Converting back to 5 Lug

[19seventeeCustom]

Hey Guys,

Well I think I have decided that I will go ahead an convert my truck back over to a 5 lug (its 5x4.75 right now). The PO used front disc and spindles off of a 77 monte carlo and reemed out the spindle holes.

SOOOOO....Is it safe to assume that I would have to replace ball joints,spindles, and rotor? But reuse my caliper?. Im lookin to replace the parts with 73-87 truck parts, and i suppose I will have to buy the tie rod adaptor since that is still 70 model stuff?

thanks for any help guys.

[Zeke's Garage]

After all that work, I would think that just swapping out the entire cross-member for an 73-87 one would be a cheaper alternative. I picked one up for $300 that was complete with power steering box and all, and put it on my '70. WAY easier than you would think. And you won't have to worry about mixing and matching replacement parts down the road.

Good Luck!

[19seventeeCustom]

Thanks Alot,

That doesnt seem like to bad of a deal,, only thing holding me back from that Is that I have to also change wheels in doing so along with tires lol adds up quickly

[Jacfourteen]

X2 on the whole x-member swap.

[raycow]

I'm thinking the Monte Carlo brakes are the same as Chevelle/Malibu, and that would mean 11" rotors. Measure yours and you will know for sure. Stock truck rotors are 12", so I doubt that your calipers will work.

Btw, you do not have to do a crossmember swap to install stock truck discs. Just swap everything from the balljoints out.

Ray

[19seventeeCustom]

Thanks Raycow,

So I can swap BJ outward, so would that mean I would have to buy an adaptor to adapt my inner tierod link to the newer 73-87 outer tierod, and that would be it?

[raycow]

Yes, the aftermarket adaptor sleeve will take care of the tie rod thread size difference.

I saw another thread of yours where you were asking about drop spindles. Does this mean you will be using truck drop spindles now?

Ray

[19seventeeCustom]

Yes, I plan on purchasing the 73-87 drop spindles, also will change tie rods(upper, lower) and buy the adaptor sleeve and then I'll have to change wheels,,

I tell ya what,, this truck has been the biggest pain when it comes to suspension, everything else is great, just never know what ya got when you arent the one that built it.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by 19seventeeCustom

Yes, I plan on purchasing the 73-87 drop spindles, also will change tie rods(upper, lower)
(I think you mean, ball joints)
and buy the adaptor sleeve and then I'll have to change wheels,,

I tell ya what,, this truck has been the biggest pain when it comes to suspension, everything else is great, just never know what ya got when you arent the one that built it.

Just remember that the tie rod thread direction, changed after 1971.
You will need '70 outer tie rods in the "inner" location,... to connect to the 73-87 outer tie rods.

[19seventeeCustom]

thanks lolife, i did mean BJ.

Thanks for the tip,, So I can just use my outers i have now and put them in the inner section and then connect to adapter sleeve to the outer 73-87 pieces? correct

[19seventeeCustom]

one other thing, my rearend has been drilled from 6 lug to 5x4.75, How do i go about changing it over to 5x5? Is it as easy as drilling it out for 5 on 5?

[lolife99]

Do you even know if your outer tie rods are original '70 items?
I'd like to know how they installed your disc brakes.
Are the spindles from a '77 Monte Carlo?

If your outers are , in fact, '70 truck tie rods,... yes, move them to the inner location, install the tie rod adapters and thread on 73-87 outers.

If it was my truck,... and I had to BUY drop spindles,... I would just use 67-70 "conversion" drop spindles.
(www.PerformanceOnLine.com has all their 1/2-ton spindles for $228.00)

That way you can use all stock '70 parts.
(ball joints, and all the tie rods)

Since your rear axles have been welded up and redrilled already, you have two choices depending on which rearend you have.
1970 was a transision year for the rearend housings.
Some were narrow, (like the 67-69 housings), some were wider, (like the 71-72 housings).
If you have the narrow version, I would buy aftermarket axles.
If you have the wider version,... you can use 71-72 5-lug axles.
(I would probably buy new axles here as well. Yours are 40+ years old)
You can also swap in a complete 71-72 rearend.
(sometimes these can be found for $50-$100, used).

[19seventeeCustom]

Yes lolife I believe all the items on the front suspension are '70 model. Except for the spindle,rotor,caliper.

Basically all they did was install the spindle, rotor and caliper front a 77 monte carlo by reeming out the holes in the spindle to accept '70 ball joint sizes as well as 70 tie rod sizes.

So as far as the conversion spindles, what all parts would I need to use to adapt these to my truck? (spindle,rotor,bearings,caliper??? or?)

the rear end is the least of my worries, sorry for all the questions this old iron is all new to me.

thank you very much
aaron

[lolife99]

Aaron,...
buy the conversion spindles.
They all accept the 1-1/4" 71-87 rotors.
The bearings and calipers have to be for the same (1-1/4") width rotors.
I would purchase 73-78 calipers so they willl have the 7/16" thread and not the later 10mm metric thread, for the banjo bolt that holds the rubber brake hose on..
I always use dust shields behind the rotors, some leave them off.

If your balljoints and outer tie rods are in good shape,... you should be set.
Get a front end alignment when you are done.

[19seventeeCustom]

thanks alot lolife,, youve been a bunch of help so far.

[lolife99]

And now,... we need current pics and progress pics of your truck!
You know we all like pics,...

[19seventeeCustom]

sure thing, I know how you guys love pics. Soon as I get home from work I'll throw some pics up.

What is the easiest way to post em?

[lolife99]

Also,... when the previous owner swapped your truck to disc brakes,... what master cylinder and proportioning valve did they use?

[jwgeorge]

OK, Here is my two cents and that's probably all it's worth. I swapped out the front spindles-outward on my 70 GMC with spindles-outward from a 1974 Chevy half-ton. I used the spindles rotors, etc and the proportioning valve (it had the power booster already) from the 74. The drum proportioning valve will work, but does not take full advantage of the disc brakes. I did this back in 1987 and I don't remember having any problems other that the lower ball joint stud not sticking out the spindle enough to get the cotter pin in, so check your ball joints. I was 20 years old and didn't care about any stinkin' cotter pins!

[atgilford]

im not sure what set up u currently have but a 72 disc brake set up is a lot cheaper and easier to find even a chevy van would work , if u currently have 6 lug disc u could go to cpp and buy rotors for a little of nothing good luck

[19seventeeCustom]

thanks for the replys guys, atgilford, I currently have 5 lug disc on the truck now.

I still havnt decided what im going to do just yet.

[19seventeeCustom]

anybody know the best place to buy the 73-78 or 73-87 calipers?

junkyard is suppose?

[lolife99]

Buy them new.
(at your local auto parts store)
I would buy new rubber hoses also.
Don't waste your time with junkyard stuff.
This is your brakes we are talking about.

[19seventeeCustom]

brakes who need brakes......lol

thank ya keith

I think I have decided on conversion spindles.
Here is the parts list:

Spindles
73-78 calipers
73-87 1 1/4" rotors
Brake Pads
Inner, Outer bearings
New Brake hoses

That should be all i suppose???