Disk brake conversion.

[Cat Fuzz]

Hi all. Kinda new here. I tried searching old posts, but man, what a chore.

Anyways. I'm thinking of converting my 69 Chev C20 to front disk brakes. New drums are very expensive and I figure I might be able to do the conversion for not much more money using wrecking yard parts.

Theres a 75 C20 at a self serve yard here in town. What do I need to get from it? Control arms? Drag link? Tie rods?

Thanks.

[BLACK AND BLUE 67-72]

Spindles also. I am not sure about balljoints or the A-arms, but possibily those too.

[Cat Fuzz]

Yeah, I figured I'd need spindles, rotors, calipers. But I've heard talk of swapping ball joints or whole controls arms then some people say to get the whole crossmember from spindle to spindle. Its just too confusing and I'm on a tight budget. Also, I can't spend weeks on this project since my truck is my only ride.

[BLACK AND BLUE 67-72]

I am pretty sure that you would have to swap ball joints, but I do not know if they will fit in the original control arms.

[adamls]

Get the entire front crossmember and anything attached to it. Not sure about C-20's but with C-10 you can just swap the entire crossmember. It will bolt right in.

[crazy longhorn]

If your crossmember is in good shape(no cracks or rot), you dont need to replace it. On the 3/4 tons, they use the same balljoints/tietods fro 71 to about 86. They also retained the steel a arm bushings that the 1/2 tons gave up in 73. to bolt the spindles on, you need the upper & lower balljoint assys, tie rods(innners,outers, & sleeves). the center link is also a pc I would grab. As a rule, 71 on should go on the center link. Your steer stops will be different on the lower a arms, so you can grind the stops on the spindles, or use the later bottom arms. You will find the lines & hoses routed differently on the later truck.....you can adapt the later setup with a little work(my 69 has 75 brake pcs)......lines prop valve, master & all. Another option would be to set up like the 71-72s on the brakes(no doubt an easier route), & just weld the tabs for the hoses where needed. You will need to change the master, & prop valve for the disc brakes. Good luck,crazyL

[Cat Fuzz]

Ok, got another prospect for a donor vehicle for my brake conversion.

A 73 Suburban 3/4 ton. Has 8 lugs just like my 69, aren't these the same as trucks as far as front ends go? Can I just drop the X member and swap them out?

I can get this one cheaper and its in much better condition.

Thanks!

[crazy longhorn]

Yes, the pcs from ther "Burb" will work. You can replace the complete crossmember assy......i havent done it that way, but from what I understand, you will have a couple holes to "egg out" then the rest bolt up. Good luck,crazyL

[Cat Fuzz]

Thanks.

BTW, GEEZ this board is active! I go away for an hour or so and I gotta dig to almost the second page of threads to find mine! lol :p

[adamls]

If you click on the little button up top that says "user cp" it will show all your posts. You can then click on the one you want to see instead of searching for it.