disc or drums pleas help - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

JMARQUEZ_13 · 01-05-2011, 12:43 PM

I'am having a hard time deciding if i should wait off doing the disc conversion and put my money into other stuff i will need to do so i can get my truck back on the road. What do you guys think? Conversion total would be $2,250 including the boss 338 in a twenty.

JasonBird · 01-05-2011, 01:04 PM

hey there Josh,
i know the feeling...i have a 67 with all drums. i think that i have decided to hold off and just get all of the drum brakes working good and see how it goes. it's more important to me to get the sheetmetal fixed, all of the suspension and drivetrain running well. make sure all of my mechanical stuff is safe and operating correctly first and then i can start to do some of the custon stuff...lowering it, converting to disc brakes, power steering etc. my $.02 worth....

Jason

bigsnookmaster · 01-05-2011, 01:19 PM

Just remember BRAKES are the most important part of your truck! I would do the brakes before I do the rest. I run 4 wheel discs and will never have it any other way. .02

JMARQUEZ_13 · 01-05-2011, 01:20 PM

I think that is the way i"am leaning towards because i can get the truck done if i dont do the breaks.

**RenoKeene** · 01-05-2011, 01:26 PM

I'm with Greg...did all the suspension FIRST....you'll love those disks when the little princess on the cell phone pulls right out in front of you!

treveiger · 01-05-2011, 01:50 PM

why not put a 73-87 front end on the truck to get disk breaks? i think power breaks would be something to look into because the stopping will be 1000 times better an it isnt hard to do.
Posted via Mobile Device

**too much stuff** · 01-05-2011, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMARQUEZ_13

I'am having a hard time deciding if i should wait off doing the disc conversion and put my money into other stuff i will need to do so i can get my truck back on the road. What do you guys think? Conversion total would be $2,250 including the boss 338 in a twenty.

Nobody says you have to buy the wheels right now to do the conversion...

**lolife99** · 01-05-2011, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by too much stuff

Nobody says you have to buy the wheels right now to do the conversion...

X2.
Skip the freakin 20's and get your brakes working.

1970 CST STEP · 01-05-2011, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lolife99

x2.
Skip the freakin 20's and get your brakes working.

X 3!!! More important than wheels/tires

dave2953 · 01-05-2011, 08:00 PM

It never ceases to amaze me how many times I see a vehicle sitting on the side of the road with a set of nice wheels because money was spent on looks rather than making the vehicle mechanically sound. You can swap to disc brakes relatively inexpensively if you do as mentioned above and find a donor truck. Personally, rims would be the very last thing I would worry about.

Shyguy · 01-08-2011, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave2953

It never ceases to amaze me how many times I see a vehicle sitting on the side of the road with a set of nice wheels because money was spent on looks rather than making the vehicle mechanically sound. You can swap to disc brakes relatively inexpensively if you do as mentioned above and find a donor truck. Personally, rims would be the very last thing I would worry about.

Just a little off thread, but not much. One of my grandsons bought a '63 Impala that was running. The first thing he did was paint it, the second put in a super great sound system, the third real expensive tires and wheels and the fourth was have it towed home from work because it broke down because he had not done any mechanical maintenance. I sure hope he learned something from this experience.

JMARQUEZ_13 · 01-05-2011, 07:57 PM

Well it sounds like the right thing to do is brakes. I guess i will just have to wait on wheels and tires.

Longhorn Man · 01-05-2011, 08:36 PM

on top of the facts mentioned above, if you set up the suspention first, then you can get the wheels for that suspention. Even if you spent the (much) added cost of 6 lug disks, the track is wider when you convert, and the wheels you stuffed in the fenders will be smacking the fenders.
Also, it is human nature to put things off. If you get your ride all pretty and running good, and then start having fun putting dead bugs on the grill... you are WAY less likely to pull it all apart and do a big mod like this. When the truck is apart, it's a fairly simple small mod. But when it is all done, fresh paint, everything bolted in its proper location, then it is VERY easy to say "Eh, the brakes are good enough." This is the main reason my one ton STILL has drums. It's easier NOT to do it.

