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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: tukwila, wa
Posts: 24
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1970 k20 disc brake conversion
i need a little help here from someone that has done a disc brake conversion on a 1970 k20 with the aardvark open knuckle drum axle. I have a full dana 44 1973 axle here but the ring and pinion are toast. i was planning on doing the knuckle out swap and be done with it.
im getting mixed info from reading older posts on the forums. some say that it will not work because the axles are different lengths and width. and some say just swap the knuckle out and it its good to go. so my question is can i use the 1970 axles and do the knuckle out swap or is it basically impossible because this year has one off parts that are not compatible with anything else? |
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#2 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Dunbarton, NH
Posts: 281
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Re: 1970 k20 disc brake conversion
Here is a page out of the Spicer parts catalog that lists the Bill of Materials/Part Numbers for the 70 and 73 D44 axles. Note that the part numbers for the axle assemblies are different between the 70 and 73.
The BOM is stamped into the axle. On my 70 K10 axle it is stamped on the drivers side facing forward. I know that on the K10 D44, the axle shaft/u-joints were larger starting in 72. Hope this helps.
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Steve/NH 1967 K10 327 Short Bed Stepside 2008 F350 Power Stroke Lariat 2007 BMW X3 2023 BMW X3 M-Sport 2020 BMW 540xi M-Sport 1995 Harley FLSTC |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: tukwila, wa
Posts: 24
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Re: 1970 k20 disc brake conversion
Ok, thats verifies that the axles are different. I am wondering what i would need to make it work with the 73 wheel ends. New seals and bearings for the hub to fit the disc hub? I really dont want to tear into a perfectly working axle then find out its not possible.
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#4 | |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: cooperstown. ny
Posts: 1,574
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Re: 1970 k20 disc brake conversion
Quote:
__________________
1972 Chevy Custom Deluxe Highlander, owned 34 years. 1970 GMC Sierra Grande 2500, unrestored, original. 1970 Chevy K10 Short Wide-bed, working on restoration.. 1967 Chevy K10 Short Stepside, unrestored original. 1969 GMC CST (Longhorn) 396, buckets, unrestored. 1995 GMC K2500, 65,000 miles, 454. |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: tukwila, wa
Posts: 24
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Re: 1970 k20 disc brake conversion
I can't remember exactly what I did but I ended up buying rotors, calipers, pads, bearings, seals, pretty much much everything new from the knuckle out besides the spindles. All the parts I bought were for a 72k20. The axles were a different length and thickness so I used the older ones.
Besides having to buy a bunch of parts, it's pretty straight foward. |
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#6 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Colfax-California
Posts: 8,510
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Re: 1970 k20 disc brake conversion
Axle difference is the u-joint. Drum brakes utilized the spicer 260x joint and the later disc brake up to 91 in the Blazer and Suburban used the 289 joint (5-760x)
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