Front End Update

[coop34]

I need to rebuild the entire front end on my 70 C10. Would it be advantageous or possible to use parts from a later model truck?

[VA72C10]

If you find a 73-87 front end it'll bolt up with minimal mods and give you 5 lug disc brakes....and see if you can grab the power steering gearbox/setup if it has it also because the boxes have better response...

Will have to get a rear to match the 5 lug but the 5 lug opens up your wheel options...

[oldblue1968chevy]

73+ would be cheapest. Try'n grab a swaybar/brackets too 37 or 1 ton is thicker=better

[coop34]

I should have been more specific. I already have 5 lug from an unknown donor, and was wondering if the steering parts from later years are interchangeable and/or better? I guess I should start with figuring out what front end I have. Can anyone tell from the pics?

[coop34]

For the Sat. crowd... Can someone help identify my front end? Thanks.

[OJ1988]

Looks like 73-87 parts to me.

[Clyde65]

The sway bar attachment looks like 71/72 to me. but I am no expert.

[Ironangel]

Originally Posted by Clyde65

The sway bar attachment looks like 71/72 to me. but I am no expert.

+1, I'm with Clyde...Heres some pics of my 72...The first photo is with stock spindles and the "socket & bolt tool" used to remove the ball joints. The lower pics are with 2-1/2" drop spindles...

[coop34]

So I've got a vote for 73-87 and two for 71-72. 73-87 parts are not interchangeable with 71-72 right?

Are there identifying #'s somewhere that I could look up? I know when I went looking for new calipers, they had metric fittings, which makes me think it's later in the 73-87 range. But, maybe later model calipers were bolted onto a 71-72 disc setup?

Hopefully someone will be able to help. I don't want to order the wrong parts.

[coop34]

Maybe the Sunday crowd can help me identify my front end?

[OJ1988]

After looking at my parts, I agree with the others. More likely 71-72.
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[coop34]

This is driving me nuts! I really want to order my front end parts, but have no idea what year to buy. Maybe with a little more information, we can figure out what this spindle is......

I pulled a # off of the outer tie rod... TR350L. Moog's # for a 70 C10 is ES350L. So I'm thinking that everything but the spindle/rotors are from a 70 C10. But, if it's a 73-87, the outer tie rods wouldn't fit right?

Here's some additional information that I pulled from the rotors that might be useful... 5X5 bolt pattern, 1.25" rotors, 11" in diamater. The following numbers are stamped on the rotor/hub assembly... "3983996" , "F279" , "L215". I don't know if these mean anything or not. A google search did nothing for me.

Also, the engine that was in the truck when I bought it was a 305 out of a 76-79 car. Is it possible, that the donor vehicle also donated the spindle/rotors?

Any help here would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[wilbilt]

73-87 1/2 ton used rubber upper and lower control arm bushings instead of metal, if that helps.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by wilbilt

73-87 1/2 ton used rubber upper and lower control arm bushings instead of metal, if that helps.

X2
The upper ball joints are factory, so I would guess 71-72.
The only way to know for sure,... is to figure out what balljoints and outer tie rods fit.
Take the spindle off and haul it to the parts store.

Also,... those are not 73-87 a-arms.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by coop34

But, if it's a 73-87, the outer tie rods wouldn't fit right?Here's some additional information that I pulled from the rotors that might be useful... 5X5 bolt pattern, 1.25" rotors, 11" in diamater. The following numbers are stamped on the rotor/hub assembly... "3983996" , "F279" , "L215". I don't know if these mean anything or not. A google search did nothing for me.

The outer tie rods are broke down like this:
67-70
71-72
73-87

1.25" 5x5 rotors came on all 71-72 trucks and some 73-87 trucks with HD rotors.
(some 73-87 trucks had the Light Duty 1" rotors)

[Shyguy]

I agree, take some parts down to your local parts store and compare them to what they have.

Most local stores carry parts for these trucks. When I worked at O'Rielly's I would order parts for people so they could compare/buy them at now cost and usually it only took one day to get them if they were ordered during the week before 5 pm.

[coop34]

Is it physically possible to mount a 73-87 spindle to 70 control arms and tie rods? I know it's not correct, but would 70 ball joints/tie rods physically fit into a 73-87 spindle? (I'm not planning on doing this, just trying to figure out if it is a possibility that this is what the P.O. may have done) Everything on the front end except for the spindle/rotor looks like it's from a 70.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by coop34

Is it physically possible to mount a 73-87 spindle to 70 control arms and tie rods? I know it's not correct, but would 70 ball joints/tie rods physically fit into a 73-87 spindle? (I'm not planning on doing this, just trying to figure out if it is a possibility that this is what the P.O. may have done) Everything on the front end except for the spindle/rotor looks like it's from a 70.

No.
Upper Ball joint break down:
67-70
71-72
73-87

Lower Ball joint break down:
67-70
71-87

However,... they do make direct fit drop spindles that will allow disc brakes to be added to your 70 ball joints and tie rods.

Until you find out what ball joints and outer tie rods you have,... it will be hard to buy parts.

[coop34]

Thanks lolife. You never know what this P.O. may have done. It's been a nightmare cleaning up all the crap he did.

I'm almost positive that the outer tie rod is from a 70. In that case, besides a drop spindle, are there any other spindles that 70 parts would bolt to?

I know I could probably figure this all out by taking the parts down to the parts store, but I'm trying to avoid that since my local store is about double the cost of online, and I can't have my truck torn apart for a week waiting on parts.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by coop34

I'm almost positive that the outer tie rod is from a 70. In that case, besides a drop spindle, are there any other spindles that 70 parts would bolt to?

They make direct fit standard spindles also,... BUT those are drop spindles in your pictures.

[coop34]

I think you solved my problem lolife. Thanks a ton! I wasn't even thinking that I had drop spindles. They must be direct fit spindles as everything else appears to be from a 70 C-10. Now I'm off to Rock Auto to spend some $'s!

[lolife99]

The first picture is yours.
See how far up the center of the spindle the actual "spud" of the spindle stub is?
These are drop spindles.

The second picture was posted by member Ironangel's.
See how close the "spud" is to the lower ball joint?
This is a standard spindle.

You can also see the dust shield is visably higher above the upper a-arm in your pics.

[coop34]

Thanks for the educating me lolife. I appreciate it.