easy disc brake swap - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

dream68 · 01-04-2003, 05:41 PM

i have just swapped my drum brakesover to disc brakes by using the front pieces off a 1988 chev pickup. all i had to do was replace my bottom a-arm from a 1/2 ton to a 3/4 ton a-arm. the top balljoint was the same one but the bottom one had to be changed to a 88 ball joint. it pops right into the 3/4 ton a-arm. it only cost me 140.00 to do it as well. then your steering linkage just has to be adjusted to fit. i hope this helps somebody.

jmanz69 · 01-04-2003, 05:58 PM

You have any pics? I am interested in how it looks.

dream68 · 01-04-2003, 06:03 PM

i dont have any pictures yet, but will soon.

JHickson6 · 01-04-2003, 06:28 PM

Damn thats a good idea, let us know how they perform and wear over time!!! My hats off to you!!

dream68 · 01-05-2003, 03:26 AM

hello JHickson6: thanks for the reply. another good thing about this swap is the parts needed for this swap are the parts from a 1988-1993 truck including ball joints which are about 1/2 the price of 1968 ball joints.

ChopTop · 01-05-2003, 05:43 AM

So what you used was an 88 and up spindel? with which lower balljoint, the 88 and up half, or the older 3/4 balljoint. All this utilizing the older upper control arm using the halfton balljoint?

Definetly feel the 6 lug updated adaptation may be within reach here using the newer semi-floating 14 bolt rear.!!!!!!
(light 3/4ton, - 2500 series)

dream68 · 01-05-2003, 11:54 AM

hello Chop Top: the 88 spindel, rotor, calipers, and ball joints were used in the swap. but you need a 3/4 ton 68 a-arm instead of the 1/2 ton one. the bottom 88 balljoint fits into the 68 a-arm, and the top 88 ball joint fits on the 68 a-arm. the top 88 ball joint you half to grind the rivets off of the 88 a-arm and then bolt it to the 68 a-arm. hope this clears it up. thanks!!!

dmurphy68 · 01-05-2003, 01:16 PM

can you post some pics love to see. did toy have to change your lines or power booster just wanting to know. love to do it if i can do it for cheep. the 900.00 kits are not for me
thanks
Darren

70c10 · 01-05-2003, 01:36 PM

dream 69, Welcome to the board from Maryland. This sounds very interesting!. We would love to see some pics when you can. I don't drive my truck enough to justify the $700 kits either but would go for half of that if it's as simple as you say. I'm assuming you used the 88' 4x4 brakes to retain 6 lugs?. Did you use the newer style Master Cylinder and booster? Thanks.....Jim

ChopTop · 01-05-2003, 02:16 PM

I wonder if the 76 3/4 ton lower arm with do? Thats whats under mine now. I would love to try this setup. That would give me more reason to re-install the older style upper arm with new bushings. Is this going to change my track width any??

dream68 · 01-05-2003, 02:20 PM

Hello chop top,
I believe the '76 3/4 ton lower arm is exactly the same but has a higher rubber snubber on it. So in my opinion it shouldn't change the track width any.
dream68

crazy longhorn · 01-05-2003, 02:46 PM

Dream 68, thats an interesting swap! how did the tierods work out with the 88 spindles?(or better put...which ones did you use?)

RON WOODGEARD · 01-05-2003, 05:56 PM

Dream68, Welcome aboard !!!!

That's the way I tried to do it, but didn't know the 3/4 ton was different. A friend gave me 2-1/2" drop spindles off of a newer truck, I bought everything to do the switch, But it came to a stop when I found out the lower ball joints were different, No one around here knew how to get around it. I went to Tuckers in Las Vegas and bought the complete disc brake,spindle kit from them.
Wish I would have known this then. would have saved me about $600.00.

That's nice about a board such as this, With so many people doing this stuff we learn most of the time the easy way instead of the hard way.....

dream68 · 01-05-2003, 06:39 PM

hello 70C10: i am going to use the master cylinder and booster off a 70 1/2 ton. will work just fine.

ChopTop · 01-05-2003, 07:44 PM

I don't think that is going to provide you with enough fluid volume for the calipers.

crazy longhorn · 01-05-2003, 07:48 PM

2nd that chop top......the calipers will hang also with the residual valve on the drum master......

dream68 · 01-05-2003, 07:57 PM

ok guys, which year master do you suggest?

ChopTop · 01-05-2003, 08:24 PM

71-72 I think would be the best, unless someone else has found another one that will bolt on our trucks.

crazy longhorn · 01-05-2003, 08:29 PM

dream 68, i have always been a beleiver in peel the parts off the same truck if you can. My 69 longhorn has ALL the pcs off a 75 C10(master, lines,hoses,prop valve,calipers,reardiff/brakes......yep, its a 1/2 ton ride now! I couldnt say for sure on your combo, but i dont like to mix em. Generally, the pcs that were designed together tend to work best together. Good luck.....crazyL

dream68 · 01-06-2003, 08:05 PM

Crazy Longhorn: sorry so late getting back. i used the steering linkage from the 68. the tie rod ends fit the 88 spindle .

crazy longhorn · 01-06-2003, 08:21 PM

Thats cool, its sounds like it will get around all the center link/tierod issues that are involved with using the 71-72,or 73-87 pcs on the older trucks!

