Disc brake help

[atm70chevy]

I know this topic has been covered 1000 times but I still have some questions. I am new to this so any help would be greatly appreciated. I have a 1970 Chevy Stepside that someone has already swapped over to front disc brakes. I have completey rebuild the front suspension with parts for a 1970 Chevy. I found out the hard way that the lower ball joints will not work with a disc brake spindle. I have read that the lower ball joints will have to changed to 71-72. Do I have to change the upper ball joints as well as the tie rods? I have no idea what year model the spindles came from.... Any wisdom anyone can offer will really help me out.

[SS Tim]

Here is a good place to start.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...68&postcount=4

[atm70chevy]

Thanks for the link. That answered most of my questions. Now I know that I will have to change my ball joints and tie rods for sure. What I was still wondering about is if there is any way to tell what year model my spindles came from? I want to make sure and get the right parts this time. I just wasted about $150 in wrong parts.....

[lolife99]

Do you have any pics of the old front end?
What did you actually rebuild?
Just the a-arms?
All the tie rods?
What?

Your truck could have 71-72 or 73-87 parts.
You need to know.

Take your disc brake spindles to your local auto parts store and find out which UPPER ball joint fits them.
That will tell you what you have.

[atm70chevy]

Thanks for the tip. I think I will do that tomorrow. I rebuilt the upper and lower control arms, the ball joints, tie rods and adjusting sleeves, idler arm, pitman arm, steering gear box, calipers and all new brake lines. I bought these parts before I did any research and now have to buy more new parts..... This is my first project so I am learning as I go. I'm tryng to rebuild this truck by using a repair guide and internet research.... This site is a wealth of information!

[lolife99]

Since all your parts are for a 1970 truck,... your EASIEST option would be to buy 63-70 conversion drop spindles.
These would bolt on directly to your rebuilt parts.
Then sell your current spindles.
As long as you have the HD 1.25" rotors,... the rotors and calipers are a direct swap also.

[SS Tim]

Originally Posted by atm70chevy

..... This is my first project so I am learning as I go. I'm tryng to rebuild this truck by using a repair guide and internet research.... This site is a wealth of information!

There is indeed a lot of good information. Sometimes its hard to find but worth the search. May I recommend though that you supplement the "repair guide" with the factory service and overhaul manuals as well. Myself I prefer the paper copies but electronic copies can be downloaded from the site here. The link is in my signature.