I need some help please

[johnnye23]

After a few years of my family being first priority I am finally able to do some work on my 1972 Suburban . I have ordered drop spindles from two different manufacturers only to have both of them not fit the tie rods or ball joints.The truck is a half ton 72 suburban.It came with 15" wheels on the build sheet.I contacted a drop spindle manufacturer to discuss my dilemma and he advised me that no 72 Suburbans came with 5 lug wheels.
He told me someone somewhere has changed them, I am at a loss here can anyone offer me a suggestion to figure out what spindles are on my Suburban ? It is a 72 half ton with 5 x 5 lug pattern with disc brakes. Thanks !

[Jwill41]

mine 72 suburban has 5 lugs. The older ones were 6 lugs but I think they changed to 5 in 71 or 72.

[71swb4x4]

You are right, 2wd 72 suburbans did come with the 5 on 5 bolt pattern from the factory.
It's possible that someone changed things out at one time though. Maybe you can get ball joints and tie rods to fit the spindles???
Are you close to a board vendor? I am not sure where Christian's Classics is, other than I am almost positive he is in Tennessee. If you could drive the burb to a vendor they may be able to give you a great deal of help.

[too much stuff]

If your suburban is indeed a 72 1/2 ton, it would be 5 lugs, with disc brakes. Your supplier is wrong. 71 is the first year with disc brakes. I would try a different supplier...

[71meangreenc10]

Originally Posted by too much stuff

If your suburban is indeed a 72 1/2 ton, it would be 5 lugs, with disc brakes. Your supplier is wrong. 71 is the first year with disc brakes. I would try a different supplier...

Agreed,
Get a new supplier, it would seem that they dont know their products that they support.

71, first year for disks, as the sticker shows.

Smitty

[69nova]

I have a 72 suburban 1/2 ton also and ran into the same issue. My truck has 83,000 original miles with little to no changes to suspension. The drop spindles that I received from suppliers had ball joints holes that were to small for my burb. The only thing that I could come up with is that my truck has the 402 and front stablizer bar with heavier front suspension. I was unable to find drop spindles and had to buy just springs instead. If you find any drop spindles with large ball joints please post it.

[johnnye23]

Originally Posted by 69nova

I have a 72 suburban 1/2 ton also and ran into the same issue. My truck has 83,000 original miles with little to no changes to suspension. The drop spindles that I received from suppliers had ball joints holes that were to small for my burb. The only thing that I could come up with is that my truck has the 402 and front stablizer bar with heavier front suspension. I was unable to find drop spindles and had to buy just springs instead. If you find any drop spindles with large ball joints please post it.

This is interesting as my truck came with the optional front stabilizer . I wonder if it has 3/4 ton spindles possibly ?

[Livrat]

All 71/72 1/2 ton burbs came with 5 lug... also an interesting note.. 71/72 burbs with heavy duty suspension used a unique spindle (drilled for larger ball joints) .. it actually uses 3/4 ton ball joints, lower control arms and tie rod ends... (discovered this while converting a 4x4 Blazer to 2WD with burb suspension and a 1/2 pickup ball joint dropped through the lower A arm)..

The easiest solution would be to aquire a set of 1/2 ton pickup lower control arms (upper A arms are the same) then purchase 1/2 ton ball joints and tie rod ends.. and the dropped spindles of your choice

[johnnye23]

Originally Posted by Livrat

All 71/72 1/2 ton burbs came with 5 lug... also an interesting note.. 71/72 burbs with heavy duty suspension used a unique spindle (drilled for larger ball joints) .. it actually uses 3/4 ton ball joints, lower control arms and tie rod ends... (discovered this while converting a 4x4 Blazer to 2WD with burb suspension and a 1/2 pickup ball joint dropped through the lower A arm)..

The easiest solution would be to aquire a set of 1/2 ton pickup lower control arms (upper A arms are the same) then purchase 1/2 ton ball joints and tie rod ends.. and the dropped spindles of your choice

Thanks for that info, I guess I will be cruising the yards looking for the lower A arms. I contacted a drop spindle manf and he said they would convert the drop spindle to fit the lower attach points to 3/4 ton size ball joint size but I think it would just be cheaper and easier down the road to do as you suggested.Thanks , Johnny

[johnnye23]

Just got off the phone with Stan at ECE ,I think he has the solution.

C-20 ¾ to ½ Ton Conversion 2½" Drop Spindles
Click to View Looking to convert your ¾ ton Truck to ½ ton front suspension? We are proud to introduce the only C-20 to C-10 2½" Drop Spindles available on the market. (disc brakes required).
Over the years, we’ve had many customers with C-20 8-lug Trucks that would like to convert over to the better riding C-10 suspension and change their wheels to either a 5-lug or 6-lug bolt pattern. These new Conversion Spindles allow you to upgrade to C-10 front disc brakes on the ’60-’70 model Trucks, and give you the option of 2½" front Drop Spindles for the same price without having to change your tie rods and ball joints.
Several options are available to change the rear suspension and axle as well, and our technical support staff is more than happy to explain the different methods and choices available for each Truck year and model. Give us a call, we’re here to help
Parts on the way,will update on findings. : )

[69nova]

Sounds great! Sounds like what I need. ECE?! Not completely up on some of the abreviations. Who is ECE?

[johnnye23]

Originally Posted by 69nova

Sounds great! Sounds like what I need. ECE?! Not completely up on some of the abreviations. Who is ECE?

http://www.earlyclassic.com/home.aspx

[72GMC-Burb]

Early Classic is the BEST~!

[69nova]

Thanks! It has been added to my favorites list with all the other truck parts sites!

[johnnye23]

Success Finally !!!

Anyone having the same problem I had with a 72 1/2 ton Suburban with front heavy duty suspension needs to give Stan at Early Classic a call. He sent me the 3/4 ton to 1/2 ton conversion drop spindles and they fit like a glove. I was able to use all the original brakes and tie rods too. After 3 years and numerous drop spindles from various mfg's we have a winner !