Front end possibilities? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

5150 · 02-28-2005, 11:29 PM

I have a 70 stepside, but it has disc front brakes. I'm going to replace a lot of the front end parts when I do my 4/6 drop. I wanting to know what application to look at when I look for parts. I've been looking at 71-72 ball joints, tie rod ends, etc. I don't know what else the front end could be off of. I contacted the last 2 PO's and they didn't know what the front end came from.

I'd appreciate the help

Longhorn Man · 02-28-2005, 11:42 PM

it could be anything from 71 up to 87!
If you can post pics of the rotor and the caliper...and maybe the A-arms.,...some one might be able to set you in the right direction.

farside847 · 03-01-2005, 12:53 AM

Hell, it might not even be chevy. Ive heard of some frankenstein front ends put together from ford and dodge parts.

5150 · 03-22-2005, 04:52 PM

I went to see my truck and took these pics today I don't know if you guys can help me determine a little better now or what?

5150 · 03-22-2005, 08:56 PM

ttt

4tiresngas · 03-22-2005, 10:42 PM

Okay, I'm definitely not an expert, but I'm going through this same issue with my 69. I spoke with someone at Early Classics Eterprises. He explained that if you measure the opening on the spindle where the tierod connects and it is 5/8" it is a 71 or 72. I think he said 73 and up are 3/4"...don't quote me.

5150 · 03-23-2005, 02:40 AM

Can anybodyelse back this theory up? I'm wanting to go ahead and by my front end parts before the 4 inch drop while my wife is in a giving mood.

Tx Firefighter · 03-23-2005, 08:52 AM

You have a bastard front end.

The disc brakes, control arms, etc, are obviously GM truck. Your crossmember is original drum brake truck unit. The way to tell is that your brake hoses come off the calipers and go to the backside of the crossmember. Factory disc brake crossmembers had the brake hoses routed to the front side.

That's a sure sign someone has updated the brakes and left the original crossmember.

If you have screw in metal control arm bushings, it's a 71-72.
If you have rubber control arm bushings, it's 73 and newer.

Suicide-D · 03-23-2005, 08:55 AM

Judging from the brake hose banjo fitting...looks like a 71 to me.

5150 · 03-23-2005, 08:21 PM

So if I wanted to by both ball joints and outer tie rod ends what would you guys recommend I get them for?

Or am I going to have to wait till I get the truck back and pull everything off of it and bring it to the parts store to match.

Tx Firefighter · 03-23-2005, 08:44 PM

Here's what I would do myself.

71-72 and 73 and newer tie rod ends use different threads and adjuster sleeves. I'd buy whatever fits my current adjuster sleeves.

I'd remove the old outer tie rod end and take it to the parts store. Find out if it matches up to a 71-2 or 73 and newer tie rod end. Then buy my stuff for that year. You're buying drop spindles and ball joints anyway. All balljoints interchange in the control arms. If you buy 4 new ball joint and a set of dropped spindles anyway, it doesn't really matter. But, if you can use the proper tie rod ends, you save the added expense of fooling with new adjuster sleeves and all of the center steering linkage stuff.

5150 · 03-24-2005, 12:57 AM

Yes, I've already bought McGauhey's 2 1/2 drop spindles. I'll just wait and take the tie rod end off and bring it to the parts store.

thanks Kevin

02-28-2005, 11:29 PM	#1
5150 C10 Club Tennessee Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: White House, TN 37188 Posts: 8,281	Front end possibilities? I have a 70 stepside, but it has disc front brakes. I'm going to replace a lot of the front end parts when I do my 4/6 drop. I wanting to know what application to look at when I look for parts. I've been looking at 71-72 ball joints, tie rod ends, etc. I don't know what else the front end could be off of. I contacted the last 2 PO's and they didn't know what the front end came from. I'd appreciate the help __________________ Bryan www.gmtruckshow.com Project "Andes"-Halen's First Truck Project: Patina Burb for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Romans 13:4

