Front Drum to Disk subject and have a Tie Rod prob/question...??

[tripleblack]

I have recently ordered a 2/4 drop kit (coils/shocks) from early classics. I bought some used original front disk spindles from a fiend on the board (btw thanks BigMike) and went along with the conversion. I went to my local auto parts store back and forth and cannot seem to find what year/model inner and outer tie Rods to use. Obviously the outer tie rods must be compatible with the spindle so i first tried the 71-72 gmc disk brake inner and outer tie rods to start, and the outers fit fine, but as a whole (inners and outers connected) they wont reach the steering bar (i think it is called the center link). I have power steering. My truck was an original 69 GMC with front drum brakes. Should i or do i have to replace my steering bar (center link or the bar that the inner tie rods connect to on either side) form my 69 drum brake GMC to an 71/72 front disk?? If anyone has any insight or has done the conversion before i would greatly appreciate the help. Thanks.

[beaterC10]

You can use a 71-72 center link or purchase a conversion tie rod end from one of the 67-72 vendors. I did a this swap on a 63 a few years back, I used the idler arm, spindles, and center link from a 71/72. The problem I had was the difference in thread and taper sizes on the different year parts.

[Jim_PA]

I think the easiest way to do this is to either make or buy your own adapter sleeves to join the inner and outter tie rods together. That's essentially the problem you run into...

Supposedly there is a magical combination of tie rods and sleeves that you can buy off the shelf of any parts store, and make it work, but I've tried that method, and the inner TRE's I was told to use didn't fit the steering bar holes.

[tripleblack]

BeaterC10, Thanks for the info. that is exactly what i need, an adapter piece or something like it from a vendor. I kind of want to use changing the center link as a last resort because i dont know where to get one and i dont feel like going through the trouble of swapping it out.

Jim, I know exactly what you are saying. That adjustment sleave that joins the two tie rods together cannot be used for both models, drum and disk, because the width of the tie rods themselves ( 71/72 is much thicker) wont match. Any suggestions on how to modify? should i buy both year sleaves and cut them down the center and weld the two pieces together?

thank you both for the help.

[longhorn72]

If you decide to do the cut two apart to make one thing I would like make a sugestion. slide the two halfs inside of a larger diameter tube and weld them together this way. This will give you more weldable surface and be much stronger. I dont know that you wouldn't have done this on your own its just that I have seen someone who did a very poor job of this same conversion end up wrecking his truck becouse his one weld in the center broke while driving. Good luck to you whatever your decision.

[Jim_PA]

Originally Posted by tripleblack

Jim, I know exactly what you are saying. That adjustment sleave that joins the two tie rods together cannot be used for both models, drum and disk, because the width of the tie rods themselves ( 71/72 is much thicker) wont match. Any suggestions on how to modify? should i buy both year sleaves and cut them down the center and weld the two pieces together?

thank you both for the help.

I am pretty sure this is what you need, or make your own:

http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...uck/CP4SCS.htm

this way, you can just get 71-72 outer TRE's, and use the 67-70 inner TRE's, and join them together with an adapter sleeve.

I would call them to make sure it'll work, but I think 11/16 and 5/8 are thread sizes we are dealing with between the 2.

[bigjimzlll]

This is how I fixed it...welded the two together. I have this set available also.

[tripleblack]

Everybody, Excellent advice. Jim, thanks for the link, that is exactly what i need and i would have never found it online. Longhorn, that advice about adding another metal tube to weld both sides to is so simple but genius.I actually was thinking myself what exactly would happen if the weld broke (which some people claim cannot happen but i have seen it with my own eyes)??? the result probably would not be preatty for me or my truck. Jimz, thanks for the pic of yours, that also helps. Anyways, once again the board has helped another member get his truck back on the road. I will pass on the good word.

[04 orange]

I too have the same problem. I have 72 drop spindles and a 68 center link setup. Im going to try and ream the center link bar out so it will accept the 72 tie rods and they look like they will be long enough. Has any body tryed this.