72 2wd project "No Daggum Money"

[jjzepplin]

So I thought I would catch this one before it's built and start a thread. Not sure how except posting some before pics. I have got absolutely no money to put in this truck but I cannot sell it and I cannot seem to scrap anything. We have been together since 1988. I totaled it in 2006 and bent the frame. Just found a frame with 2wd gear so it will be reborn a 2wd.
I hunt down parts for my other truck and use the leftovers for this one. Can anyone tell me what spindles I have as it did not come with calipers? I need to start hunting junkyards.

[fxdxharley]

look up the numbers off the frame and find out what year it is. to me it looks like a 71 or 72 frame. you have 5 lug spindles so thats where i would start.

[jjzepplin]

This was originally a 4wd frame and the guy who sold it to me said it was his sons and did not know where he got it. This will obviously be a Frankentruck Built from spare parts.

[no moa]

I agree, its probably 71-72. Could be an older frame, but just use the 71-72 vintage to get calipers.

[jjzepplin]

Thanks guys! I will start looking! It will have a 12bolt leaf 3.73 posi and th400 and 307 survivor engine.(spare parts) From there I am not sure. I guess I will need a disc proportioning valve?

[no moa]

Is that a 2wd Blazer or Truck frame? I don't think i've seen one that short with leafs. (that wasn't cut)
Yes you will need a prop valve for the front discs. Well, at least mine has it.

[jjzepplin]

It was originally leaf 4wd. It came retrofitted with trailing arms but no springs or way to mount tops of springs or panhard bar. I had the leaf system on my bent frame so I just took it off and reinstalled it on the new to me frame. Bolt holes were already there. This eliminated the need for the trailing arm crossmember and any modifications needed to it for exhaust. Now I can even use my old exhaust.

[no moa]

Well that worked out good for you.

[lolife99]

The front suspension appears to be the rubber bushed 73-87 version.
Just measure the caliper width.
It will be either 1" or 1.25".
You will need to know this to by replacement parts.

[jjzepplin]

Would I be able to tell from the rotors? God knows what they are off..

[no moa]

Originally Posted by lolife99

The front suspension appears to be the rubber bushed 73-87 version.
Just measure the caliper width.
It will be either 1" or 1.25".
You will need to know this to by replacement parts.

How can you tell?, looks identical to my original 72 front end.

[fxdxharley]

after a closer look at your pictures that frontend looks to be a 73-87. the control arms are different and the bushings are different from a 67-72. i have a 84 front on my 4x4 to 2wd conversion. the 73 up calipers are all the same execpt for the hd ones which use a 1.25" thick rotor like all ready mentioned.

[jjzepplin]

Just measured one rotor and the caliper says 1.18in.. Used up 1.25? Pretty rusty probably cannot turn them. Haven't checked specs. So do I have the heavy duty? Abso freakinlutely love this site !

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by no moa

How can you tell?, looks identical to my original 72 front end.

67-72 has steel control arm bushings.
73-87 has rubber bushings.

The rubber brake hose connected to the upper a-arm is a 73-87 give away also.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by jjzepplin

Just measured one rotor and the caliper says 1.18in.. Used up 1.25? Pretty rusty probably cannot turn them. Haven't checked specs. So do I have the heavy duty? Abso freakinlutely love this site !

Yes,... I would say those are 71-87 HD rotors.
Calipers, rotors, bearings and the spindle itself are either HD or Light Duty.

Some 81-87 trucks had the Light Duty rotors.
Some has the HD rotors.

Just tell the auto parts store guy your truck is a 73, and you will get HD rotors and non-metric calipers.

[jjzepplin]

Would have never figured that out ! Thanks Guys! This will be my test pilot for body work as well . Girl was slammed pretty good in the rear

[jjzepplin]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Yes,... I would say those are 71-87 HD rotors.
Calipers, rotors, bearings and the spindle itself are either HD or Light Duty.

Some 81-87 trucks had the Light Duty rotors.
Some has the HD rotors.

Just tell the auto parts store guy your truck is a 73, and you will get HD rotors and non-metric calipers.

So I went to Auto-Zone and they said there was only one listing for calipers and nothing said HD. I cannot believe these could be the ones at only $11.99 each..this has to be wrong. What do you think? Buy one and bolt it up? Oh and I forgot to ask if they come with bolts. I guess I could get those off the "help" section.

[gringoloco]

That's them, plus $10 core. They should come with sliders...
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[jjzepplin]

Update..Did an axle flip in the rear and not sure what to do in the front. I guess I will start with cutting the springs as this will not cost anything. I think two coils is about the max right? If I need drop spindles I should look for 1973?

[fxdxharley]

Originally Posted by jjzepplin

Update..Did an axle flip in the rear and not sure what to do in the front. I guess I will start with cutting the springs as this will not cost anything. I think two coils is about the max right? If I need drop spindles I should look for 1973?

cutting the springs is a big no no! spend the money and buy either drop spindles or springs. cut springs are next to impossable to determine a drop amount. spindles are your best bet as it wont effect geometry.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by jjzepplin

Update..Did an axle flip in the rear and not sure what to do in the front. I guess I will start with cutting the springs as this will not cost anything. I think two coils is about the max right? If I need drop spindles I should look for 1973?

Did you ever measure the rotor width?

I wouldn't cut more than 1-1.5 coils.
That's the max.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by jjzepplin

So I went to Auto-Zone and they said there was only one listing for calipers and nothing said HD. I cannot believe these could be the ones at only $11.99 each..this has to be wrong. What do you think? Buy one and bolt it up? Oh and I forgot to ask if they come with bolts. I guess I could get those off the "help" section.

What year did you tell the AutoZone guys?

[jjzepplin]

Originally Posted by lolife99

What year did you tell the AutoZone guys?

I told them 1973. My rotors measured 1.18 so I am guessing they are the HD 1.25 but very used. So I could cut the coils for experimenting as I Aint gots "NO DAGGUM MONEY " for spindles and drop coils. I got some things on CL so maybe I get lucky.

[jjzepplin]

OK so I mocked up an engine and tranny in the frame and My center dump exhaust manifolds dump really close to the cross member. I am not sure but did they change the manifolds in 1973 to rear dump style? Or did I put the engine too far forward? It seems to fit well.

[jjzepplin]

Anybody?