Do it now.

treveiger · 01-05-2011, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

on top of the facts mentioned above, if you set up the suspention first, then you can get the wheels for that suspention. Even if you spent the (much) added cost of 6 lug disks, the track is wider when you convert, and the wheels you stuffed in the fenders will be smacking the fenders.
Also, it is human nature to put things off. If you get your ride all pretty and running good, and then start having fun putting dead bugs on the grill... you are WAY less likely to pull it all apart and do a big mod like this. When the truck is apart, it's a fairly simple small mod. But when it is all done, fresh paint, everything bolted in its proper location, then it is VERY easy to say "Eh, the brakes are good enough." This is the main reason my one ton STILL has drums. It's easier NOT to do it.

Do it now.

Longhorn is a smart man listen to him

. Its funny how things can be put off unit last minute or never. My daily driver right when i got it the wipers stuck straight up when off and it blocked my sight horribly but i "got use to it" and after several years and even a warning by a cop and nagging from my family i still didnt fix them but after i started dating this girl she kept teasing me about it and so did her friends and finally went and bought the 63 dollar part and installed it in less than a hour

it was a simple fix but it didnt bother me but it shoulda been fixed once it broke.

Longhorn Man · 01-05-2011, 11:46 PM

yep... good enough for now ends up being good enough.

JMARQUEZ_13 · 01-06-2011, 12:57 PM

ya thatmakes since might as well do brakes while its all taken apart i see its way easier to get too everything that way, and i would porbably keep putting it off if i go the other way.

brad_man_72 · 01-06-2011, 02:43 PM

gas is expensive, once you start driving the wheels off of your truck you might not be able to afford any other mods

find a parts truck, I got everything I needed to swap from drums to disc 4 wheels and tires for $600, sold engine and trans then sold the bondo to the srap yard at the price of steel.

brakes brakes brakes brakes brakes brakes.

Chris4x4Gill2 · 01-06-2011, 02:57 PM

I am (was) in the exact same situation you are. I went ahead and did the disc conversion (already had factory front discs) becasue the old drums were in such bad shape it was going to require replacing everything anyway. I'm happy knowing that even though she is still in need of paint and bodywork, she will run strong and stop on a dime. That means I can drive it in the mean time without worry.

ChevLoRay · 01-06-2011, 03:06 PM

Brake upgrade/conversion was the first thing I did. Never regretted it. Still don't. Wheels? You will probably change your mind several times by the time you are ready for them. Don't get stuck with a wheel design that you may not be in love with then, as you are now.

treveiger · 01-06-2011, 05:35 PM

What parts from what vheicals can you use to convert to rear disk breaks? i thought you had to buy a aftermarket kit...
Posted via Mobile Device

profe56 · 01-08-2011, 02:14 AM

I think treveiger is right you dont need to spend a lot of money, why don't you swap 73-87 disc brake system, I did it.
CPP has an article how to do it.
the only xtra parts you'l need are ball joints, brake lines and outer sleves as well as an special adjusting sleeves.
But again see the article how to swap 73-87 disc brakes, it has a lot of pictures.

treveiger · 01-08-2011, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by profe56

I think treveiger is right you dont need to spend a lot of money, why don't you swap 73-87 disc brake system, I did it.
CPP has an article how to do it.
the only xtra parts you'l need are ball joints, brake lines and outer sleves as well as an special adjusting sleeves.
But again see the article how to swap 73-87 disc brakes, it has a lot of pictures.

Do you have a link? Whats CPP?
Thanks.

djw32 · 01-08-2011, 02:32 AM

I added a hydroboost unit to my brakes. One of the best investments I have ever made.

**lolife99** · 01-08-2011, 07:25 PM

CPP = www.classicperform.com

treveiger · 01-08-2011, 08:54 PM

thats awesome thanks!!!

