The saga continues.....this is getting ridiculous.

I'm in the process of converting to disc on my '72 and the donor vehicle ('71 Elky-this stuff was given to me and the guy who got it for me knows his year models) actually looks to be a spindle off a '73+ (it has an integrated steering arm). He just popped it loose at the ball joints and brought me the whole assy. The lower ball joint has a different taper and won't work as is. Can I use a different lower ball joint that fits the spindle? Will it work with the control arm? Will the steering arm work with my tie rod? Is the steering geometry correct? Do I just need to get the correct spindles? Will the calipers or rotors work with an original '72 spindle? I'm not looking to do a bunch of machining to make any of this work. If it won't work adapting a few parts, I just want to cut my losses (time) and get it done with the correct stuff. I'm not adverse to crossing over if it will work correctly. Thanks.

The saga continues.....this is getting ridiculous.

I'm in the process of converting to disc on my '72 and the donor vehicle ('71 Elky-this stuff was given to me and the guy who got it for me knows his year models) actually looks to be a spindle off a '73+ (it has an integrated steering arm). He just popped it loose at the ball joints and brought me the whole assy. The lower ball joint has a different taper and won't work as is. Can I use a different lower ball joint that fits the spindle? Will it work with the control arm? Will the steering arm work with my tie rod? Is the steering geometry correct? Do I just need to get the correct spindles? Will the calipers or rotors work with an original '72 spindle? I'm not looking to do a bunch of machining to make any of this work. If it won't work adapting a few parts, I just want to cut my losses (time) and get it done with the correct stuff. I'm not adverse to crossing over if it will work correctly. Thanks.

you have your work cut out for you trying to make a 73+ spindle work. good luck.

I don't know much about the later models, but I think this would be what they refer to as a "tall spindle" swap. Use the search function, there's a lot of info on that.

Ditching the tall spindles I have and buying another donor set. I hope to have this swap done by Christmas!

you can also just make your spindles that are on your 69 into disc spindles. very simple to do. there is a post on here somewhere that tells how. all it involves is grinding down the portion where the top caliper bracket bolts on. if you hold a drum spindle and a disc spindle side by side you will see that the only differance is the spot where the top caliper bolt goes. the drum spindle is thicker than the disc spindle. all you have to do is take a angle grinder and grind the drum spindle down .its best if you put the bottom bolt in the caliper bracket to the spindle and tighten it hand tight, so that it will still move. now swing it up to where the other bolt goes and grind just enough off so the caliper bracket will go over the bolt hole.and there you have a disc spindle. there is a set of these homemade (disc) spindles on e-bay now last i looked it was $156. i bought the whole new kit for my 69 chevelle $670. so i now have a power booster/m.c. drum spindles for sale..