Western Drop Spindles

[Hottrucks]

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

Wait, so your saying I can mount a mid 90's 6 lug spindle on a 71 rotor??

that I can't conferm but I know they fit the western/cpp spindles

[seafoam68]

Sorry I'm just getting back to thread. I went with 5 lug. Like I said, CPP told me these spindles are for 73-87 rotors, but I'm just not sure. I had the special tie rod adjuster sleave for the tie rods with the bigger end on the spindle side, but the later model tie rod (outer) ends would not fit the spindle. I had to go back to early model (67-68) tie rods on both inner and outer, with the normal adjuster sleave. ????

[mo1968]

Could somebody tell me straight up if 1973 to 1987 chevy 2wd 1/2 ton drop spindles can bolt directly to a 1972 c-10 chevy 1/2 ton 2wd with disc brake with absolutely no modifications. YES or NO please and thank you. I have a guy trying to sell me drop spindles he says are for 1972 thur 1987.

[Hottrucks]

yes but you need the ;later ball joints and either the center link or the adapter to convert to your new tie rod ends

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by mo1968

Could somebody tell me straight up if 1973 to 1987 chevy 2wd 1/2 ton drop spindles can bolt directly to a 1972 c-10 chevy 1/2 ton 2wd with disc brake with absolutely no modifications. YES or NO please and thank you. I have a guy trying to sell me drop spindles he says are for 1972 thur 1987.

YES,... with an upper ball joint change and an outer tie rod change.
71-72 lower ball joints are the same as 73-87.
The 73-87 upper ball joint is different.
Also the 73-87 outer tie rod is different.

So,... the guy trying to sell you those particular spindles must be mistaken or doesn't know what he's talking about.

Some older spindle versions,... and maybe some still manufactured, for the 71-72 trucks, actually required you to change the upper ball joints and outer tie rods to the 73-87 version.
(CPP's standard drop spindle,... not there new modular 2" drop spindle)

This was before companies started making "year specific" drop spindles.
63-70
71-72
73-87

The 71-72 center link will work fine with the 73-87 outer tie rods,... because they are the same 11/16" diameter.
The early (63-70) trucks will require the later center link,.... or,... the conversion tie rod sleeves.
They join the early tie rods (5/8" diameter) to the later (11/16" diameter) tie rods.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by lolife99

71-72 lower ball joints are the same as 73-87.
The 73-87 upper ball joint is different.
Also the 73-87 outer tie rod is different.

So,... the guy trying to sell you those particular spindles must be mistaken or doesn't know what he's talking about.

Some older spindle versions,... and maybe some still manufactured, for the 71-72 trucks, actually required you to change the upper ball joints and outer tie rods to the 73-87 version.
(CPP's standard drop spindle,... not there new modular 2" drop spindle)

This was before companies started making "year specific" drop spindles.
63-70
71-72
73-87

The 71-72 center link will work fine with the 73-87 outer tie rods,... because they are the same 11/16" diameter.
The early (63-70) trucks will require the later center link,.... or,... the conversion tie rod sleeves.
They join the early tie rods (5/8" diameter) to the later (11/16" diameter) tie rods.

x2.

[mo1968]

thanks guys..... didnt waste my money.

[Whittaker]

Ok so If I have a 72 with 5 lugs and I want to swap 6 lug rotors on what is the best way?

Can I have mine re-drilled?

Or can I use the 67-70 rotor with 6 lugs on my stock spindles?

Or use the 92 2500 light duty with 6 lug rotors on 73-87 spindles?

Or will the 92 rotors go on my 72 spindles???

Then what about out back??? re-drill or I was told a 73-82 4wd with a 12 bolt rear has the right length 6 lug axles?

[oldblue1968chevy]

Aftermarket makes a 6 lug foror that fits 71 -72 spindles. Early Classic make some, CCP makes some too im sure, and some others..

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by Whittaker

Ok so If I have a 72 with 5 lugs and I want to swap 6 lug rotors on what is the best way?
Aftermarket 6-lug 1.25" wide rotors sold by ECE, POL and CPP.

Can I have mine re-drilled?
Yes.
But a better option is the aftermarket 6-lug rotors.

Or can I use the 67-70 rotor with 6 lugs on my stock spindles?
No such thing.
67-70 were all drum brakes.

Or use the 92 2500 light duty with 6 lug rotors on 73-87 spindles?

