Desperate need of help....Blackbird's rear disc conversion kit

[FLYNAVY30]

So a few years ago, I bought a rear disc conversion kit from Blackbird's Custom Trucks (forum vendor/sponsor) for my '72 C20 Suburban (8 lug/ Dana 60 rear). Ive been running the set up for four years now, and unfortunately need to replace one of the rotors, but have no idea what rotors came in the kit, as that was apparently a closely guarded secret so that people would not duplicate their kit. I've tried numerous '89 and later Chevy 8 lug front discs with no success. Blackbirds unfortunately went out of business two years ago, and the forum member who handled their interactions on the forum hasn't been active since 2015. If anyone can offer some assistance, it would be greatly appreciated as this issue has had my truck sidelined for over a month.

Thanks,
Greg

[GR8-68]

This problem is exactly why I do not buy these strange name brand products, I was tempted to but then you wonder if you will be able to get replacement parts later down the road plus knowing what brake pads you will need. Sorry you have had to side line your ride, hopefully you find the answer for closure.

[FLYNAVY30]

I agree with you....although I will say, this kit has been excellent and it was my mistake for not verifying the part number for replacement discs after I purchased. The calipers and pads are simply standard GM D52s from the front. I did find an old thread in the Suburban section where someone mentioned that the kit used later model K20 front disc. I then just googled "K20 front disc" and went to the "images" tab and started scrolling. The rotor is very distinct looking as it has reliefs cut into the hat.....which I had never seen before. With this method, I managed to find two part numbers that look like they should work....Raybestos 5014R and Duralast BR5523. My local Auto Zone had the Duralast in store, so I placed an order last night and will pick it up this morning...Ill let you know if it ends up being the correct part in the event that someone else has the same problem and stumbles onto this thread.

[biketopia]

Well that's sweet you were able to do some detective work and find what you hopefully need.

[jeffahart]

And the reason is... the rotors may have been machined for custom fit. They did that sort of thing. So you may be disappointed that you cannot get an off the shelf replacement. I hope that's not the case.

[Acorn]

I bought a kit with the el dorado calipers from them several years ago and I am almost certain that the rotors were just off the shelf, square body, k20 rotors.
Let us know if those part numbers work out for you.

[Billhilly]

I asked when I got mine and I've got written down 71-78 3/4 ton front 4X4 rotors. Your Raybestos number looks good.

[FLYNAVY30]

Good news, that above mentioned Raybestos and Duralast number both work....K20 front discs....not positive on the year but I got everything up and running perfectly yesterday using the Duralast part number as thats what Napa had in stock, but they are the same rotor from different manufacturers.

Hopefully this thread helps someone else out in the future. Its too bad they went out of business, it really is a nice simple kit. My only complaint was that it didn't include longer wheel studs and I had to do a lot of hunting to find ones that would work.

[RPOZ11]

Pics of the rotor(s) that you are removing ?

[FLYNAVY30]

don't have a pic....it was entirely my fault....in my rush late one Friday night to get the car back on the road for cars & coffee on saturday, I put the inside brake pad in backwards....so the backing was rubbing on the disc.....10 miles out, 10 miles back, it gouged up the rotor pretty good.

Fortunately, after a month of searching around, and multiple wrong rotors, I found the right one!