Whitedog,
"There really isn't any easy way of going to tapered bearing,"
YEP, that sums it up in a nutshell.
Several ways to do it. MBS bearings (are these still available?), shortened P-30 axle, turned spindles, custom hubs, and i think someone even used a vintage 2 1/2ton GM axle and mated modern p-30 spindles to it. But all require modification, machine work or welding. All costly and time consuming.
If I'd known about the dearth of parts for the HD chassis going in I might not have bought a 1 ton but, with my find of the 1/2 ton GMC and Scotts cross member it's all good. Of course, I'm doing a retro rod. For someone doing a restoration it's a different story.
The biggest problem with the ball bearings is cost. Those things are pricy.
Cliff
