let's beat this horse to death! ~disk brakes~

[racedvl]

Ok, my truck. 1969 SWB Fleetside. C10.

Now I have a set of 72 C10 front spindles and center link. Has anyone installed these in place of the drum brake spindles? I know that the ball joints are diffrent. I just want to know if anyone has done this and had success. I really don't wanna go through all that work and then hit a brick wall. Any input would be awesome! Thanks.

[racedvl]

Bump.

[pat]

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/tech...pension_5.html

[Blue4x4]

I swapped out the old drum 4x4 front end out of my 69 and installed a 72 front end with disc brakes. It took about all 3 hours. I had to use a the 72 stearing arm. I also have the proportional valve to install...but seems to work fine without it. Let me know how it's going.

[Blue4x4]

for some reason I thought your truck was a 4x4....disreguard.

[racedvl]

Originally posted by pat
http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/tech...pension_5.html

I don't have the entire front suspension. Just the spindles.

[beaterC10]

I used 72 spindles to put disk brakes on a 63 2wd a few years back. I think I used the 72 spindles, centerlink , tie rod ends, and pitman arm. The rotors, calipers, master cylinder, and prop valve I think were from a mid 70's truck. The only reason i used the later model stuff was the fact I snagged them free from a truck a friend was junking. The master cylinder push rod and hard lines had to be fabbed. I think the flex hoses were from a late 60's Impala application. Seemed like the wagons and Impalas with big brakes used a lot of the same hardware as the trucks.

[racedvl]

Originally posted by beaterC10
I used 72 spindles to put disk brakes on a 63 2wd a few years back. I think I used the 72 spindles, centerlink , tie rod ends, and pitman arm. The rotors, calipers, master cylinder, and prop valve I think were from a mid 70's truck. The only reason i used the later model stuff was the fact I snagged them free from a truck a friend was junking. The master cylinder push rod and hard lines had to be fabbed. I think the flex hoses were from a late 60's Impala application. Seemed like the wagons and Impalas with big brakes used a lot of the same hardware as the trucks.

Everything alinged ok then?

[beaterC10]

It aligned and drove okay, but an adjustable prop valve would probably be a good idea, it would lock up the rear brakes in a heartbeat when you really stepped on the brakes. I probably still have my notes from that project, I can try to locate them and see if there are any other details I forgot.

[crazy longhorn]

You need upper & lower balljoints, tierod assys(innners ,outers & sleeves. you have the center link, & if the 69 has powersteering, I dont think you will have any issues with the pitman. The 71-72 lower ball joints will fit the 69 lower arms, but you will have a shortened steer radius.......you can grind the stops on the spindles, or opt for the 71-72 lower arms to correct the problem. The brackets for the brake hoses will be in a different spot on the disc setup.......no biggie, the welder will put the brackets where you need them You will need the lines ,hoses, prop valve, & the master cyl for the 71-72 truck.....disc or drum masters differ, & also, power disc or manual disc also take a different master. I think that pretty much covers it, good luck crazyL

[racedvl]

Originally posted by crazy longhorn
The 71-72 lower ball joints will fit the 69 lower arms, but you will have a shortened steer radius.......you can grind the stops on the spindles, or opt for the 71-72 lower arms to correct the problem.

Ok, that's the kind of information I was looking for! I didn't know that the lower a-arm was different. How much will this differ in my radius? Will it be noticeable? Also is the track width different? I have a 72 rear end that I will be swapping in as well. Thanks for any other info!

[racedvl]

Bump. . . .

[crazy longhorn]

The track width should be the same,as the arms are the same lenght, but have different steer stops welded on.I havent run into the steer stop issue myself(I have 71 lower arms, & 75 spindles on my longhorn). I have caught a couple posts from the guys that had steer stop issues, & Im not sure how much reduction in steer radius there was, but the fix was to grind the stops on the spindles(the truck was already assembled). Good luck,crazyL

[chevymad]

I used a set of 72 spindles I had on my 70. Changed the upper and lower ball joints then the spindle will fit the a-arms. Classic Performance makes a tie rod sleeve that connects a 72 outer tie rod end to your old outer tie rod end( your old outer then becomes the inner tie rod end). This allows you to use the stock 70 drag link assembly. I also bought a brake hose kit from them that allows you to hook your calipers to the old brake line brackets. Last thing I got from them was a pair of 6 lug rotors. I then bought rebuilt calipers, new m/cylinder from napa. And used a 72 proportioning valve I allready had. Setup works perfect. I'm very happy with all the parts I bought from Classic Performance.

[chevymad]

Doh! Forgot to mention.. Track width does change. Even though I used the stock 70 a-arms. Evidently the disc spindles, or maybe the rotors themselves move the wheels outboard a bit more. Before my 15x10's fit just inside the fender, now they hang out in front. Just guessing but maybe an inch, maybe less ON EACH side!! Too bad i'd just got wheels or i'd have ordered a different back spacing to make up for it.

[73stepside]

if you don't want to grind the steer stop on the spindle you can take a big punch and BFhammer and dent it in to get it all right

[racedvl]

Originally posted by chevymad
Doh! Forgot to mention.. Track width does change. Even though I used the stock 70 a-arms. Evidently the disc spindles, or maybe the rotors themselves move the wheels outboard a bit more. Before my 15x10's fit just inside the fender, now they hang out in front. Just guessing but maybe an inch, maybe less ON EACH side!! Too bad i'd just got wheels or i'd have ordered a different back spacing to make up for it.

So, would I be better off using a set of 71/72 lower a-arms?

[crazy longhorn]

The arms wont change the track width, but the swap from drum to disc(difference on the spindles) will change the track. The a arms are the same, except for the steering stops.....it wont cause any alignment problems either way you go on the lower arms. crazyL