63-70 versus 71-72 Drop Spindle Differences

[mahanian]

I'm sure this question has been asked a few times before but I couldn't find the answer when I searched so I figured I'd ask it again. When ordering drop spindles, what is the difference between the ones made for 63-70 trucks and the ones for 71-72 trucks? I know they both use 71-72 disc brakes, but I vaguely remember there being a difference in the control arm ball joints? Is that the only difference? Is one preferred over the other? Do both spindles push the wheel out 3/4" per side?

I have a 72 donor truck and if it's worth the hassle I can swap the control arms onto my 67. I bought the 63-70 Western Chassis drop spindles with the upgraded 73-87 tie rod parts, but I could sell them and get the 71-72 if there is an added benefit.

Thanks in advance!

[passthebuck]

I understood that the only difference is that the tapers for the balljoints are different between the two. I put the 63-70 ones on my truck as well because I had rebuilt the front end of my 67 500 miles before and I would have had to rebuild the frontend of the 71 donour frontend if I had installed it. Also, I work alone in my driveway & there was no way I would be able to put the crossmember in alone...

[68Stepbed]

The inner AND outer tie rods, tie rod adjusters, drag link, and all ball joints are all different. If your suspension needs rebuilt anyway, flip a coin. The 63-70 spindles are desinged to use the 63-70 ball joints and tie rods you already have.

If you have 73-87 tie rods, they won't work with the 63-70 soindles.

[mahanian]

These Western Chassis spindles are designed to use the 73-87 outer tie rods and ball joints (sold as a complete set), that's why I am confused why they sell a 63-70 kit and a 71-72 kit.

This is what the vendor has advertised:

These popular kits are a great way to lower your truck 2.5" in the front and upgrade to the more readily available ball joints and tie rod ends from the 73-87 truck.

Kits are available for 1963-70 and 71-72 trucks only.

1963-70 kits include:
• Upper and Lower ball joints
• Outer tie rod ends
• High Performance adjusting sleeves

1971-72 kits include:
• Upper ball joints
• Outer tie rod ends

[passthebuck]

It appears that your chosen vendor has decided not to carry the full line of Western spindles. 63-70, 71-72 & 73-87 spindles all appear to be similar dimensionally, but all have different balljoints. You can convert your truck to 73-87 balljoints & use the 73-87 spindles. However, look around at some board vendors & you'll find that you can get the conversion spindles that will allow you to use your 67 balljoints (assuming they are in good shape) without buying unnecessary extra parts. I had zero problem getting balljoints for my 67 so I dont know what they mean by "more readily available"...

[Clyde65]

I dont know for sure but I have seen some that are "Modular" and keep the wheel/tire in closer than others like the 73-87.

[mahanian]

Originally Posted by passthebuck

It appears that your chosen vendor has decided not to carry the full line of Western spindles. 63-70, 71-72 & 73-87 spindles all appear to be similar dimensionally, but all have different balljoints. You can convert your truck to 73-87 balljoints & use the 73-87 spindles. However, look around at some board vendors & you'll find that you can get the conversion spindles that will allow you to use your 67 balljoints (assuming they are in good shape) without buying unnecessary extra parts. I had zero problem getting balljoints for my 67 so I dont know what they mean by "more readily available"...

They carry the standard Western Spindles as well, but I opted for the set that included the the 73-87 ball joints and tie rod. I would have replaced them anyways and it was cheaper to get them as a set then buy the regular drop spindles and then buy 67 ball joints and tie rod ends. From what I've been told, the spindles aren't 73-87, they are the 63-70 spindles, just bored out to accept the larger ball joints and tie rod. There are several vendors that sell these.

Does anyone know if there are differences between the control arms for a 63-70 drum setup and a 71-72 disc setup? I'm wondering if there might be a difference there that requires a change in the spindle.

[lolife99]

Same control arms from 67-72.
Those spindles are 73-87 spindles.
They are cheaper because the balljoints and tie rods are cheaper.

All drop spindles (with the exception of CPP's modular spindles) are designed after the 73-87 spindle.
The tie rod holes and balljoint holes are just reamed different sizes.
This is why they can make a different spindle for all the years.
60-62, 63-70, 71-72, and 73-87.

[mahanian]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Same control arms from 67-72.
Those spindles are 73-87 spindles.
They are cheaper because the balljoints and tie rods are cheaper.

All drop spindles (with the exception of CPP's modular spindles) are designed after the 73-87 spindle.
The tie rod holes and balljoint holes are just reamed different sizes.
This is why they can make a different spindle for all the years.
60-62, 63-70, 71-72, and 73-87.

That seems to make sense, but if you look at the parts lists in my post above the 63-70 kit comes with both the upper and lower ball joints from the 73-87, but the 71-72 kit only comes with the upper ball joint. This leads me to believe that the 71-72 lower control arm already has the bigger ball joint. Not sure if that affects the control arm itself, but it would mean you couldn't take a 71-72 stock spindle and bolt it on to a 63-70 lower control arm without swapping out the ball joint or maybe the whole control arm.

If they are 73-87 spindles, is there any difference from a wheel placement standpoint than the 63-70 or 71-72 drop spindles, or is it purely the bore size of the ball joint and tie rod hole that is different? So the 60-87 spindle is all th same except the hole sizes?

[yellowGT]

sorry to jack your thread but will 73-87 rotors fit on the 67-70 or 71-72 spindles?

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by mahanian

That seems to make sense, but if you look at the parts lists in my post above the 63-70 kit comes with both the upper and lower ball joints from the 73-87, but the 71-72 kit only comes with the upper ball joint. This is because the lowers are the same. (71-72 is the same part number as the 73-87 lower balljoint).


This leads me to believe that the 71-72 lower control arm already has the bigger ball joint. Correct


Not sure if that affects the control arm itself, but it would mean you couldn't take a 71-72 stock spindle and bolt it on to a 63-70 lower control arm Correct.without swapping out the ball joint or maybe the whole control arm. Just the ball joints. All 1/2 tons 67-72 arms are the same

If they are 73-87 spindles, is there any difference from a wheel placement standpoint than the 63-70 or 71-72 drop spindles, or is it purely the bore size of the ball joint and tie rod hole that is different? Correct


So the 60-87 spindle is all th same except the hole sizes?

Correct.

All the conversion spindles will use the 71-87 rotor and caliper, and bearings.

The only exception is the light duty rotors that GM used between 81-87.
They were the 1" wide version,... compared to the 1.25" wide version.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by yellowGT

sorry to jack your thread but will 73-87 rotors fit on the 67-70 or 71-72 spindles?

Yes.
As long as they are the HD version. 1.25" wide rotors.
Everything has to match the rotor width.
Bearings, Caliper, Rotors, and spindles.

Why GM EVER made a light duty rotor is beyond me.
All it does is add confusion.

[hdzammo]

How can one tell the rotors apart? From 1 to 1.25?
Posted via Mobile Device

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by hdzammo

How can one tell the rotors apart? From 1 to 1.25?
Posted via Mobile Device

Measure the width with a tape measure,...

[67_ShortFleet]

quote=lolife99;4388710]Measure the width with a tape measure,...[/quote]