GMC JUNKIE TOO · 01-06-2003, 11:36 PM

Dream68 youve got me thinking. Chevy made 6lug 2wd 3/4ton truck 88 up, so would the balljoints and evreything still work, I am wondering if the 6lug spindle is the same as the fivelug so i wouldent have to change the rearend.

dream68 · 01-07-2003, 01:19 AM

GMC JUNKIE TOO: my 68 chev was a 6 lug before the swap , and is after the swap. all parts work as i have stated before.....

dream68 · 01-07-2003, 01:20 AM

the 6 lug is the same...

HarrisonTX · 04-28-2006, 05:35 AM

Hello
What a great post
I have a '69 3/4 custom camper, would i just need to get parts from a newer 3/4ton? Thanks!

01-04-2003, 05:41 PM	#1
dream68 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: kelowna b.c. canada Posts: 75	easy disc brake swap i have just swapped my drum brakesover to disc brakes by using the front pieces off a 1988 chev pickup. all i had to do was replace my bottom a-arm from a 1/2 ton to a 3/4 ton a-arm. the top balljoint was the same one but the bottom one had to be changed to a 88 ball joint. it pops right into the 3/4 ton a-arm. it only cost me 140.00 to do it as well. then your steering linkage just has to be adjusted to fit. i hope this helps somebody. __________________ '68 Chev C-10 '91 Western Star (workin wheels) Just an ole time truckin idiot! Jim G.

01-04-2003, 06:03 PM	#3
dream68 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: kelowna b.c. canada Posts: 75	i dont have any pictures yet, but will soon. __________________ '68 Chev C-10 '91 Western Star (workin wheels) Just an ole time truckin idiot! Jim G.

01-04-2003, 06:28 PM	#4
JHickson6 I Love This Stuff! Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 739	Damn thats a good idea, let us know how they perform and wear over time!!! My hats off to you!! __________________ My Rides 1967 C10 In Pieces for now 1985 Ford B700 SourPuss Bus - BIG BLUE 2003 Silverado CITY WORKER YELLOW!!

01-05-2003, 03:26 AM	#5
dream68 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: kelowna b.c. canada Posts: 75	hello JHickson6: thanks for the reply. another good thing about this swap is the parts needed for this swap are the parts from a 1988-1993 truck including ball joints which are about 1/2 the price of 1968 ball joints. __________________ '68 Chev C-10 '91 Western Star (workin wheels) Just an ole time truckin idiot! Jim G.

01-05-2003, 05:43 AM	#6
ChopTop Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: KINGWOOD TEXAS Posts: 515	So what you used was an 88 and up spindel? with which lower balljoint, the 88 and up half, or the older 3/4 balljoint. All this utilizing the older upper control arm using the halfton balljoint? Definetly feel the 6 lug updated adaptation may be within reach here using the newer semi-floating 14 bolt rear.!!!!!! (light 3/4ton, - 2500 series) __________________ Member of the "Old Farts Club"

01-04-2003, 05:58 PM	#2
jmanz69 Careful, they attack... Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Waterford, MI, USA Posts: 1,107	You have any pics? I am interested in how it looks.

01-05-2003, 11:54 AM	#7
dream68 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: kelowna b.c. canada Posts: 75	hello Chop Top: the 88 spindel, rotor, calipers, and ball joints were used in the swap. but you need a 3/4 ton 68 a-arm instead of the 1/2 ton one. the bottom 88 balljoint fits into the 68 a-arm, and the top 88 ball joint fits on the 68 a-arm. the top 88 ball joint you half to grind the rivets off of the 88 a-arm and then bolt it to the 68 a-arm. hope this clears it up. thanks!!! __________________ '68 Chev C-10 '91 Western Star (workin wheels) Just an ole time truckin idiot! Jim G.

01-05-2003, 01:16 PM	#8
dmurphy68 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Middletown ohio Posts: 1,058	can you post some pics love to see. did toy have to change your lines or power booster just wanting to know. love to do it if i can do it for cheep. the 900.00 kits are not for me thanks Darren

01-05-2003, 01:36 PM	#9
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,856	dream 69, Welcome to the board from Maryland. This sounds very interesting!. We would love to see some pics when you can. I don't drive my truck enough to justify the $700 kits either but would go for half of that if it's as simple as you say. I'm assuming you used the 88' 4x4 brakes to retain 6 lugs?. Did you use the newer style Master Cylinder and booster? Thanks.....Jim __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads Last edited by 70c10; 01-05-2003 at 02:17 PM.

