe 73-87 spindle, and in turn the 73-87 brakes ball joints, oter suspension items, all that has to be done is buy that stuff and install? i thought you had to get the a arms and steering stuff to do this switch?

nope, I did the switch with what I outlined above: balljoints, cpp sleeve, and tie rod ends. Simple to do.

[gringoloco]

Yep. Upper balljoints and outer tie rods and you're in there. You can even re-use your current brakes- if the spindles are the HD(1.25" rotor) version...

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by jlaird

nope, I did the switch with what I outlined above: balljoints, cpp sleeve, and tie rod ends. Simple to do.

The CPP sleeve should not be necessary on the 71-72 trucks...

[chevydog66]

Gringo is right. No sleeve needed on the 71 or 72 truck.

[jlaird]

Originally Posted by chevydog66

Gringo is right. No sleeve needed on the 71 or 72 truck.

cool, i have a 69 so didnt that. Thanks for clearing that up.

[chevydog66]

Take a look at the CPP website. There is a lot of good tech articles on there.

[pissonNOS]

is the same true for 6 lug wheels or are the rotors different?

[gunnersm8]

ok, so because i am inherently dumb, and was once incorrect-
to upgrade to 73-87 front suspension i can keep 69 aarms, and steering components, buy and install 73-87 drop spindles, buy and install 73-87 front end kit from whomever,install the sleeve from CPP, and 73-87 tie rod ends? and im good to go? man if thats the case, thats way better as i was looking for a 73-87 truck to steal the stuff from, but if i dont need to, thats even cheaper.

[gunnersm8]

and another stupid question. the aarm bushings. the 69 has steel bushings and late model has rubber or whatever, heres the question, im looking at buying the front end kit from PST or whereever, and of course im getting the 73-87 kit, can I use the new bushings on the old a arms? i presume i could just remove old ones, and press the new style in, but, im not sure.thanks guys

[PBFAB.COM]

The bushings are not interchangeable. If you want the later-model (73-87) bushings you must have the later-model (73-87) control arms as well.