6 Lug disc brake using 88-98 spindles ?????

[-T-]

So i researched the tech articles and thought that I had followed them to a T, however I took the truck to get aligned today and with no shims in the top, its still 1.3 out. I used 73 C20 lower arms, stock uppers arms, 88 upper and lower ball joints and tie rod ends. Everything went together great, but you could see that the caster was way off when it went together but I thought that it would align out. Wrong. Any suggestions on what I did wrong?

Has anyone else ran into this? any help would be great, thanks

[BMERDOC]

I have heard of the swap but haven't come in contact with one yet. There was another thread the other day where the guy had the same problem. His camber was 2.2. Looks like although its a physical bolt in it can't be done because of the positive camber. I don't know of a fix for it...yet.

[-T-]

Originally Posted by BMERDOC

I have heard of the swap but haven't come in contact with one yet. There was another thread the other day where the guy had the same problem. His camber was 2.2. Looks like although its a physical bolt in it can't be done because of the positive camber. I don't know of a fix for it...yet.

We are going to measure the difference in the C20 arm and stock arm to see if it's shorter. If it is, we have an idea for a fix but I'll keep that till we know it works. I'm so far into the swap with new everything but spindles I would hate to scrap it.

[lolife99]

Without narrowing the upper a-arm,... I don't know an answer.
YOU are the second member to confirm this problem.
We need to get the word out to all that think this is a money saving disc swap.

Install a 1/2-ton lower a-arm and spindle with an aftermarket C10 6-lug rotor,... and you will be back in business.
Of course you will have to swap the ball joints and tie rods back.

[lolife99]

Makes the $229 63-70 conversion spindles look cheap.

Plus no one has ever confirmed that the 88-98 spindle geometry works with the 63-87 a-arm/steering combo.
Let us know how it works out.

[hugger6933]

I am a little more than interested here. I have all the parts laying around my place from trucks I've junked and kinda been holding on to them for a 6 lug disc front change. I have two others that I have gone the other way and done 5 lug [both from 71-72trucks] and I do have the stuff to do a whole 73 up front cross member swap if need be but I liked the idea of the factory like 6 lug stuff. Without looking up the camber specs what is the range? -T- your out on both the caster and camber? Aren't the lowers different? I remember that the one I read called for 68 LCA's and that is what I have gotten for my swap. I know the Ball Joint hole is the same size[67-70/71-72/73-87] but I wonder if it is placing the joint in a different spot ? Someone wiser than I kick in here with some front end knowledge

[-T-]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Makes the $229 63-70 conversion spindles look cheap.

Yes it does!! I'm so far into this with new everything that I'm going to do my best to figure it out. I have a simple idea but I need to test it first and check all the in ands out. Somewhere I have read that it was done with a successful alignment but of course can't find it now!! Might be worth a sticky to save some people some $$$$$. Just a thought

[YBNORML]

There was a burb on here with this swap, I'll see if I can find it.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by -T-

Yes it does!! I'm so far into this with new everything that I'm going to do my best to figure it out. I have a simple idea but I need to test it first and check all the in ands out. Somewhere I have read that it was done with a successful alignment but of course can't find it now!! Might be worth a sticky to save some people some $$$$$. Just a thought

I am not a fan of this swap,... because the majority of the swappers want drop spindles.
I don't like using "used" front end parts when I do this brake/suspension rebuild,... so the cost "savings" didn't add up to me.

EVERYONE says they want a 6-lug rotor they purchase locally.
But really,... how often do you replace rotors?

With companies like RockAuto undercutting almost every parts store in town,... or companies like Summit Racing selling CPP 6-lug C10 rotors cheaper than anyone with FREE shipping.
The "local rotor" issue is over.

[-T-]

Hugger, not sure on the camber since he saw it wasn't going to work. The lowers should be the same 67-87 as for design. I'm going to measure tomorrow and report back

[-T-]

Originally Posted by lolife99

I am not a fan of this swap,... because the majority of the swappers want drop spindles.
I don't like using "used" front end parts when I do this brake/suspension rebuild,... so the cost "savings" didn't add up to me.

EVERYONE says they want a 6-lug rotor they purchase locally.
But really,... how often do you replace rotors.

