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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Lakewood, Co.
Posts: 219
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Front Disc Brakes?
My 1970 Jimmy 4x4 has disc brakes on the front. From researching, it looks like 1970 still had drum brakes, and that they didn't go to disc until 1971.
My question is, how do I know if it is a disc conversion, or a newer axle with disc brakes? In either case, do they use the same rotors and calipers? Can I just get some rotors and calipers from Napa? I ordered ball joints from LMC and they seem to fit like they're the correct ones. One difference I did notice, the picture on the LMC website shows the tie rod end nuts facing up, but on my truck they are facing down. Would y'all recommend getting blank rotors or drilled / slotted rotors?
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My toys: 1971 GMC Jimmy 2008 Hummer H3 Adventure 2003 HD Road King |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Parsons, KS
Posts: 160
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Re: Front Disc Brakes?
70's had drum brakes, so it's a conversion or as you mentioned, a total axle replacement. Regardless, you should be able to take them to Napa and they will be able to match them up. Find the numbers that are stamped on the axle housing. They will tell us what it is. Post up a few pics as well if you can. As far as the ball joints, I have not seen one with the nuts facing down. Another reason the codes or pics would be helpful for identification. Blank rotors are just fine IMO unless you are going to be doing something other than normal driving all the time.
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BR549 |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Great White North
Posts: 1,520
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Re: Front Disc Brakes?
Interesting, the Dana44 front axles I have seen have the tierods pointing down so that the nut is on the bottom ...
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Jeff. '72 Blazer K5 "Camshaft opinions are like belly buttons; everyone has one and no two are alike" My Blazer Build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=626752 My Engine Build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=637336 |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 1,513
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Re: Front Disc Brakes?
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Lakewood, Co.
Posts: 219
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Re: Front Disc Brakes?
I didn't look this morning, but I will. The one pic that shows "44-5F" was taken in 2014, and I didn't look extensively for any other markings, but I will when I get out this morning. I have replaced the passenger side ball joints and tie rod end back in 2014.
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My toys: 1971 GMC Jimmy 2008 Hummer H3 Adventure 2003 HD Road King |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Parsons, KS
Posts: 160
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Re: Front Disc Brakes?
My bad. When you said the ball joints were facing down, I thought you meant the ball joints and not the tie rod ends. I see from your pic that the ball joint nuts are facing up and tie rods facing down. That is all correct. It is defiantly a Dana 44 and someone has just done a disc conversion on it most likely. The only way to really know is to get the date code off of the axle housing tube so you can see when it was built. The problem I have found with conversions is you don't have anything to go by when you order parts. So, the easiest thing to do is to take one side off and take them to a good parts store. They can match it up. I agree with hemi on the slots or holes. That's why I said no need for them in everyday normal driving. Unless you like the look. But then you need the right kind of wheels to even be able to see them.
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BR549 |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 3,073
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Re: Front Disc Brakes?
Block lifts on the front are generally considered a bad thing...
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#8 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: May 2006
Location: Philadelphia, Pa. 19454
Posts: 9,504
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Re: Front Disc Brakes?
I have one rotor that has a grove cut into it from the factory
Can't find another one
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Semper Fi...Uncle Sam, you da man All parts offered to help are free, unless otherwise noted Dont try this stuff in my build thread, unless you have 55 years of mechanical OTJ training SAFETY FIRST AS usual, off topic They say your mind goes second, can't remember the first Jim |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Lakewood, Co.
Posts: 219
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Re: Front Disc Brakes?
I've heard that blocks up front are a bad idea. I didn't put them on, a previous owner did. I've had it for over 2 years now and haven't had a problem with them *knocks on wood*. If I had the spare change, I would rather have a spring lift, but for now, this works.
I just did a quick check and I couldn't find the date stamp on the axle tubes. Could be rusted over, or could be I'm just blind.
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My toys: 1971 GMC Jimmy 2008 Hummer H3 Adventure 2003 HD Road King |
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