Or will the 92 rotors go on my 72 spindles???

Then what about out back??? re-drill or I was told a 73-82 4wd with a 12 bolt rear has the right length 6 lug axles?
Same as the 71-? 12-bolt rear axle housing.

I don't recommend the 88-98 light duty 6-lug rotors.

[bigjoe77]

I hate to beat a dead horse, but I will anyway. I too have the Western Spindles and a lot of the same questions, which I'm sure were answered at some point during this thread, but I got lost about 10 replies in. I have a 1968 c10 lwb and bought the Western/CPP spindles for the conversion. The way I understand it, I can use stock ball joints and tie rod ends with the Western/CPP spindles. For the calipers, brakes and such, anything between 71-87 can be used. Does that also go for the brake hoses? I just want to make sure I'm on the right track. I went to a swap meet in Louisville today and was told by a salesman from Southern Trucks or whatever that the 73 and up brake hose was really long and that I'd be better off replacing the brake lines, brake hoses and calipers with those made for the 71-72 model so that the overall fitment would be better. You know, that made even more sense after I put it on paper. I already bought 73 or 75 calipers just because they cost less, but I suppose I could quit being cheap and get the others if it will work better. So does that sound about right (being better off using everything made for 71 or 72 instead of the later years)? And will the brake lines and dust shields for a 71 or 72 match up well for the most part with my truck? I'll be glad when I have this figured out once and for all. It makes my head hurt to think about it. Tell you what though, I love this place. Got on to find some info on this very subject (as well as the whole CPP/Western deal b/c I thought I'd been hosed) and voila...there it was. I would greatly appreciate any input you can spare.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by bigjoe77

I hate to beat a dead horse, but I will anyway.
I too have the Western Spindles and a lot of the same questions, which I'm sure were answered at some point during this thread, but I got lost about 10 replies in.
I have a 1968 c10 lwb and bought the Western/CPP spindles for the conversion.
The way I understand it, I can use stock ball joints and tie rod ends with the Western/CPP spindles.
Yes, if you use CPP's drop spindle part#CP4S2. These are a direct bolt on for 63-70 1/2 ton trucks.

For the calipers, brakes and such, anything between 71-87 can be used.
Correct as long as they are for the HD 1.25" wide rotors and calipers.

Does that also go for the brake hoses?
For 63-70 disc brake swaps,... I like to use a "conversion hose" sold by ECE.
They bolt directly to your stock steel brake line connection used by your original drum brakes.

I just want to make sure I'm on the right track. I went to a swap meet in Louisville today and was told by a salesman from Southern Trucks or whatever that the 73 and up brake hose was really long and that I'd be better off replacing the brake lines, brake hoses and calipers with those made for the 71-72 model so that the overall fitment would be better. You know, that made even more sense after I put it on paper. I already bought 73 or 75 calipers just because they cost less, but I suppose I could quit being cheap and get the others if it will work better. So does that sound about right (being better off using everything made for 71 or 72 instead of the later years)?
You could swap to 71-72 steel brake lines but you would have to weld or bolt on a tab on the front side of the crossmember.
This tab is on the rear of the crossmember now. It's where the rubber hose and the steel line connect. I don't see this as necessary if your original steel brake lines are in good condition.
Also,... the calipers you purchased should work fine.

And will the brake lines and dust shields for a 71 or 72 match up well for the most part with my truck?
Yes.

I'll be glad when I have this figured out once and for all. It makes my head hurt to think about it. Tell you what though, I love this place. Got on to find some info on this very subject (as well as the whole CPP/Western deal b/c I thought I'd been hosed) and voila...there it was. I would greatly appreciate any input you can spare.

Hope this helps.

[Demonspeed13]

I got my spindles in a kit from Cpp and it said it is made to work with the 73-87 ball joints and brakes . They are stamped Western too. 6370SSK is the part # for what I ordered .

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by Demonspeed13

I got my spindles in a kit from Cpp and it said it is made to work with the 73-87 ball joints and brakes . They are stamped Western too. 6370SSK is the part # for what I ordered .

I don't understand why CPP continues to sell that kit.
A few years ago that was THE kit to get, because no one made a direct bolt on spindle for the 63-70 drum brake trucks.
Balljoint changes and outer tie rod changes were the only way to get disc brakes on the older drum brake trucks.
You're not getting a "custom" spindle,... you're just getting a 73-87 drop spindle that has been produced forever.