With companies like RockAuto undercutting almost every parts store in town,... or companies like Summit Racing selling CPP 6-lug C10 rotors cheaper than anyone with FREE shipping.
The "local rotor" issue is over.

I will agree at this point.

[YBNORML]

I found the truck I was thinking of, but it was just a rotor swap. Anyways it's on the first page of this thread. Post 17 I believe.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=431073

[BMERDOC]

I think if you machined an 1/8" off the upper arm cross shaft surface that would buy you .5 but an 1/8" seems like a lot to me to take off. Just throwing ideas out there. You'd probably have to clearance the backside of the upper arm so it doesn't contact the frame too.

[-T-]

Originally Posted by YBNORML

I found the truck I was thinking of, but it was just a rotor swap. Anyways it's on the first page of this thread. Post 17 I believe.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=431073

Thanks I PM'd him maybe he will be kind enough to steer my the right way

[BMERDOC]

Originally Posted by hugger6933

Without looking up the camber specs what is the range?

The range is .8 to -.3 camber and 2.0 to 3.0 caster. He is really only about .5 degrees out but I have a big problem with positive camber.

[67 cst swb]

Originally Posted by lolife99

EVERYONE says they want a 6-lug rotor they purchase locally.
But really,... how often do you replace rotors?

With companies like RockAuto undercutting almost every parts store in town,... or companies like Summit Racing selling CPP 6-lug C10 rotors cheaper than anyone with FREE shipping.
The "local rotor" issue is over.

Very good point... I have always been one that thinks "local purchase" my thought was if I needed one when on a road trip, such as a car show in another state, I could just go to any parts store... but in reality, how often will that really happen.
Very good point!

[67 cst swb]

Originally Posted by -T-

Hugger, not sure on the camber since he saw it wasn't going to work. The lowers should be the same 67-87 as for design. I'm going to measure tomorrow and report back

I am very curious on this issue. As I am amazed the lower control arm dimensions are different. I knew the ball joint hole was a different diameter, but the cross-shaft centerline to ball-joint centerlines being different is surprising to me.
Let us know what you find?

[-T-]

Originally Posted by 67 cst swb

I am very curious on this issue. As I am amazed the lower control arm dimensions are different. I knew the ball joint hole was a different diameter, but the cross-shaft centerline to ball-joint centerlines being different is surprising to me.
Let us know what you find?

arms are the same length, so it has to be in the casting of the 88-98 spindles. Obviously it can be done considering that the burb posted above has the swap, but im unsure of how it was done. I have attempted to fix the problem today, and have an appt with the alignment shop in the AM. Ill hold off on my fix until I know it worked!

[-T-]

ok, I said i would report back when i knew if my fix worked, and it did. However, I'm just simply going to say that if your considering using 88-98 spindles to do a disc brake swap, don't. I safely made mine work only because I am so deeply invested in it with new a arms, ball joints, rotors, calipers, tie rod ends, and a ton of time that I felt compelled to make it work. I plan to only run this for as long as it take me to get an air bag kit with upper and lower arms that I can use and still retain my 6 lug wheels. I will be glad to PM with anyone that is in the same boat as me as to how I made it work, but will simply say to those that are researching about the swap.....BUY a KIT!!!

Any suggestions on a Air bag kit with upper and lower arms??

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by -T-

ok, I said i would report back when i knew if my fix worked, and it did. However, I'm just simply going to say that if your considering using 88-98 spindles to do a disc brake swap, don't. I safely made mine work only because I am so deeply invested in it with new a arms, ball joints, rotors, calipers, tie rod ends, and a ton of time that I felt compelled to make it work. I plan to only run this for as long as it take me to get an air bag kit with upper and lower arms that I can use and still retain my 6 lug wheels. I will be glad to PM with anyone that is in the same boat as me as to how I made it work, but will simply say to those that are researching about the swap.....BUY a KIT!!!

Any suggestions on a Air bag kit with upper and lower arms??

www.PorterbuiltFabrication.com
The only place for a-arms and air ride that I would use.
They should be able to hook you up with spindles and 6-lug rotors.

Can you tell us all what you did to fix the camber issue?
(did you remove the spacer between the upper a-arm and the frame?)