Anyone have a c20/30 with rear disc brakes? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

One Chevy Scotty · 02-13-2010, 09:51 AM

Howdy,

New here. Recently acquired a 'New to me' 1972 C20 4x4...I have had 2 '72s in the past, but never a 3/4 ton or a 4x4....and I only have one right now, but I love these old Chevys (as you all do I am sure).

...anycase...on to the question...I had to rework the front brakes, and now I am thinking that I would like to put disc brakes on the rear (like everything else that I own/drive). Has anyone done this? Is there a readily available kit to sawp them out? or, am I just in for a long hard road?

I got this most recent truck with a load of extra parts, and after sorting through them, I find that some are not appropriate to the year of my truck, and some just are from different model level, so I will be listing some nice used, and some new parts in the for sale section (as soon as I have it all sorted out). On the other hand, I will be looking for color matching interior parts, and some factory AC parts that I am missing.

Great to see that there is site for these old birds, and so many knowledgeable folks floating around that are willing to lend their hard earned expertise.

Scott

Sinister · 02-13-2010, 11:51 AM

Welcome to the Board. My guess is that you have a Dana 60 rearend. There are disc brake kits available. http://www.pirate4x4.com/articles/pr...s/disk_brakes/
If for some reason you have an Eaton, I believe there are kits for that as well.

One Chevy Scotty · 02-13-2010, 12:09 PM

Sinister,

Just what I was looking for...I wonder though...what pads are used, and do I have to alter/modify the proportioner?

Just curious...Thanks

Scotty

Sinister · 02-13-2010, 12:10 PM

You'll need a disc/disc master cylinder and prop valve, IIRC. No idea on what pads/calipers the kits use. I think there are other kits around too.

**Classic Heartbeat** · 02-13-2010, 12:45 PM

If it is a Chevy it will have the eaton "banjo style" rear end. GMC's had the Dana 60s. That is if it hasn't been changed. WES

One Chevy Scotty · 02-13-2010, 03:35 PM

Wes,

It is the Eaton in the rear and Dana 44 up front, with the big Spicer locking hubs.

Was there a substantial difference in the Dana 60 and the Eaton? I am not prejudiced either way, but if there is some flaw that is going to cause headaches later on, I'd like to know sooner rather than later.

THX

**Classic Heartbeat** · 02-13-2010, 03:40 PM

The eaton rear end does not have as many gear selections as the Dana 60s. Parts are also more difficult to find for the eaton. Other than that, both are good rear ends. WES

**mr48chev** · 02-13-2010, 05:07 PM

There is plenty on the net for the conversion as it is quite popular with the serious offroad 4X4 guys.

Here is the Google search with more info than you ever wanted on the subject.

Mainly it involves using a set of mid 70's 8 lug 4x4 front rotors, 78 Elodrodo rear calipers if you want parking brakes or the mid 70's front rotors if you don't and a set of custom caliper brackets that fit the rear end you are running.

Here is a link to one seller of the brackets on Ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/14-Bo...item2c5314428a

I am not sure if this will fit the pre 73 rear axle, you would have to ask him that. He does do a good job of explaining things though.

grs · 02-13-2010, 06:31 PM

Try earlyclassic.com for the rear disk brakes for you truck. I bought the kit for my truck. I have a C-10 tho. The rear calipers have emergency braces. The kit came with cables too. I had trouble with a caliper. It was not clocked correctly.
The piston in the caliper has to be turned just right, or the pad won't go in correct. They sent another one , and they paid the freight. They also paid the freight to send the bad one back. When I got them on the truck one of the emergency brakes did not work. The company where they get there brake parts from sent me a new caliper, and they paid the freight both ways. Tell them what you have, and how many lugs your axles are.

Sinister · 02-13-2010, 06:48 PM

Here's a setup for an Eaton. http://www.blackbirdscustomtrucks.co...x7.html#5eaton

**mr48chev** · 02-13-2010, 07:13 PM

I like Blackbeard's Caliper brackets but the last time I checked they wouldn't sell them separate.

I've got a different rear end that is going under my 71 (still a Dana) and am slowly trying to collect the conversion pieces to do the brake swap.

When I tow my sailboat or the other trailer the brakes I have are right at their limit.

