"Drum to Disc" conversions 67-70 pics and videos

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by lolife99

The tie rods and ball joint swap is why I highly recommend using aftermarket 63-70 conversion spindles.
They are available in drop and standard spindles.
This keeps all your steering parts correct for your 69.

You have a couple options:
1) locate a 71-72 centerlink and use all 71-72 inner and outer tie rods.

2) use your original centerlink and convert to run 71-72 outer tie rods.
This is where it gets tricky.
Your original 69 outer tie rods won’t fit so you will need 71-72 tie rods to match your 71-72 spindles.

Except your 69 outers are LH thread and 5/8” diameter.
The 71-72 outers are RH thread and 11/16” diameter.

So to connect these to your 69 center link you have to:
a) buy a 5/8” to 11/16” conversion tie rod sleeve.
b) use 67-70 outer tie rods at the INNER location. (LH thread)
c) buy 71-72 outers to fit your spindles. (RH thread)

If you had purchase 63-70 conversion spindles
You could use all 67-70 steering parts.
But you are past that now.

CPP, PerformanceOnline, Edelbrock, QA1, and Pro Performance all sell the tie rod adapter sleeves.

thank you Keith I think it would be helpful if you edited your original thread something to this effect:

2) 67-70 truck owners can now purchase "year specific" standard and drop spindles, from many aftermarket suspension vendors.
* No need to change ball joints.
* No need to change center steering link and tie rod ends.
* These new "conversion disc brake spindles" are a true "bolt-on" mod to add disc brakes to your truck.

knowing that may have pushed me over the hump and I may have just bough a whole used 71-72 crossmember with control arms, spindles, and steering link

now it makes sense why my parts pimp always just swaps the entire 71-72 front end on to the 67-70 trucks

please note I am not complaining or ranting just trying to help others out, and the more we know the better

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by Gregski

thank you Keith I think it would be helpful if you edited your original thread something to this effect:

2) 67-70 truck owners can now purchase "year specific" standard and drop spindles, from many aftermarket suspension vendors.
* No need to change ball joints.
* No need to change center steering link and tie rod ends.
* These new "conversion disc brake spindles" are a true "bolt-on" mod to add disc brakes to your truck.

knowing that may have pushed me over the hump and I may have just bough a whole used 71-72 crossmember with control arms, spindles, and steering link

now it makes sense why my parts pimp always just swaps the entire 71-72 front end on to the 67-70 trucks

please note I am not complaining or ranting just trying to help others out, and the more we know the better

See I’m just the opposite.
Those 71-72 front clips are going to dry up and be gone some day.
I never suggest changing the crossmember itself.
I always suggest inspecting and rebuilding just like you are doing.
The next donor parts are the 73-87 stuff.
They can also be used. But I don’t suggest swapping the crossmember on them either.
Just the steering and the a-arms if you go that route

The 63-70 conversion spindles are my number one choice.
You get NEW spindles to work with new bearings, tie rods and balljoints.
Your remaining steering and suspension parts match your year of truck

Add 71-87 1.25” HD rotors (or aftermarket 6-lug rotors) and calipers and a disc brake master cylinder and you’re good to go.
(Of course you need an adjustable proportioning valve or a oem style 71/87 prop valve)

Also I can’t change the old sticky I wrote years ago.
I’m no longer a moderator.

Keep doing what your doing.
Because you are doing it right.
Too many people throwing “35+ year old” worn out parts under their truck, JUST to get disc brakes.