I've read here that the Chev 'bigger bearing' spindles can be machined to fit the smaller Ford inner bearing. Has anyone done this? Is that all that needs to be done to fit the Ford rotor hub on the chev spindle?

I've also read that the Ford hub can be machined instead, to fit the bigger chev bearing, but haven't read about anyone actually doing it.

Is one option better than the other?...sounds 50/50 to me.

I believe the spindle surfaces are hardened.
besides, a new set of the appropriate spindles are gonna cost about $100/ea. what's it gonna cost to machine a spindle?
I also believe (but have never done this) that the Ford 5-bolt spindles can be plug welded and redrilled to accomdate the 6-bolt GM/Jeep knuckles.

Are you trying to convert a Chevy 6 or 8 lug to 5 on 5.5? If so, there are spindles that will do this...just search in the Jeep area.

Why would you want to machine large-bearing GM spindles for the Ford bearings when the small-bearing GM spindles, or Waggy spindles, will allow you to drop on a Ford hub directly? :shaking:

Originally posted by Lloyd
Why would you want to machine large-bearing GM spindles for the Ford bearings when the small-bearing GM spindles, or Waggy spindles, will allow you to drop on a Ford hub directly? :shaking:

Yup, I'm trying to convert from 6 to 5. I've spent too much time already searching every salvage yard within 500 miles and I can't find the proper spindles. I'm sick and tired of looking.

I can hardly afford to pay attention, let alone buy new spindles. I can get machining done relatively cheaply.

Here's the story: I have 5x4.5" D44 rear now. I already have all the parts for the front D44 6 lug. When I find out if I can fit a 5.5" bolt pattern flange inside Explorer/ZJ rotors, then i'll get new rear shafts with 6 lugs, instead of getting wheel adapters, which would need to be 5x5.5. I don't care if I have 5 or 6 lug, I'm just looking for the best way to match both ends.

OK, I understand your situation now. Personally, I've never machined a big spindle for a small bearing, nor have I machined a Ford hub for a large bearing; so I won't comment on either. But you do have another option! Chrysler used a bunch of 5x4.5 hubs on 44's in Ramchargers and 1/2-ton pickups, if you don't mind fulltime. If any yards in your area have some Dodge knuckles-out assemblies, this would match your rear. And give you a 1.5" 35-spline stub shaft, with nothing to break on the end. Just a thought.

Originally posted by Lloyd
Chrysler used a bunch of 5x4.5 hubs on 44's in Ramchargers and 1/2-ton pickups, if you don't mind fulltime. And give you a 1.5" 35-spline stub shaft, with nothing to break on the end. Just a thought.

Interesting. I did see a few Dodge D44s, some even had flat top knuckles.

Thanks Lloyd...just what I need...search all the yards again... They already think I'm crazy...one week it's Chev parts, next week it's Ford...now Dodge:)

Oh yes, flattop knuckles are quite common in those. Lack of proper maintainence seems to have got those assemblies an undeserved bad rap. In the Dodge section here, there's some very good information on caring for those wheelbearings, posted by Old Syko. If they think you're crazy at the junkyards, imagine me standing in Wal-Mart with a different type of grease on each finger trying to figure out what I wanted to run in mine. ;)

Have a look at my site here:

http://billavista.tripod.com/HybridAxle/HybridAxle.html



and here:

http://billavista.tripod.com/Steering/Research/steeringresearch.html

For some info that will help you.

Currently I run 5x5.5 front and 5x4.5 rear, and my spare is a 5x5.5 and I carry a single 5x4.5 to 5x5.5 adapter in case spare is needed on back

Bill

Where are you? I have some small bearing spindles I would swap you for your big bearing spindles...I'm in SoCal.

Originally posted by Lloyd
... imagine me standing in Wal-Mart with a different type of grease on each finger trying to figure out what I wanted to run in mine. ;) LMAO:)



Thank you all for the info, and thanks Triaged for the offer. But, I finally found a Wagoneer rear D44 today, so I'm going to use that.

Bill- I thought about the adapter, but rotating the tires sounds like too much trouble...or do you bother rotating them?