I'm converting my '78 waggy axle to 5 on 5.5, and the topic of the week never mentioned why it had to be pre 77 spindles. I know that they are thinner and use a different bearing, but can't I just use the 78 spindle and bearings for a 78?

Originally posted by CJ5-man
I know that they are thinner and use a different bearing, but can't I just use the 78 spindle and bearings for a 78?

You answered your own question. They use different bearings.
Search of a picture of both kinds of spindles, you'll see why.

I've been searching this subject for the past 2 days, and no, i didn't answer my own question. Why can't I keep my 78 spindle and use bearings for that 78 spindle? The 6 bolt hubs look like they have the same opening as the 5 bolt hubs for the race, I don't see why it wouldn't work.

A guy i know did this on his TJ. His name is Leebo. I will get you his email address if you want. He said he has done quite a few of these conversions.

let me know

the GM older spindles have the smaller bearing in the back, this is the same size as the Ford hubs. You can use the large bearing spindles if you have a set of 78-79 F-150 super cab hubs laying around.

The '78 bearings won't fit into the Ford hubs. The pre-78 bearings will fit.

I found that you can just use splindels, hubs & rotors of an '82 Bronco.

The spindles on the Fords (like that 82 bronco) are different than those on a GM/FSJ, in two ways.....the length is different due to the different way Ford does it's caliper mounting plates, with the length difference the outer shafts on a ford are different too.

And the pattern that the spindle uses to bolt to the knuckle is 5 vs. 6 on the GM/FSJs.

It sounds like people answered your question more than once.

Could someone please break this down for me. I must be stupid.

i have a 85 waggy front. i found a cherokee chief with two flat top knuckles that I will get for the local yard. What else do I need to swap to 5x5.5? If I use a ford spindle will I have to use a ford outter axle shafts? I don't have any calipers, what do I need?

Originally posted by Rodney YJ
Could someone please break this down for me. I must be stupid.

i have a 85 waggy front. i found a cherokee chief with two flat top knuckles that I will get for the local yard. What else do I need to swap to 5x5.5? If I use a ford spindle will I have to use a ford outter axle shafts? I don't have any calipers, what do I need?

A Clue? :flipoff2: Like they said before. Search and you will find all the answers you need.

joe

The spindle I got off the '82 Bronco has 6 holes & slips right on the Chevy knuckle studs. I don't have shaft yet, so I have'nt put everything together to make sure it works, but I can't see any problem.
I am guessing I will be useing the Ford outer shafts. I don't think it really matters. If I can't use the c-clip it's no big deal.

really? interesting

Originally posted by CJ5-man
I'm converting my '78 waggy axle to 5 on 5.5, and the topic of the week never mentioned why it had to be pre 77 spindles. I know that they are thinner and use a different bearing, but can't I just use the 78 spindle and bearings for a 78?

The pre-77 spindels are the same as a Chevy. This allows you to use the spindles with a Ford rotor to get the 5 on 5.5. Otherwise you are SOL on finding bearings that fit.

Originally posted by Rodney YJ
Could someone please break this down for me. I must be stupid.

i have a 85 waggy front. i found a cherokee chief with two flat top knuckles that I will get for the local yard. What else do I need to swap to 5x5.5? If I use a ford spindle will I have to use a ford outter axle shafts? I don't have any calipers, what do I need?

Here is a few links to try.

http://classicbroncos.com/disc_faq.shtml
http://broncosport.alloffroad.com/Disc_Brakes/disc_brakes.html
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Speedway/7255/page2.htm

ledger thank you

joe FUCK YOU, I did search.


I wanted to know if I could use the pre 77 spindle off a cherokee with ford hubs with out maching them or did I have to use chevy spindles.

I had the same problem and this is what I found:

1. The pre 77 GM and Wagoneer and almost all the Fords use the smaller inner bearings.

2. If you have a Wagy or Chevy 44 and want 5 on 5.5 you need pre 77 chevy or Wagy spindles, pre or post 77 Chevy or Wagy calipers and caliper brackets and pretty much any Ford 1/2 ton Hub and rotor and wheel studs, and use the chevy or wagy outer axles. The ford wheel studs are 1/2", the Chevy and Wagy are 7/16". The Ford hubs end up widening the WMS slightly, It was something like 3/8" per side.

3. If you want to keep the later big bearing spindles, I found some 80's Dodge hubs that were 5 on 5.5 and use the big inner bearings.

4. I would go to your local parts store and get one of their old wheel bearing and brake books. You can figure out what makes and models use the same hubs, bearing and brake parts, that's the best way to figure out anything for sure.

Originally posted by CJ-Jeeper
I am guessing I will be useing the Ford outer shafts. I don't think it really matters.

According to Warn's axleshaft charts the Chevy, Ford, and Jeep outer shafts are the same length so you should be good there. That is interesting about those Ford spindles. I know that the '70's Ford spindles were 5 bolt and my old '89 Bronco had 5 bolt spindles. Wierd how they switched them around especially since '82 and '89 were both TTB for the front.

Thank you Goat1 that is exactly the info I wanted.

so from what you guys have posted, new calliper brackets are not necessary? i've got the waggy ones but have been told that i need Chevy calliper brackets. is this not true, can i just use the ones i got? i have no way of telling what year they are. thanks- russel

Waggy brackets & calipers should be the same as Chevy

Originally posted by CJ-Jeeper
The spindle I got off the '82 Bronco has 6 holes & slips right on the Chevy knuckle studs. I don't have shaft yet, so I have'nt put everything together to make sure it works, but I can't see any problem.
I am guessing I will be useing the Ford outer shafts. I don't think it really matters. If I can't use the c-clip it's no big deal.

The problem with not using the c-clip is that the c-cplip is what holds the v-seal against the back of the spindle so if you remove the c-clip then water gets into the front hub assemply real easy.

you can use the other, if you want to put in some lathe time