87 spindles on a 66 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**dennislbrooks** · 08-13-2005, 09:15 PM

Anyone ever put 87 1/2 ton 2wd spindles on a 66? Any roadblocks to this swap besides changing the master cylinder, adding proportioning valve, and brake lines?

thanks

zenish · 08-15-2005, 08:51 PM

ive read that the balljoints and tierod ends are different.i swapped the whole crossmember and steering from a 1980 c10 into mine.if you're dropping it,its cheaper to get 1966 drop spindles.

**dennislbrooks** · 08-16-2005, 06:57 AM

Not dropping it--I replaced the 67 ball joints with the 87 balljoints -- upper and lowers. The outer tie rod end was easily solved by recutting the RH 11/16" threads to LH 5/8". Just got done seperating the rear brake lines. Still have the fronts to bend in from the proportioning valve. Am awaiting the 6 lug rotor kit from Harmon's. thanks for responding

mbgmike · 08-16-2005, 10:42 PM

I used Mike Mcgauhy spindles with late 80's 1/2 tonbrakes with stock ball joints and tie rods and everything work fine. The only problem I had was when I bought the discs and rotors from the local parts store they gave me ones for a half ton. they didn't fit (too thin) and when i went back they gave me another set for a they said for a HD 1/2 ton which fit. I talked to other people who said that there is no such thing as HD 1/2ton. all I know is that they were the correct thickness and they fit perfect. Maybe I messed up using the balljoints and tie rods but they seem to work oK for now.
I used balljoints and tie rods for a 65 however.and maybe the spindles are not exactly the same as stock 87.

**dennislbrooks** · 08-17-2005, 06:54 AM

On my 67 I used the stock outer tie rods on 72 spindles. Not quite right but somewhat structurally sound. I have found and heard from others to use the balljoints for the year of the spindles usually. It gives us something to do later. If anyone around Dallas needs the 11/16" outers made to 5/8" LH for 65-70 pu let me know. Takes about 30 mins per end. Bring beer. One of these days I will take a look under a 62-64 and see what the differences are.

**dennislbrooks** · 08-20-2005, 12:50 PM

Fro 2wd ---If you use the later model spindles 80's and some post 73 -- you will only be able to put on 5x5 rotors. The 6 lug kits are pretty much made for the 71-72 spindles - you will run into rotor inner bearing and caliper problems setup.

zenish · 08-20-2005, 10:50 PM

i used mcgaughys six lug rotors on my 1980 c10 spindles.

**dennislbrooks** · 08-20-2005, 11:58 PM

Good to know. They must have been the HD 2500 lb spindles. Inner bearing A5 or equiv. That's what I like about this forum. thanks

edaddy721 · 09-03-2005, 02:01 PM

Hello out there,i have a77 3/4 ton gmc that i would like to use as a donor for my 64 -

edaddy721 · 09-03-2005, 02:03 PM

can i swap parts from a 77 3/4 ton to a65 3/4 ton front discs steering box a arms ? edaddy721

**dennislbrooks** · 09-03-2005, 03:20 PM

I am sure there have been some do this and in this case dropping the whole suspension mount on the 77 and placing it on the 65 may be the way to. Otherwise use the 77 balljoints and the 77 tie rod ends--they may have to be cut to LH 5/8 ---not sure. Or the aftermarket tie rod end adapter. You should get other replies.

08-13-2005, 09:15 PM	#1
dennislbrooks Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Williamsburg, Ohio Posts: 1,766	87 spindles on a 66 Anyone ever put 87 1/2 ton 2wd spindles on a 66? Any roadblocks to this swap besides changing the master cylinder, adding proportioning valve, and brake lines? thanks Attached Images

08-15-2005, 08:51 PM	#2
zenish Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: stallings,nc Posts: 401	ive read that the balljoints and tierod ends are different.i swapped the whole crossmember and steering from a 1980 c10 into mine.if you're dropping it,its cheaper to get 1966 drop spindles. __________________ 1964 c10 short step 1962 econoline van 1989 rs camaro 2006 yamaha vino 125 1975 goldwing

08-16-2005, 10:42 PM	#4
mbgmike Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Pasadena,Tx /Pto Pta DR Posts: 5,415	I used Mike Mcgauhy spindles with late 80's 1/2 tonbrakes with stock ball joints and tie rods and everything work fine. The only problem I had was when I bought the discs and rotors from the local parts store they gave me ones for a half ton. they didn't fit (too thin) and when i went back they gave me another set for a they said for a HD 1/2 ton which fit. I talked to other people who said that there is no such thing as HD 1/2ton. all I know is that they were the correct thickness and they fit perfect. Maybe I messed up using the balljoints and tie rods but they seem to work oK for now. I used balljoints and tie rods for a 65 however.and maybe the spindles are not exactly the same as stock 87. Last edited by mbgmike; 08-16-2005 at 10:48 PM. Reason: add comment

08-20-2005, 12:50 PM	#6
dennislbrooks Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Williamsburg, Ohio Posts: 1,766	Caution Fro 2wd ---If you use the later model spindles 80's and some post 73 -- you will only be able to put on 5x5 rotors. The 6 lug kits are pretty much made for the 71-72 spindles - you will run into rotor inner bearing and caliper problems setup.

08-20-2005, 10:50 PM	#7
zenish Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: stallings,nc Posts: 401	i used mcgaughys six lug rotors on my 1980 c10 spindles. __________________ 1964 c10 short step 1962 econoline van 1989 rs camaro 2006 yamaha vino 125 1975 goldwing

08-16-2005, 06:57 AM	#3
dennislbrooks Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Williamsburg, Ohio Posts: 1,766	Not dropping it--I replaced the 67 ball joints with the 87 balljoints -- upper and lowers. The outer tie rod end was easily solved by recutting the RH 11/16" threads to LH 5/8". Just got done seperating the rear brake lines. Still have the fronts to bend in from the proportioning valve. Am awaiting the 6 lug rotor kit from Harmon's. thanks for responding

08-17-2005, 06:54 AM	#5
dennislbrooks Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Williamsburg, Ohio Posts: 1,766	On my 67 I used the stock outer tie rods on 72 spindles. Not quite right but somewhat structurally sound. I have found and heard from others to use the balljoints for the year of the spindles usually. It gives us something to do later. If anyone around Dallas needs the 11/16" outers made to 5/8" LH for 65-70 pu let me know. Takes about 30 mins per end. Bring beer. One of these days I will take a look under a 62-64 and see what the differences are.

08-20-2005, 11:58 PM	#8
dennislbrooks Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Williamsburg, Ohio Posts: 1,766	Good to know. They must have been the HD 2500 lb spindles. Inner bearing A5 or equiv. That's what I like about this forum. thanks

09-03-2005, 02:01 PM	#9
edaddy721 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: northern ca. Posts: 2	Hello out there,i have a77 3/4 ton gmc that i would like to use as a donor for my 64 -

09-03-2005, 02:03 PM	#10
edaddy721 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: northern ca. Posts: 2	can i swap parts from a 77 3/4 ton to a65 3/4 ton front discs steering box a arms ? edaddy721

09-03-2005, 03:20 PM	#11
dennislbrooks Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Williamsburg, Ohio Posts: 1,766	I am sure there have been some do this and in this case dropping the whole suspension mount on the 77 and placing it on the 65 may be the way to. Otherwise use the 77 balljoints and the 77 tie rod ends--they may have to be cut to LH 5/8 ---not sure. Or the aftermarket tie rod end adapter. You should get other replies.



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