Help needed with tie rod end for disc brake conversion

[jfnar]

I hit a snag on my disc brake upgrade on my 68 gmc. I've seen on a few threads that I need a 72 outer tie rod end to match the spindle. The NAPA pn that I bought is ES415R. The old outer tie rod end that I removed has left hand threads and is .630 dia. The new part is .680 dia and has right hand threads. Did I get the wrong part? Thanks, any advice will be appreciated.

Jeff

[Sik66]

You can buy adapter sleeves....to adapt the larger rod ends and visa versa...

[lolife99]

Outer tie rod has to match the YEAR of spindle you are using.
Look at the thread at the top of this forum,...
Drum to disc conversion,...

[jfnar]

That's what I've got; 72 spindle and 72 outer tie rod end.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by jfnar

That's what I've got; 72 spindle and 72 outer tie rod end.

Like the sticky at the top of the page says,... you will need to use 71-72 balljoints and outer tie rods.
The problem is the size of your outer tie rod is 5/8” and LH thread.
The 71-72 outer is 11/16” and Rh thread.
The cure is three things:
1)
Buy tie rod adapter sleeves and move your stock 68 outer to the inner location so you can put the 71-72 outer in the outer location.
Or
2)
Use a 71-72 centerlink with all 71-72 inner and outer tie rods.
3)
Use a 73-87 centerlink with 73-87 inners and 71-72 outers.

The REAL answer is to use 63-70 conversions spindles and bolt them on your truck without changing any steering parts or balljoints.

Edited: to take out the million time comment.
There are no stupid questions.
Have a good day.

[jfnar]

Apologies for asking a dumb question. I've read every post and on-line article I could find about this before I started, including the one at the top of this page, and I didn't see anything about using 71-72 center links. It was probably there and I just missed it. I was concerned that NAPA had given me the wrong part but now that I know the whole story I have my plans for Saturday morning laid out for me. I have access to a 72 parts truck; the tie rod won't be easy to get but it looks like it's what I need to finish up. Thanks for the help.

[lolife99]

Info is here if you are using 71-72 part on a 67-70 truck:

1) Your truck's donor 71-72 crossmember came from the factory with disc brakes.
* You can swap out the entire 67-70 crossmember in one unit.
* Only a few holes will need to be drilled or elongated.
* The best option is to use all of the 71-72 steering components.
(centerlink, tie rods, idler arm, steering box and pitman arm)

2) 67-70 steering linkage use a different centerlink and tie rods, than the 71-72 crossmember you will be installing.

3) 67-70 tie rods are 5/8" diameter,... 71-72 tie rods are 11/16" diameter (with the opposite thread direction).
* 67-70 inner tie rods are RH thread vs. 71-72 inner tie rods (that are LH thread).
* 67-70 outer tie rods are LH thread vs 71-72 outer tie rods (that are RH thread).
* Again,... It's easiest to just use all of the 71-72 steering linkage.
* You can also use all of the 73-87 steering linkage, but you will have to change the outer tie rods to the 71-72 version to match the 71-72 spindle.

4) If you must use your 67-70 centerlink and inner tie rods:
* You will be require to use a "conversion" tie rod sleeve to connect the 67-70 5/8" diameter tie rod,... to the 71-72 11/16" diameter outer tie rod.
* Here is the problem: The 67-70 inner tie rod is RH thread. The 71-72 outer tie rod is also RH thread.
* To correct this,... you must use a 63-70 outer tie rod in the inner location.
* (The 67-70 outer tie rod is LH thread)

5) If you just want to add 71-72 spindles to your existing 67-70 a-arms,... you will need to change the 67-70 upper and lower ball joint to 71-72 upper and lower ball joints.
* The outer tie rod will have to be a 71-72 outer tie rod also. (see Step #4 above)

6) Rubber brake hoses:
* You must change to a disc brake style hose.
* Early Classic Enterprises, and other suspension vendors, make a "conversion" brake hose that will connect the disc brake caliper, to the original 67-70 brake hose steel line location.
* 71-72 hoses is another option. (but I haven't personally confirmed if the steel line connection is the correct size).
* Another option is to use 73-87 hoses, (cheaper to purchase), but they are much longer, and also may need fitting adapters.
* Aftermarket steel braided hoses and AN fittings is another option.

