71-72 vs 73+ strong arms and drop spindles

[jimmydean]

So my old truck being a 6 lug, I decided to get the 6 lug drop spindles to keep things "easy". But this time it's different.

Being a '71, is it easy/logical to get 71-72 drop spindles and associated Strong Arms, or just go the more readily available 73+ and not use the existing brakes? The brakes are ok, but can certainly be swapped out for shinny new ones.

To me it seems logical to go with the more common 73+ for ease of parts. Opinions?

[RunninLo]

rotor/caliper should be the same. the only real difference from 71-72 to 73+ is the upper ball joint taper and the size of the u-bolt holding the LCA's to the x-member.

only other thing to watch for is rotors came in different thicknesses but both options were available and interchangable from 71-72 and 73+
Josh

[jimmydean]

Originally Posted by RunninLo

rotor/caliper should be the same. the only real difference from 71-72 to 73+ is the upper ball joint taper and the size of the u-bolt holding the LCA's to the x-member.

only other thing to watch for is rotors came in different thicknesses but both options were available and interchangable from 71-72 and 73+
Josh

I was told the spindle on the 71-72 was different and the 73+ rotor wouldn't work. So if I ordered a 73+ drop spindle, I would have to get a 73+ rotor as well, regardless of thickness.

[jimmydean]

CPP seems to think the spindle they sell supports rotors from 71-87, so it looks like I got bad info. Thanks.

[RunninLo]

Just for real world info I have a set of 73+ spindles on a project that are running my 72 1 1/4" rotors from my burb project that now sports drilled rotors.
Project is a freinds 66 that I donated the UCA/LCA, and rotors too. Had the 73 plus spindle and he just put the 73+ upper ball joint in my old 72 UCA. bolted it all up slicker than slick.
Josh

[gringoloco]

1.25" rotors are the same, 71-91. ~81 they introduced a light duty rotor(1") that does not interchange.