Lost Link, Disc brake conv
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From: Mddl A MexCans
Lost Link, Disc brake conv
OK now that I have a possible donor for this the link I was planniong to use for reference has been misplaced. Wondering if this rings a bell with anyone. There was a guy here who had a writeup on his own webpage where he used the entire I beam from a late model truck for his conversion. In the write up there were picts of the parts in the back of his truck bed after removal. There is a 79 parts truck listed localy and I'd like to see what all was needed for that method of changing. Unlike the tech article in the list, seems he just dropped the old and in with the new. No kingpin issues just a bolt up and new brake lines and pretty much it. I am probably wrong about that but.. the link would help greatly. TIA
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From: Mddl A MexCans
I'm hoping to get as little BS as possible from doing this. Never messed with king pins before. Is it a simple thing to come home with the spindles or should I just grab the entire setp and worry about that later ? I wont have any help removing any parts, and dont have a large assortment of LARGE Tools.
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From: Elizabethtown, PA
The photo of the parts in the back of my truck is how I got them. The yard removed it all for me, as you may be able to tell, by just torching the brackets off the frame. It is probably easier for them to do that than spend more time removing bolts or kingpins.
Now, if you're doing it yourself, I'd say take the entire I-beams and disassemble at home. Depending on the condition of the donor (how often things were greased), the kingpins will either cooperate pretty easily or will be a total PITA. I don't recall the sizes of the nuts for the rearward facing arms; I think I just used a large adjustable wrench on those. The inner pivots for the I Beams aren't a particularly odd size, as I recall. You will need some pry bars to force them out of the frame pivots, as they twist when the assembly is lowered (I suggest prying that end out first, actually). Harbor Freight has a good set for cheap.
Now, if you're doing it yourself, I'd say take the entire I-beams and disassemble at home. Depending on the condition of the donor (how often things were greased), the kingpins will either cooperate pretty easily or will be a total PITA. I don't recall the sizes of the nuts for the rearward facing arms; I think I just used a large adjustable wrench on those. The inner pivots for the I Beams aren't a particularly odd size, as I recall. You will need some pry bars to force them out of the frame pivots, as they twist when the assembly is lowered (I suggest prying that end out first, actually). Harbor Freight has a good set for cheap.
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From: Mddl A MexCans
Well that is excellent info, I guess for the most part I can reference tools needed using mine. Now if the guy would just get back to me so I can see if it's in the budget. LOL Planning to head to pick n pull for the washer resivour I think a stop by and look see of a 73-9 setup would be a good idea. Give me a heads up on the spindle removal concept before hand. Thanks for the information..very helpful advice.
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From: Colville, Washington
Spindle removal is easy to get at, but often difficult to accomplish. There is a large nut with a grease zerk in the middle at the top and bottom of the pivot point(kingpin), that can be removed with a large wrench or pliers. On the side of the pivot is a small nut, remove it and drive the tapered bolt thru from the threaded end, then the kingpin can(HAHA) be driven thru from top to bottom. It is easier to remove the brake pieces, caliper, splash shield, etc. for room to swing the BFH. Oh, make sure you remove the outer tie rod end before all this to free up the spindle. The truck needs to be SECURELY supported under the frame and/or the I-beam, it takes some muscle a lot of the time. I was able to remove my king pins without too much trouble, but I greased mine at each oil change.
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