01-05-2011, 12:43 PM	#1
JMARQUEZ_13 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: MARYSVILLE WA Posts: 85	disc or drums pleas help I'am having a hard time deciding if i should wait off doing the disc conversion and put my money into other stuff i will need to do so i can get my truck back on the road. What do you guys think? Conversion total would be $2,250 including the boss 338 in a twenty. __________________ Josh 1968 C-10 Shortbox

01-05-2011, 01:04 PM	#2
JasonBird '67 C-10 LWB Driver Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Andover, Kansas Posts: 380	Re: disc or drums pleas help hey there Josh, i know the feeling...i have a 67 with all drums. i think that i have decided to hold off and just get all of the drum brakes working good and see how it goes. it's more important to me to get the sheetmetal fixed, all of the suspension and drivetrain running well. make sure all of my mechanical stuff is safe and operating correctly first and then i can start to do some of the custon stuff...lowering it, converting to disc brakes, power steering etc. my $.02 worth.... Jason __________________ '67 C-10 LWB - My Build Thread '67 C-20 LWB - My Donor/ Parts truck - SOLD! '92 GMC SAFARI VAN - My Parts Go Getter '06 KIA SPORTAGE EX - My Commuter "All of this crap better make a truck!" - my wife Sue. Proud U.S.M.C. Dad!

01-05-2011, 01:19 PM	#3
bigsnookmaster Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: St.Petersburg,Fl Posts: 1,267	Re: disc or drums pleas help Just remember BRAKES are the most important part of your truck! I would do the brakes before I do the rest. I run 4 wheel discs and will never have it any other way. .02 __________________ greg http://community.webshots.com/user/68406Stepside

01-05-2011, 01:20 PM	#4
JMARQUEZ_13 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: MARYSVILLE WA Posts: 85	Re: disc or drums pleas help I think that is the way i"am leaning towards because i can get the truck done if i dont do the breaks. __________________ Josh 1968 C-10 Shortbox

01-05-2011, 01:26 PM	#5
RenoKeene Florida Edition Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Fruitland Park, FL Posts: 4,025	Re: disc or drums pleas help I'm with Greg...did all the suspension FIRST....you'll love those disks when the little princess on the cell phone pulls right out in front of you! __________________ 70 GMC Short Stepside "Rose"-An American Beauty: Factory 402/TH400, AM/FM, AC, Tilt, Tach, Buckets, Posi, PS, PB, 3-5 Drop, Complete Resto-Rod 67 C-20 Slant Back Wrecker "Mad Max" 67 C-10 Ratrod "Step-N-Wolf" 71 Serro Scotty Sportsman camper "Scotty" 97 LT1 Z28 "The Hornet" Link to more pics of "Rose" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...p?albumid=1684 Check out my "Cheap Tricks" thread and add to it if you can, lots of good info there. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=489394

01-05-2011, 01:50 PM	#6
treveiger Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: South Dakota Posts: 4,093	Re: disc or drums pleas help why not put a 73-87 front end on the truck to get disk breaks? i think power breaks would be something to look into because the stopping will be 1000 times better an it isnt hard to do. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1969 Chevy c20(Miss Hackjob)

01-05-2011, 08:00 PM	#10
dave2953 Dave's not here, man Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Winder, Georgia Posts: 2,000	Re: disc or drums pleas help It never ceases to amaze me how many times I see a vehicle sitting on the side of the road with a set of nice wheels because money was spent on looks rather than making the vehicle mechanically sound. You can swap to disc brakes relatively inexpensively if you do as mentioned above and find a donor truck. Personally, rims would be the very last thing I would worry about. __________________ - 2014 VW Jetta - 2015 VW Jetta - 1966 Ford F-250

01-05-2011, 07:57 PM	#12
JMARQUEZ_13 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: MARYSVILLE WA Posts: 85	Re: disc or drums pleas help Well it sounds like the right thing to do is brakes. I guess i will just have to wait on wheels and tires. __________________ Josh 1968 C-10 Shortbox