03-01-2005, 12:53 AM	#3
farside847 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 995	Hell, it might not even be chevy. Ive heard of some frankenstein front ends put together from ford and dodge parts. __________________ 1971 Chevy C10 Shortbed Stepside, 307v8 3-on-the-tree

03-22-2005, 04:52 PM	#4
5150 C10 Club Tennessee Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: White House, TN 37188 Posts: 8,281	I went to see my truck and took these pics today I don't know if you guys can help me determine a little better now or what? Attached Images __________________ Bryan www.gmtruckshow.com Project "Andes"-Halen's First Truck Project: Patina Burb for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Romans 13:4

03-22-2005, 08:56 PM	#5
5150 C10 Club Tennessee Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: White House, TN 37188 Posts: 8,281	ttt __________________ Bryan www.gmtruckshow.com Project "Andes"-Halen's First Truck Project: Patina Burb for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Romans 13:4

03-22-2005, 10:42 PM	#6
4tiresngas An American Soldier Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Grumolo D' Abadessee, Italy Posts: 503	Okay, I'm definitely not an expert, but I'm going through this same issue with my 69. I spoke with someone at Early Classics Eterprises. He explained that if you measure the opening on the spindle where the tierod connects and it is 5/8" it is a 71 or 72. I think he said 73 and up are 3/4"...don't quote me. __________________ Dan dan.brue@us.army.mil

02-28-2005, 11:42 PM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	it could be anything from 71 up to 87! If you can post pics of the rotor and the caliper...and maybe the A-arms.,...some one might be able to set you in the right direction.

03-23-2005, 02:40 AM	#7
5150 C10 Club Tennessee Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: White House, TN 37188 Posts: 8,281	Can anybodyelse back this theory up? I'm wanting to go ahead and by my front end parts before the 4 inch drop while my wife is in a giving mood. __________________ Bryan www.gmtruckshow.com Project "Andes"-Halen's First Truck Project: Patina Burb for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Romans 13:4

03-23-2005, 08:52 AM	#8
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	You have a bastard front end. The disc brakes, control arms, etc, are obviously GM truck. Your crossmember is original drum brake truck unit. The way to tell is that your brake hoses come off the calipers and go to the backside of the crossmember. Factory disc brake crossmembers had the brake hoses routed to the front side. That's a sure sign someone has updated the brakes and left the original crossmember. If you have screw in metal control arm bushings, it's a 71-72. If you have rubber control arm bushings, it's 73 and newer. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

03-23-2005, 08:55 AM	#9
Suicide-D Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Katy, TX...but the love of my life resides in Dublin,OH. Posts: 1,408	Judging from the brake hose banjo fitting...looks like a 71 to me.

03-23-2005, 08:21 PM	#10
5150 C10 Club Tennessee Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: White House, TN 37188 Posts: 8,281	So if I wanted to by both ball joints and outer tie rod ends what would you guys recommend I get them for? Or am I going to have to wait till I get the truck back and pull everything off of it and bring it to the parts store to match. __________________ Bryan www.gmtruckshow.com Project "Andes"-Halen's First Truck Project: Patina Burb for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Romans 13:4

03-23-2005, 08:44 PM	#11
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Here's what I would do myself. 71-72 and 73 and newer tie rod ends use different threads and adjuster sleeves. I'd buy whatever fits my current adjuster sleeves. I'd remove the old outer tie rod end and take it to the parts store. Find out if it matches up to a 71-2 or 73 and newer tie rod end. Then buy my stuff for that year. You're buying drop spindles and ball joints anyway. All balljoints interchange in the control arms. If you buy 4 new ball joint and a set of dropped spindles anyway, it doesn't really matter. But, if you can use the proper tie rod ends, you save the added expense of fooling with new adjuster sleeves and all of the center steering linkage stuff. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

03-24-2005, 12:57 AM	#12
5150 C10 Club Tennessee Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: White House, TN 37188 Posts: 8,281	Yes, I've already bought McGauhey's 2 1/2 drop spindles. I'll just wait and take the tie rod end off and bring it to the parts store. thanks Kevin __________________ Bryan www.gmtruckshow.com Project "Andes"-Halen's First Truck Project: Patina Burb for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Romans 13:4



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