The new conversions spindles (that are being manufactured by almost every suspension company) is the easiest way to install drop spindles.

[ol_skool_chevy]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

Why is that?

[B]I have to laugh when someone says somethings JUNK but has no reason as to why.
saying its junk seems to be enough ...

[bigjoe77]

Yes, that helped a lot. Thanks man

[**grumpy**]

Ok since we're on this topic.
I have a 1966 swb that has 5lug disc. The PO said he "believed" it was all 72 C10 stuff.
So I ordered drop spindles from CPP and they gave me part# CP4S3

Says theyre for 71-72 C10

Mine also say Western on the spindles.

So am I to believe these will be a direct bolt-on to my truck? Since it already has disc brakes?

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by Hottrucks

...for the 6 lug pattern the 1992 chevy 2500 ( under 7300lbs) discs are the ticket about $60 at Napa...

Originally Posted by Hottrucks

Scotti I brought my spindles (western) and 5 lug discs that came with it to Napa (Lee) he took all the measurements and came up with the 92 2500 under 7300lbs ( keep in mind the 3/4 ton model is diff than the others) he grabbed one off the shelf and we slid it on...sized it up every which way..it was exactly the same except it was 6 lug

Originally Posted by lolife99

I don't recommend the 88-98 light duty 6-lug rotors.

If the above two quotes are true, then why the non-recommend for using the rotors? Seems like the same part, locally available, for much less dinero. Am I missing something?

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by gringoloco

If the above two quotes are true, then why the non-recommend for using the rotors? Seems like the same part, locally available, for much less dinero. Am I missing something?

I know the aftermarket rotors are designed for the 71-87 spindles and the aftermarket 63-70 spindles.
I have never seen a picture posted of the 88-98 light duty 3/4 ton 6-lug rotors mounted with the stock dust shield and a stock 71-87 caliper to a pre-88 spindle.

Maybe hottrucks can post some pic of his swap.
The only threads I have seen use the 88-98 spindle.

I am open to this idea,... I just haven't seen it in person or on here.

EDIT:
I did some research on the '92 2500 LD 6-lug rotors. (7200 lb. truck)
I researched my parts via Oreilly Automotive's website.
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/se...992&vi=1033029

The Wagner brand rotor is part# BD61812 is $59.99 each.
But this appears to be a slip on "hat style" rotor only.

If you look at Wagner part# BD125208,... which is described as a "rotor hub" assembly,... they are $161.99 each.
(I'm not sure,... but do these "hub assemblies have sealed bearings?)

Unless you have a set of used hubs,... I don't see the savings.

Plus,... I'd still like to see a set of these mounted on the older spindles.
So anyone that has done this swap,... please post up some pics!

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by **grumpy**

Ok since we're on this topic.
I have a 1966 swb that has 5lug disc. The PO said he "believed" it was all 72 C10 stuff.
So I ordered drop spindles from CPP and they gave me part# CP4S3

Says theyre for 71-72 C10

Mine also say Western on the spindles.

So am I to believe these will be a direct bolt-on to my truck? Since it already has disc brakes?

CPP catelog show part# CP4S3 spindle for the 71-72 trucks only.
The upper ball joint and outer tie rods are specific to the 71-72 model year,... so you should be fine.

[**grumpy**]

Thank You Sir!
Lets hope it works out...haha
Nothing worse than taking apart a running/driving truck and not having the right stuff to put it back together...

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by lolife99

So anyone that has done this swap,... please post up some pics!

Good info Lolife- thanks for doing the leg work I agree with the above statement

[gringoloco]

Did a little digging today while at the LAPS picking up hoses and tubing for my truck. Just so happened to have a pair of dial calipers in my pocket

The 92-98 rotor measures 11.6" diameter(.3" less), 1.3" thickness(same), has a 3.08" center hub(same), and uses the same A5/A3 inner/outer bearing set as the 71-87 rotor. I did not check mounting depths of the bearings. Wish I had an HD spindle to mock one up on, but my truck is LD Belltechs...

Downside, if they do in fact fit, is losing 5/32 of rotor surface area, but then again, I'm pretty sure my pads don't contact the full surface of the rotor anyway.

[lolife99]

Thanks for the added info.

[Hottrucks]

I think that you'll find that those rotors are for 3/4 under 7300lbs.....I have a great parts guys and we did a dry mock up