1970 c20 disc brake swap

[paulbrgr9999]

I am thinking of installing the disc brake swap on my c20. I have gotten estimates from shops that want 2000 to 3000 grand to do it for me. Now my question is: is this truely a bolt on kit? No welding, no fabrication, no rocket science?

I am not a trained and experienced mechanic. I have never done more than oil changes, brake pads, tune ups, etc. Can this be installed by someone without a lot of experience with front end work? Or should I bite the bullet open my wallet and let an expert do the work?

please advise,

paul

[swamp rat]

Don't know the year of your truck but the 72 is stock with disks, just replace your parts with stock 72 parts and it may be cheaper, get a disk proportining valve from inline tube.

Probably a lot of people here have done this so try the search feature and see if you can find write ups on it.

[71swb4x4]

swamp, according to the thread title it's a 1970.

Paul, it is bolt on. You will probably have to bench bleed the master, bleed brakes, and have an alignment done, but you can figure the first two out and pay someone to align it.

[paulbrgr9999]

Originally Posted by 71swb4x4

swamp, according to the thread title it's a 1970.

Paul, it is bolt on. You will probably have to bench bleed the master, bleed brakes, and have an alignment done, but you can figure the first two out and pay someone to align it.

Im ok with bleeding brakes. Did it on my motorcycle once. So I can just remove all old components with no special tools and install the new ones.

I sent an email to the supplier asking to see the detailed install instructions and they have never responded. That does not increase my confidence in the supplier or the simplicity of doing the install. Ill try a phone call.

I looked at a lot of threads on the forum. None of them gave detailed instructions on how to install the swap I.e. first do this, second do this, now remove this etc.

thanks for the responses.

[hopped up]

It's easy to install, but it is very important that it's done correctly. You don't wanna be unsure when it comes to brakes. Maybe have someone that has experience help make sure it's done right

[paulbrgr9999]

Originally Posted by hopped up

It's easy to install, but it is very important that it's done correctly. You don't wanna be unsure when it comes to brakes. Maybe have someone that has experience help make sure it's done right

I could not agree more! Where to find said person is the problem. You dont find to many brakes experts just hanging around waiting to be asked to help.

[71swb4x4]

Any special tools needed you should be able to rent stour local auto parts store. Ball joints can be tricky to press in if you've never done it, but a YouTube video would probably give you enough knowledge to do it.

[JointTech]

ball joints are a nightmare to remove from the a-arms. make sure you leave yourself a lot of time. also they are usually rivetted in so unless they have been replaced before youll need to have some kind of grinder to remove the rivets.
The rest of the work isnt technical or difficult. The only thing to pay attention to is the wheel bearings and torque on the wheel nuts.

[Average Joe]

If you have the time, patience, and a BFH you can do this. A pickle fork is sometimes handy as well as a floor jack. Keep researching on this site and Im sure you will find someone that has documented this swap. You might also want to replace your control arm bushings at the same time. Whenever I do a disk brake swap I replace any other items with wear also. Have you considered sourcing your parts from a newer donor that has discs already? You could have the rotors turned but buy new calipers,ball joints,hoses, and master cylinder. Inspect the spindles and booster and revive with some Krylon. If you dont already have a front sway bar grab that too. They make a huge difference. Just take your time gathering parts,clean and paint any old parts, and do lots of research. You will save plenty of cash and feel good too.

[frank69]

A friend of mine has a 71 c-20 he's parting out, he would probably sell everything u need for conversion. pm me or call 702-285-3912 thanks frank

[paulbrgr9999]

Originally Posted by frank69

A friend of mine has a 71 c-20 he's parting out, he would probably sell everything u need for conversion. pm me or call 702-285-3912 thanks frank

Were going to be in laughlin/bullhead city starting on june 14th for a week. Thats an interesting proposal. What would he want for all the parts I need?
paul

[Former member Yoder213]

its pretty simple if you find the swap threads, take their advice, and be relaxed and thoughtful when you proceed,
Just did mine and it worked well, one month of testing and I was out with the yotas and jeeps rock crawling without too many issues, once I lost brakes because my remanned master is bad.

