1960 Chevy Apache wheel bearings 62 hubs?

[red7218]

Hi everyone, I'm hoping you guys have an old Hollander book or can help me on this one. I'll try to keep this short. I'm working on an all original 60,000 mile 1960 Apache 10 for a friend that just had a catistrophic front wheel bearing failure (ball type). It gets very limited use so the guy wants to keep the original drums but is not crazy about those bearings. In looking for a replacement spindle, I found out that the spindle covers 1960-62. The ball type wheel bearings were used 1960-61. The tapered wheel bearings started in 1962. The drums are the same from 1960 to at least 65.

My question is: Why couldn't someone use a 1962 (or later maybe) hub to upgrade to tapered roller wheel bearings and retain the rest of the factory spindle and drum brakes or is there some other way that you might know of to accomplish this? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks Marshall