Control arms, brakes, & spindles 67-72 vs 73-87 C10

[EPS3]

Does anyone know if the upper and lower control arms for a 67-72 are the same as 73-87 C10?
If they are different, then what are the differences?
Same question for the brakes & spindles?
Thanks for your help

[notsolo]

Originally Posted by EPS3

Does anyone know if the upper and lower control arms for a 67-72 are the same as 73-87 C10?
If they are different, then what are the differences?
Same question for the brakes & spindles?
Thanks for your help

The 73-87 control arms are a little bigger and have different kind of pivot, mine have urethane inserts around the pivot. The spindles may be the same, not sure.

[orange prostreet69]

The control arms are bigger. I had an issue with bottom arms from 73-87 hitting headers. the ball joints are different from 67-72 than the new ones also. you can interchange the ball joints though i believe.

[lolife99]

Spindles break down as follows:
67-70 drum only

71-72 disc brake (1-1/4" rotors)

73-87 disc brake
Light Duty (for 1" rotors)

73-87 disc brake
Heavy Duty (for 1-1/4" rotors)

[lolife99]

Ball Joints break down as follows:

Upper:
67-70
71-72
73-87

Lowers:
67-70
71-87

All 1/2-ton upper and lower balljoints can be swapped between the 67-72 a-arms and the 73-87 a-arms.

[lolife99]

Outer Tie Rods break down as follows:
67-70
71-72
73-87

[EPS3]

Thanks for making this all clear.
Saves a lot of searching & measuring.
Am I right in assuming that the 73-87 arms, pivots, and heavy duty 1 1/4" rotors will be the best from both a performance and reliability standpoint?
Thanks

[EPS3]

Finally getting back to looking at upgrading control arms.
I notice that 73 and newer went to rubber bushings.
1) Do the 73 & newer rubber bushings make the ride smoother?
2) Do the 73 & newer rubber bushings make the handling less precise?
3) Are the bushings in the 72 & older more difficult to replace?
Thanks

[oldblue1968chevy]

Is there a difference between control amrs (a arms) for 67-72? By reading the above it does sound like theres a difference between the 67-72 and 73-87...

Thanks

[Tx Firefighter]

John,

The arms themselves are the same 63-72. Keith covered the ball joint differences. But the arms are the same.

73-87 are all the same throughout the years.
Posted via Mobile Device

[oldblue1968chevy]

Goood deal, thanks TX now I dont have to rip apart the 69, just the extra crossmember ive got (71)...

So I can press 69 control arm shafts into 71 A arms? (I know I can do the BJs)

[fishingjred73]

The control arm shafts aren't pressed in. The arms are threaded and the caps screw in to the arms.

Here's a pic of the older style shaft.

[devinrockford1991@gm]

I have the same question can you put 71 - 72 spindles on factory 69 control arms maybe just upgrade joints if needed.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by devinrockford1991@gm

I have the same question can you put 71 - 72 spindles on factory 69 control arms maybe just upgrade joints if needed.

Yes.
Sort of.
Ball joint change.
Outer tie rod change, which won't match your 69 center link and tie rod sleeves.
Easier to use 63-70 disc conversion spindles.
Direct bolt on.
Change nothing.

[scum1]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Ball Joints break down as follows:

Upper:
67-70
71-72
73-87

Lowers:
67-70
71-87

All 1/2-ton upper and lower balljoints can be swapped between the 67-72 a-arms and the 73-87 a-arms.

trying to clarify this last sentence above...

I currently have an entire 71-72 setup in my (63') truck and now I'm looking for new lower control arms..can i get 73-87 LCAs, put a 71-72 balljoint on it, and bolt it to my 71-72 crossmember.

with all this information i felt the need to ask still.

[scum1]

i must have bee tired last night when i asked this. Disregard..im going to get 73-87 lcas, and press out my 72 bj and use it on the new arm. Done.

one further note. I will be getting rid of my 71-72 cupped lower control arms as soon as I find my new ones, hopefully this weekend. If I do, first come first serve, just cover shipping and they're yours. ill post in the other threads if no one catches it in here.

[demian5]

So... can I buy a set of disc brake spindles (used) from a 72 and bolt them right up to my 70 ball joints that currently have drum brake spindles? Or do I need to change the ball joints?

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by demian5

So... can I buy a set of disc brake spindles (used) from a 72 and bolt them right up to my 70 ball joints that currently have drum brake spindles? Or do I need to change the ball joints?

No
Ball joints and steering components are different.

BUT you CAN buy 63-70 conversion spindles for around $230 and bolt them directly on your 1970 truck.
Not sure how to make it any clearer.
Search the forum in the Suspension section at the top of the page.
It's been discussed almost daily for years on this forum.

[Willie Makeit]

ok after posting my thread earlier today asking about control / a-arms this post percolated to the top. Some one correct me if I'm wrong, but my existing (new) 71-72 ball joints will work in the 73+ arms but I will need to buy new control arm shafts (bushing type) for the later 73+ arms.

is this correct?

many thanks!