Anyone want to weigh in on why 74-77 rear shackles would have different part numbers for 71-73 and 74-77? I know the bumpers got heavier so maybe the spring rates changed but I can't see that changing the shackle dimensions. I was going to put my '76 leafs on my '71 and wanted to get the correct ones.... Also same story for tie rod ends...74-up has different part numbers for inner and outer tie rod ends. Any one know why? Want use my '76 disc spindles on my '71 manual steering linkage... thanks!
I thought so too but it didn't mention different parts for disc or drum...or do you mean the disc spindles are different from 71-73 and 74-77?
Disc brakes didn't come out until '74, it has 3 bolts holding the dust cover. The earlier models have 4 bolts holding the dust cover. They might be a difference in the tie rod hole location too.
Now I'm getting confused, if that's the reason for different P/Ns for the later years wouldn't that mean all the guys who convert early cars to discs from a later year cars would also have to conver the tie rod ends? All four tie rods (inner and outer) have different numbers. I guess I should just ask can I use '71 tie rods with '76 spindles.
Go to a parts store and compare the tie rod ends. If you measure the stud and they are both the same dimensions you should be good. There is a similar running change on the 68-72 GM A-bodies and the stud was the same but the size of the threads where the adjusting sleve goes on were larger on the later cars. Most good parts stores should have a spec guide that they can look up dimensions for the part but getting someone to put in the effort is the hard part.
I just went through this . The outer tie rod ends will fit the spindles fine.The inner tie rod ends will not go all the way in to the center link. I reamed out the holes in the center link to make the later ones fit. If you use all early parts you should be OK,or change the Idler arm and center link and use later parts that should work,although I have never tried that.
thanks for the replies, my early center link and idler arm in great shape so I was planning on using those but I want new tie rods ends so I wanted to be sure of what would and would not work. I have the new outers already and only noticed the difference in application when I went to order inners. So it sounds like I should get the early inners to work with the early center link... Now about those rear shackle differences.....