01-05-2003, 02:16 PM	#10
ChopTop Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: KINGWOOD TEXAS Posts: 515	I wonder if the 76 3/4 ton lower arm with do? Thats whats under mine now. I would love to try this setup. That would give me more reason to re-install the older style upper arm with new bushings. Is this going to change my track width any?? __________________ Member of the "Old Farts Club"

01-05-2003, 02:20 PM	#11
dream68 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: kelowna b.c. canada Posts: 75	Hello chop top, I believe the '76 3/4 ton lower arm is exactly the same but has a higher rubber snubber on it. So in my opinion it shouldn't change the track width any. dream68 __________________ '68 Chev C-10 '91 Western Star (workin wheels) Just an ole time truckin idiot! Jim G.

01-05-2003, 02:46 PM	#12
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	Dream 68, thats an interesting swap! how did the tierods work out with the 88 spindles?(or better put...which ones did you use?) __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

01-05-2003, 05:56 PM	#13
RON WOODGEARD Resident Young Old Dude ! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Nevada Posts: 1,948	Dream68, Welcome aboard !!!! That's the way I tried to do it, but didn't know the 3/4 ton was different. A friend gave me 2-1/2" drop spindles off of a newer truck, I bought everything to do the switch, But it came to a stop when I found out the lower ball joints were different, No one around here knew how to get around it. I went to Tuckers in Las Vegas and bought the complete disc brake,spindle kit from them. Wish I would have known this then. would have saved me about $600.00. That's nice about a board such as this, With so many people doing this stuff we learn most of the time the easy way instead of the hard way.....

01-05-2003, 06:39 PM	#14
dream68 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: kelowna b.c. canada Posts: 75	hello 70C10: i am going to use the master cylinder and booster off a 70 1/2 ton. will work just fine. __________________ '68 Chev C-10 '91 Western Star (workin wheels) Just an ole time truckin idiot! Jim G.

01-05-2003, 07:44 PM	#15
ChopTop Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: KINGWOOD TEXAS Posts: 515	Drum master on Calipers? I don't think that is going to provide you with enough fluid volume for the calipers. __________________ Member of the "Old Farts Club"



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01-05-2003, 07:48 PM	#16
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	2nd that chop top......the calipers will hang also with the residual valve on the drum master...... __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

01-05-2003, 07:57 PM	#17
dream68 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: kelowna b.c. canada Posts: 75	ok guys, which year master do you suggest? __________________ '68 Chev C-10 '91 Western Star (workin wheels) Just an ole time truckin idiot! Jim G.

01-05-2003, 08:24 PM	#18
ChopTop Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: KINGWOOD TEXAS Posts: 515	71-72 I think would be the best, unless someone else has found another one that will bolt on our trucks. __________________ Member of the "Old Farts Club"

01-05-2003, 08:29 PM	#19
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	dream 68, i have always been a beleiver in peel the parts off the same truck if you can. My 69 longhorn has ALL the pcs off a 75 C10(master, lines,hoses,prop valve,calipers,reardiff/brakes......yep, its a 1/2 ton ride now! I couldnt say for sure on your combo, but i dont like to mix em. Generally, the pcs that were designed together tend to work best together. Good luck.....crazyL __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

01-06-2003, 08:05 PM	#20
dream68 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: kelowna b.c. canada Posts: 75	Crazy Longhorn: sorry so late getting back. i used the steering linkage from the 68. the tie rod ends fit the 88 spindle . __________________ '68 Chev C-10 '91 Western Star (workin wheels) Just an ole time truckin idiot! Jim G.

01-06-2003, 08:21 PM	#21
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	Thats cool, its sounds like it will get around all the center link/tierod issues that are involved with using the 71-72,or 73-87 pcs on the older trucks! __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

01-06-2003, 11:36 PM	#22
GMC JUNKIE TOO THE QUICKER FIXERUPER Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ok Posts: 615	Dream68 youve got me thinking. Chevy made 6lug 2wd 3/4ton truck 88 up, so would the balljoints and evreything still work, I am wondering if the 6lug spindle is the same as the fivelug so i wouldent have to change the rearend.

01-07-2003, 01:19 AM	#23
dream68 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: kelowna b.c. canada Posts: 75	GMC JUNKIE TOO: my 68 chev was a 6 lug before the swap , and is after the swap. all parts work as i have stated before..... __________________ '68 Chev C-10 '91 Western Star (workin wheels) Just an ole time truckin idiot! Jim G.

01-07-2003, 01:20 AM	#24
dream68 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: kelowna b.c. canada Posts: 75	the 6 lug is the same... __________________ '68 Chev C-10 '91 Western Star (workin wheels) Just an ole time truckin idiot! Jim G.

04-28-2006, 05:35 AM	#25
HarrisonTX Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Waco TX Posts: 247	Re: easy disc brake swap Hello What a great post I have a '69 3/4 custom camper, would i just need to get parts from a newer 3/4ton? Thanks! __________________ '69 custom/camper '74 260z 302 chevy/tko500 swap in progrss '79 Malibu 355 all forged 4 speed car. '86 k5 blazer '06 Duramax

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