C20 disc brake conversion advice - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**67 twins** · 03-09-2019, 11:20 PM

I am a new member here seeking advice on disc brake conversion kits.
I purchased a C20 with totally inoperable service brakes and so would like to just convert to disc. What I am looking for is advice from members who have performed this swap, what kit they may have used & why one kit might be better than another? Thanks

GASoline71 · 03-10-2019, 12:10 AM

Find a parting out or wrecked 71-72 C20 as they had disc brakes from the factory and swap everything over.

Gary

**Steeveedee** · 03-10-2019, 11:32 AM

^ Yup. That would be the least expensive way to go.

**67 twins** · 03-13-2019, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GASoline71

Find a parting out or wrecked 71-72 C20 as they had disc brakes from the factory and swap everything over.

Gary

What about a 73-87? I ask because the Performance online kit says it uses 71-87 ball joints, leading one to believe you can switch out everything between the control arms. Is this the case?
Then I would have a GM 14 bolt to address the lack of gearset availability for the Eaton axle & the rear brakes at the same time.
Unless I am wrong then all I would need is a brake booster & master cylinder setup to fit the 67 (I don't think the 73up will fit)
This would also give me other goodies like power steering
Anything wrong with my thinking here?

Bigdav160 · 03-13-2019, 09:34 AM

Take the whole front crossmember from a square body. Drill holes where necessary. With disc you'll want power assist. The square body vacuum booster isn't a bolt in. Hydraboost is a worthy addition with a little fabrication.

JustToxic · 03-13-2019, 10:15 AM

If you replace just the ball joints, the control arms are similar enough to work. I'd find a square body knuckle and use all of its brake parts. I'd recommend switching to power brakes as well, it'll be safer in the long run. I put all 1979 C20 brake parts on a '68 C20 a while back, just had to change ball joints to make it work. It's a pretty simple swap as long as you buy all the parts you need.

franken · 03-13-2019, 10:16 PM

My understanding is 71-87 trucks and up to 91 Blazers and Suburbans (still squares). Snag the whole thing crossmember and all. Bolt in drill a few holes.
There are tons of squares in scrapyards untouched because they made them for so long.

03-09-2019, 11:20 PM	#1
67 twins Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Herculaneum MO (20 minutes south of St. Louis Posts: 641	C20 disc brake conversion advice I am a new member here seeking advice on disc brake conversion kits. I purchased a C20 with totally inoperable service brakes and so would like to just convert to disc. What I am looking for is advice from members who have performed this swap, what kit they may have used & why one kit might be better than another? Thanks __________________ 67 C10 283 T5 swapped longbed fleetside = wife's daily driver 67 C20 292 (originally a 250)4speed longbed fleetside w/original wooden bed=my project truck 67 C10 283+.060 (so a 292 as well)T5 swapped longbed fleetside=my DD 72 C1500 Sierra Grande 350 TH350 longbed fleetside=wife's fair weather truck Can you tell we are fans of longbed fleetsides & 67s Chris

03-10-2019, 11:32 AM	#3
Steeveedee Who Changed This? Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 10,582	Re: C20 disc brake conversion advice ^ Yup. That would be the least expensive way to go. __________________ ~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA

03-13-2019, 09:34 AM	#5
Bigdav160 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Klein Texas Posts: 3,852	Re: C20 disc brake conversion advice Take the whole front crossmember from a square body. Drill holes where necessary. With disc you'll want power assist. The square body vacuum booster isn't a bolt in. Hydraboost is a worthy addition with a little fabrication. __________________ My Classics: '72 K20 Suburban + '65 Dodge Town Wagon '72 Corvette Roadster +'67 Corvette Roadster '73 Z-28 Camaro '63 Ford SWB Uni Pickup '50 Ford Coupe

03-13-2019, 10:15 AM	#6
JustToxic Registered User Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Elkhart, Indiana Posts: 292	Re: C20 disc brake conversion advice If you replace just the ball joints, the control arms are similar enough to work. I'd find a square body knuckle and use all of its brake parts. I'd recommend switching to power brakes as well, it'll be safer in the long run. I put all 1979 C20 brake parts on a '68 C20 a while back, just had to change ball joints to make it work. It's a pretty simple swap as long as you buy all the parts you need. __________________ 1967 Chevy C20 to K20 Conversion "Simply Toxic" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=749409 1971 Chevy C20 Custom Camper LS Swap http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=763775

03-13-2019, 10:16 PM	#7
franken Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Somewhere Posts: 3,101	Re: C20 disc brake conversion advice My understanding is 71-87 trucks and up to 91 Blazers and Suburbans (still squares). Snag the whole thing crossmember and all. Bolt in drill a few holes. There are tons of squares in scrapyards untouched because they made them for so long.



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