01-05-2011, 08:36 PM	#13
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: disc or drums pleas help on top of the facts mentioned above, if you set up the suspention first, then you can get the wheels for that suspention. Even if you spent the (much) added cost of 6 lug disks, the track is wider when you convert, and the wheels you stuffed in the fenders will be smacking the fenders. Also, it is human nature to put things off. If you get your ride all pretty and running good, and then start having fun putting dead bugs on the grill... you are WAY less likely to pull it all apart and do a big mod like this. When the truck is apart, it's a fairly simple small mod. But when it is all done, fresh paint, everything bolted in its proper location, then it is VERY easy to say "Eh, the brakes are good enough." This is the main reason my one ton STILL has drums. It's easier NOT to do it. Do it now.

01-05-2011, 11:46 PM	#15
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Re: disc or drums pleas help yep... good enough for now ends up being good enough.

01-06-2011, 12:57 PM	#16
JMARQUEZ_13 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: MARYSVILLE WA Posts: 85	Re: disc or drums pleas help ya thatmakes since might as well do brakes while its all taken apart i see its way easier to get too everything that way, and i would porbably keep putting it off if i go the other way. __________________ Josh 1968 C-10 Shortbox

01-06-2011, 02:43 PM	#17
brad_man_72 the boat guy Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: springfield mo Posts: 2,339	Re: disc or drums pleas help gas is expensive, once you start driving the wheels off of your truck you might not be able to afford any other mods find a parts truck, I got everything I needed to swap from drums to disc 4 wheels and tires for $600, sold engine and trans then sold the bondo to the srap yard at the price of steel. brakes brakes brakes brakes brakes brakes. __________________ 67, swb, fleet, tach, throttle, 5.3, 4l60e, 3.73's, fuel cell, 5 lug, p.d.b., 4-6 drop. great little truck 66, stevens drag/ski 18' silouette, 350, 2.02 doublehump heads. comp extreme marine 278 cam, vette 7 fin valve covers, old polished edelbrock intake, velvetdrive, casale v-drive, adj cavitation plate. 28, model a rpu project,

01-06-2011, 02:57 PM	#18
Chris4x4Gill2 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 794	Re: disc or drums pleas help I am (was) in the exact same situation you are. I went ahead and did the disc conversion (already had factory front discs) becasue the old drums were in such bad shape it was going to require replacing everything anyway. I'm happy knowing that even though she is still in need of paint and bodywork, she will run strong and stop on a dime. That means I can drive it in the mean time without worry.

01-06-2011, 03:06 PM	#19
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: disc or drums pleas help Brake upgrade/conversion was the first thing I did. Never regretted it. Still don't. Wheels? You will probably change your mind several times by the time you are ready for them. Don't get stuck with a wheel design that you may not be in love with then, as you are now. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

01-06-2011, 05:35 PM	#20
treveiger Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: South Dakota Posts: 4,093	Re: disc or drums pleas help What parts from what vheicals can you use to convert to rear disk breaks? i thought you had to buy a aftermarket kit... Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1969 Chevy c20(Miss Hackjob) Last edited by treveiger; 01-06-2011 at 05:37 PM.



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01-08-2011, 02:14 AM	#21
profe56 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Chula Vista California Posts: 526	Re: disc or drums pleas help I think treveiger is right you dont need to spend a lot of money, why don't you swap 73-87 disc brake system, I did it. CPP has an article how to do it. the only xtra parts you'l need are ball joints, brake lines and outer sleves as well as an special adjusting sleeves. But again see the article how to swap 73-87 disc brakes, it has a lot of pictures.

01-08-2011, 02:32 AM	#23
djw32 Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: So.Cal Posts: 542	Re: disc or drums pleas help I added a hydroboost unit to my brakes. One of the best investments I have ever made.

01-08-2011, 07:25 PM	#24
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,698	Re: disc or drums pleas help CPP = www.classicperform.com __________________ Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

01-08-2011, 08:54 PM	#25
treveiger Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: South Dakota Posts: 4,093	Re: disc or drums pleas help thats awesome thanks!!! __________________ 1969 Chevy c20(Miss Hackjob)

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