02-13-2010, 09:51 AM	#1
One Chevy Scotty Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 117	Anyone have a c20/30 with rear disc brakes? Howdy, New here. Recently acquired a 'New to me' 1972 C20 4x4...I have had 2 '72s in the past, but never a 3/4 ton or a 4x4....and I only have one right now, but I love these old Chevys (as you all do I am sure). ...anycase...on to the question...I had to rework the front brakes, and now I am thinking that I would like to put disc brakes on the rear (like everything else that I own/drive). Has anyone done this? Is there a readily available kit to sawp them out? or, am I just in for a long hard road? I got this most recent truck with a load of extra parts, and after sorting through them, I find that some are not appropriate to the year of my truck, and some just are from different model level, so I will be listing some nice used, and some new parts in the for sale section (as soon as I have it all sorted out). On the other hand, I will be looking for color matching interior parts, and some factory AC parts that I am missing. Great to see that there is site for these old birds, and so many knowledgeable folks floating around that are willing to lend their hard earned expertise. Scott

02-13-2010, 11:51 AM	#2
Sinister Between Trucks... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA. Posts: 3,830	Re: Anyone have a c20/30 with rear disc brakes? Welcome to the Board. My guess is that you have a Dana 60 rearend. There are disc brake kits available. http://www.pirate4x4.com/articles/pr...s/disk_brakes/ If for some reason you have an Eaton, I believe there are kits for that as well. __________________ Beat it to fit, Paint it to match...

02-13-2010, 12:09 PM	#3
One Chevy Scotty Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 117	Re: Anyone have a c20/30 with rear disc brakes? Sinister, Just what I was looking for...I wonder though...what pads are used, and do I have to alter/modify the proportioner? Just curious...Thanks Scotty

02-13-2010, 12:10 PM	#4
Sinister Between Trucks... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA. Posts: 3,830	Re: Anyone have a c20/30 with rear disc brakes? You'll need a disc/disc master cylinder and prop valve, IIRC. No idea on what pads/calipers the kits use. I think there are other kits around too. __________________ Beat it to fit, Paint it to match... Last edited by Sinister; 02-13-2010 at 12:11 PM.

02-13-2010, 03:35 PM	#6
One Chevy Scotty Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 117	Re: Anyone have a c20/30 with rear disc brakes? Wes, It is the Eaton in the rear and Dana 44 up front, with the big Spicer locking hubs. Was there a substantial difference in the Dana 60 and the Eaton? I am not prejudiced either way, but if there is some flaw that is going to cause headaches later on, I'd like to know sooner rather than later. THX

02-13-2010, 12:45 PM	#5
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,768	Re: Anyone have a c20/30 with rear disc brakes? If it is a Chevy it will have the eaton "banjo style" rear end. GMC's had the Dana 60s. That is if it hasn't been changed. WES __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

02-13-2010, 03:40 PM	#7
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,768	Re: Anyone have a c20/30 with rear disc brakes? The eaton rear end does not have as many gear selections as the Dana 60s. Parts are also more difficult to find for the eaton. Other than that, both are good rear ends. WES __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

02-13-2010, 05:07 PM	#8
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,639	Re: Anyone have a c20/30 with rear disc brakes? There is plenty on the net for the conversion as it is quite popular with the serious offroad 4X4 guys. Here is the Google search with more info than you ever wanted on the subject. Mainly it involves using a set of mid 70's 8 lug 4x4 front rotors, 78 Elodrodo rear calipers if you want parking brakes or the mid 70's front rotors if you don't and a set of custom caliper brackets that fit the rear end you are running. Here is a link to one seller of the brackets on Ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/14-Bo...item2c5314428a I am not sure if this will fit the pre 73 rear axle, you would have to ask him that. He does do a good job of explaining things though. Last edited by mr48chev; 02-13-2010 at 05:27 PM.

02-13-2010, 06:31 PM	#9
grs Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Roanoke, Tx. Posts: 1,561	Re: Anyone have a c20/30 with rear disc brakes? Try earlyclassic.com for the rear disk brakes for you truck. I bought the kit for my truck. I have a C-10 tho. The rear calipers have emergency braces. The kit came with cables too. I had trouble with a caliper. It was not clocked correctly. The piston in the caliper has to be turned just right, or the pad won't go in correct. They sent another one , and they paid the freight. They also paid the freight to send the bad one back. When I got them on the truck one of the emergency brakes did not work. The company where they get there brake parts from sent me a new caliper, and they paid the freight both ways. Tell them what you have, and how many lugs your axles are.

02-13-2010, 06:48 PM	#10
Sinister Between Trucks... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA. Posts: 3,830	Re: Anyone have a c20/30 with rear disc brakes? Here's a setup for an Eaton. http://www.blackbirdscustomtrucks.co...x7.html#5eaton __________________ Beat it to fit, Paint it to match...

02-13-2010, 07:13 PM	#11
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,639	Re: Anyone have a c20/30 with rear disc brakes? I like Blackbeard's Caliper brackets but the last time I checked they wouldn't sell them separate. I've got a different rear end that is going under my 71 (still a Dana) and am slowly trying to collect the conversion pieces to do the brake swap. When I tow my sailboat or the other trailer the brakes I have are right at their limit.



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