7) You can also just swap all the components from the a-arms out and leave your original 67-70 crossmember in place.
* This will require you to completly disassemble both the original 67-70 suspension and the 71-72 donor suspension.
* This is also a good time to clean, inspect, replace or rebuild any needed components.

[jfnar]

Since I did not use a 71-72 cross-member this is the procedure I followed from the sticky above. No mention of centerlink.

67-70 truck with

67-70 Crossmember Installed:
1) There are many advantage to leaving your 67-70 crossmember in place to add disc brakes.

2) 67-70 truck owners can now purchase "year specific" standard and drop spindles, from many aftermarket suspension vendors.
* No need to change ball joints.
* No need to change tie rod ends.
* These new "conversion disc brake spindles" are a true "bolt-on" mod to add disc brakes to your truck.

3) The 67-70 a-arms can also be used with any other (71-72 or 73-87) spindle, with a simple ball joint change.
* The upper and lower ball joints and outer tie rods must match the correct year of spindle you choose.

4) You will need a "conversion" rubber brake hose to connect your disc brake caliper to your existing steel brake line.
* 71-72 rubber brake hoses can be adapted.
* Much longer 73-87 brake hoses can also be adapted.
* Aftermarket steel braided brake hoses are an option.

5) Keeping your original 67-70 crossmember allows to to leave the engine and transmission in place.
* No need to remove drivetrain.
* No need to temporarily support the engine, while removing the crossmember.
* Complete disassembly of the front suspension also allows you the ability to clean, inspect, replace or rebuild all the individual components.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by jfnar

Since I did not use a 71-72 cross-member this is the procedure I followed from the sticky above. No mention of centerlink.

67-70 truck with

67-70 Crossmember Installed:
1) There are many advantage to leaving your 67-70 crossmember in place to add disc brakes.

2) 67-70 truck owners can now purchase "year specific" standard and drop spindles, from many aftermarket suspension vendors.
* No need to change ball joints.
* No need to change tie rod ends.
* These new "conversion disc brake spindles" are a true "bolt-on" mod to add disc brakes to your truck.

3) The 67-70 a-arms can also be used with any other (71-72 or 73-87) spindle, with a simple ball joint change.
* The upper and lower ball joints and outer tie rods must match the correct year of spindle you choose.

4) You will need a "conversion" rubber brake hose to connect your disc brake caliper to your existing steel brake line.
* 71-72 rubber brake hoses can be adapted.
* Much longer 73-87 brake hoses can also be adapted.
* Aftermarket steel braided brake hoses are an option.

5) Keeping your original 67-70 crossmember allows to to leave the engine and transmission in place.
* No need to remove drivetrain.
* No need to temporarily support the engine, while removing the crossmember.
* Complete disassembly of the front suspension also allows you the ability to clean, inspect, replace or rebuild all the individual components.

You are correct.
I tried to write every possible combo of parts.
Obviously I missed that.
I'm no longer a moderator so I can't edit that thread.
My opinion,... I would never swap the entire crossmember.
Years ago that was a good EASY way to get disc brakes.
But now all donor truck parts are WORE OUT.
In my opinion everything needs to be disassembled, inspected, and replaced with new parts.
And if that's the case,... All I see reusing is the centerlink, a-arms, and spindles, (if you don't want drop spindles).
Everything else needs to be replaced with new parts.

[jfnar]

It's all good. I know what to do now. Thanks.

[phat69]

We now have a tie rod adjuster available that will adapt a later C10 outer to an earlier truck. This is perfect for those guys using a later disc brake spindle on the earlier trucks. These conversion tie rods use a 5/8" inner thread with 11/16 outer thread.

http://www.azproperformance.com/Alum...71-87-C10.html

This is the route I am going.