Need help/advise on front suspension

[1969 Project]

Hi guys, I am new to this and hope to get some good info as my buddy recommend that I join. I recently purchased a 1969 c10. They did the front disc brake conv and left the 6 lug pattern on.I purchased a drop kit from EC and I received the 71-72 spindles. I noticed that the outer tie rod is to big to fit into the spindle. I wanted to change my outer tie rods as well as my inner as the inners are shot. That being said in order for me to do this I would need 71-72 tie rods and change the center link to 71-72 as well, correct? Will this affect the Pitman and idler arm as I will be replacing them as well. Also the 71-72 spindles fit the upper and lower ball joints that are in my truck as well, how is this possible? Is my only conclusion to change all of the front end to 71-72? I am not sure what the previous owner did but it seems there are a a lot of mixed parts in my truck. I also found out that the rear end is from a 64-65 17 spline, which does not work with my kit either as I had to order 30 spline side gears, has anyone had to do this?

[gringoloco]

What spindle did you remove to install the drop spindles? Sounds like they maybe did a late-model disc swap?

I agree, the easiest (and probably most expensive) way would be to swap to all 71-72 pieces. Need to know what you have to make any educated suggestions otherwise.

[1969 Project]

I am not sure, how can I tell? I am new to the c10 game but I am learning a lot quick as i start tearing things down lol

[PGSigns]

Post some pics of what you pulled off. It is common to use 73 to 87 stuff on these trucks. From the size of the tie rods I would say that is what was done on yours. I have it on both my 65 and 66. Those 6 lug rotors are aftermarket and sought after as they are not cheap.
Jimmy

[1969 Project]

Here is what I took out. The other picture is the new spindle I received for 71/72 year. I was also told that these spindles should not be compatible with these ball joints as they are not the same spindle, is that correct?

[PGSigns]

Looks like the spindle is 73 to 87 with the 1 1/4" thick rotors. The ball joints should be the same for 71-72 as the later spindles. The tie rods are not the same but there are ways to fix it. Here is a link from the 60 to 66 FAQ section that gives lots of information on what parts can be mixed and matched to get a rolling disc brace system. Give it a read and it will help you with understanding the ways to swap stuff in these trucks.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=4450757
For what was on your truck the 73 and up spindle would have been a bolt in. Taking some time to see what have before ordering parts helps with these old trucks. Many stories about what folks find previous owners have done.
Jimmy
Jimmy

[1969 Project]

Lot's of good info, thanks! Now I am a little confused as far as the caliper, will my brake calipers fit the new rotors?

[PGSigns]

As long as your new rotors are the same thickness as your old ones. Most use the 1 1/4" thick rotors.
Jimmy

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by PGSigns

Looks like the spindle is 73 to 87 with the 1 1/4" thick rotors. The ball joints should be the same for 71-72 as the later spindles. The tie rods are not the same but there are ways to fix it. Here is a link from the 60 to 66 FAQ section that gives lots of information on what parts can be mixed and matched to get a rolling disc brace system. Give it a read and it will help you with understanding the ways to swap stuff in these trucks.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=4450757
For what was on your truck the 73 and up spindle would have been a bolt in. Taking some time to see what have before ordering parts helps with these old trucks. Many stories about what folks find previous owners have done.
Jimmy
Jimmy

This is not exactly correct.
The 71-72 and 73-87 share the same LOWER balljoints, but not the upper.
They are unique to each year as are the outer tie rods.
Not sure how you can look at a spindle and tell what year it is, since the same castings are now being used to make the conversion 60-62 and 63-70 spindles as well as the 71-72 and 73-87 HD spindles.

The only way I know FOR SURE to identify a spindle is to know what year upper ball joint or outer tierod it takes.
That's the only thing that is different between all the years of C10 spindles.
That usually requires a trip to the parts store with your spindle.

[1969 Project]

I installed the the new 71-72 spindle on my existing ball joints however the outer tie rod does not fit to the new spindle, that is the part that is throwing me off. I was planning on replacing inner and outer tie rods anyway so I was just going to make thos 71-72 as well but I believe the center link will not work with he 71-72 inner tie rod as I believe the holes on my center link are smaller. It wouldn't be too big of a deal since I am there I can just change out the center link as well. Does anyone know if this will affect the fit of my current pitman and idler arm? Or would it be easier if I just returned the spindle and get the correct one?

[gringoloco]

If you have the availability, and the means, grab a 71-72 center link and matching idler, pitman, and tie rods and be done with it. Saves hassle now and in the future. Really impossible for us to know what's going to work or not, based on not knowing what mix of parts you have currently.

[1969 Project]

That is my plan now even though I wasn't planning on spending all the money right now I would rather do it the right way and have everything match.

[Damien]

Hotchkis has tie rod ends for adapting '73 and newer spindles to '72 and earlier trucks that may be an option for you depending on what you have.

http://www.hotchkis.net/product/63-7...k=&yr=&md=&sm=