that's the worst part, new is pricey as you see. remanufactured is a gamble,

[paulbrgr9999]

Originally Posted by Yoder213

its pretty simple if you find the swap threads, take their advice, and be relaxed and thoughtful when you proceed,
Just did mine and it worked well, one month of testing and I was out with the yotas and jeeps rock crawling without too many issues, once I lost brakes because my remanned master is bad.

that's the worst part, new is pricey as you see. remanufactured is a gamble,

What supplier did you use? Did they support the product? Provide detailed instructions?

thanks

[budnikguy]

It is not a difficult swap, and if the member in NV cannot help you out...I have a 71 or 72 that would be a direct swap for you also..

[paulbrgr9999]

Originally Posted by budnikguy

It is not a difficult swap, and if the member in NV cannot help you out...I have a 71 or 72 that would be a direct swap for you also..

Im a lot closer to riverside than laughlin. Are you busy this sunday after about 2pm? I should be coming back from apple valley around that time.


paul
714 829 8983

[ERASER5]

If someone is parting out a C20 truck go the easy route. Unbolt the entire crossmember and roll it out. Take the whole darn thing. 2 brake lines (cut those) 2 shock upper bolts, and about 12 or 14 large easy to work with bolts and roll it out. You could even bolt it as is into your truck. I would rebiuld/ replace wear items, but you could just go with it. And best of all, EVERYTHING will be stock!

[Former member Yoder213]

I've been searching craiglist for a while and saw an add that mentioned 3/4 axles. that's my supplier

The guy bought them for a build then wanted to go one ton and lucky for me didn't know what he had except they were from a 73 heavy 3/4.

The front had stock discs and I took everything from the knuckle oout, spindle, hub, disc brake bracket, rotors and calipers. it all slid onto my d44 5cf without mods, or much effort aside from the obvious. be sure to check bearings and seal.

best tip is learn what to look for from the forums, try to match your axle, and don't take what they say on craigslist too serious. they may think its one thing, but then you look at it and its something different.

I got both front and rear for 300, and my mechanic would buy just the rear for 500

[budnikguy]

It is still in a truck at the moment, so I would need a bit more time to get it pulled...lmk your time frame

Originally Posted by paulbrgr9999

Im a lot closer to riverside than laughlin. Are you busy this sunday after about 2pm? I should be coming back from apple valley around that time.


paul
714 829 8983

[paulbrgr9999]

Originally Posted by budnikguy

It is still in a truck at the moment, so I would need a bit more time to get it pulled...lmk your time frame

No rush at all. We go out to the desert to ride a couple of times a month. Probably go again in a couple of weeks. If you want I can come by on the way back.

paul

[69Rumbler]

Budnikguy is the man ! He sold me my swap then I took everything to a place called Vally Brake in El Monte . They swapped everything for me ( was going to due it my self but wanted it done right ) lol ... For 400 some thing they replaced a lot of the parts and did an aliment . Cool people and due good work . It was like 140 each side . I think

[paulbrgr9999]

Originally Posted by 69Rumbler

Budnikguy is the man ! He sold me my swap then I took everything to a place called Vally Brake in El Monte . They swapped everything for me ( was going to due it my self but wanted it done right ) lol ... For 400 some thing they replaced a lot of the parts and did an aliment . Cool people and due good work . It was like 140 each side . I think

Can you give me the details? Phone number, address. It would probably take me a month of weekends to do the swap myself. All that time my truck would be useless.

paul

[jocko]

wow. that's great news, and that sounds like a good deal. Congrats!

[69Rumbler]

http://http://mvalleybrakeandwheelcom.spmd.mobi

They did it in 2 days they do good work . You want you can give me 5 bucks and you can test out my brakes lol

[paulbrgr9999]

Originally Posted by 69Rumbler

http://http://mvalleybrakeandwheelcom.spmd.mobi

They did it in 2 days they do good work . You want you can give me 5 bucks and you can test out my brakes lol

That site is not coming up when I click on it. Says it moved.

thanks,

paul

[69Rumbler]

(626) 478-0192
El Monte, CA

Vally brake