Front brake conversions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Troy pfeiffer · 08-15-2008, 05:35 PM

I have yet another question! Will the front spindals and disc brakes from a mid 80`s chev 1/2 ton work on my 68 gmc??? If not is there any truck out there that will be a direct swap from the old drum setup to discs?

68_chop_top · 08-16-2008, 11:38 AM

Yes they will!!!

Troy pfeiffer · 08-16-2008, 02:24 PM

Does it involve changing ball joints As well or should the 68 ones work??

**steelhorse** · 08-16-2008, 04:28 PM

I think you need to switch ball joints as well as the outer tie rod end but am not totally sure.

Old Yeller 1970 · 08-16-2008, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Troy pfeiffer

Does it involve changing ball joints As well or should the 68 ones work??

Yes, you will need matching ball joints and I think steelhorse is right about needing the outer tie rods too. Even swapping parts from a 71-72 requires the matching ball joints.

dave2953 · 08-16-2008, 05:40 PM

The ball joints are the same diameter, but the shaft that has the threads on it is different IIRC. I did my swap from an '89 burb but I used the control arms, tie rods, center link, etc from the burb...basically everything except the crossmember. You should just be able to put the ball joints for the 80 into the existing 68 arms, and install spindles. As mentioned, you would need to get the ball joints and center link from the donor vehicle. I'm not sure that anyone makes an outer tie rod for a 73-87 that would adapt to your 68 inners, but someone else might know.

08-15-2008, 05:35 PM	#1
Troy pfeiffer Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Calgary Alberta Canada Posts: 26	Front brake conversions I have yet another question! Will the front spindals and disc brakes from a mid 80`s chev 1/2 ton work on my 68 gmc??? If not is there any truck out there that will be a direct swap from the old drum setup to discs? Last edited by Troy pfeiffer; 08-15-2008 at 11:33 PM.

08-16-2008, 11:38 AM	#2
68_chop_top Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Granbury, TEXAS Posts: 250	Re: Front brake conversions Yes they will!!! __________________ Mine is chopped, has a clutch, and a big block.

08-16-2008, 02:24 PM	#3
Troy pfeiffer Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Calgary Alberta Canada Posts: 26	Re: Front brake conversions Does it involve changing ball joints As well or should the 68 ones work??

08-16-2008, 04:28 PM	#4
steelhorse Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Franklinton NC Posts: 1,309	Re: Front brake conversions I think you need to switch ball joints as well as the outer tie rod end but am not totally sure.

08-16-2008, 05:40 PM	#6
dave2953 Dave's not here, man Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Winder, Georgia Posts: 2,000	Re: Front brake conversions The ball joints are the same diameter, but the shaft that has the threads on it is different IIRC. I did my swap from an '89 burb but I used the control arms, tie rods, center link, etc from the burb...basically everything except the crossmember. You should just be able to put the ball joints for the 80 into the existing 68 arms, and install spindles. As mentioned, you would need to get the ball joints and center link from the donor vehicle. I'm not sure that anyone makes an outer tie rod for a 73-87 that would adapt to your 68 inners, but someone else might know. __________________ - 2014 VW Jetta - 2015 VW Jetta - 1966 Ford F-250

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