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02-10-2022, 01:30 PM | #1 |
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Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: Merritt Island, FL
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Cost of disc swap vs drum refurb
Hi all,
As part of my mini resto to get my C10 on the Power Tour in June, I am going to completely overhaul the drum brakes, as I have no idea what kind of state they're in. That includes master cylinder too. I'm just trying to figure if it's just going to be easier to swap over to discs now rather than rebuild the drums and then switch over to discs at a later point. I really want to know what kind of price I'd be looking at, as I'm not sure what I'd need to convert. Thanks! Alex |
02-10-2022, 02:44 PM | #2 |
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Location: SE Idaho
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Re: Cost of disc swap vs drum refurb
I've done both and the actual cost depends on the quality of parts you use. A good rebuild of a 4 wheel drum brake system is $200-$300. A front disc brake kit will run you about $800. You can do the disc brake kit a bit cheaper if you buy used spindles and buy the other parts seperately.. I use the kit because everything you need is included. It's surprising how fast all those little pieces add up when you buy the parts separately.
Last edited by swb4me; 02-10-2022 at 04:59 PM. |
02-10-2022, 05:13 PM | #3 |
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Location: Bremerton, WA
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Re: Cost of disc swap vs drum refurb
It is getting hard to find good new brake drums. The offshore stuff quality is sub par. Some of the replacement drums don't even have the brake adjustment window cast into them. Good luck gettting those off again.......
Can you have your drums turned by a machine shop, are they usable? And don't ask the national chain brake stores, they no longer do this service.
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1969 Custom Camper C20; Factree Air, 350/TH400/Dana 70U with C30 wheel cylinders, Disk brakes, H4 conversion, headlight relay mod, 3G 135 amp alternator. 7500 GVW |
02-10-2022, 05:55 PM | #4 | |
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Re: Cost of disc swap vs drum refurb
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02-10-2022, 05:57 PM | #5 | |
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Re: Cost of disc swap vs drum refurb
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02-10-2022, 06:12 PM | #6 |
Its a Truck Thing......
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Posts: 3,167
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Re: Cost of disc swap vs drum refurb
Out here, I cannot even give front drum stuff away, no one wants it. When I do get a truck with drums, they get swapped out along with near everything in the brake system.
On the cost, not really an issue if you swap the crossmember. I just got a complete setup for my 68 stepside for 150 with tires and calipers. I could have ran it, but I will change out all the bushings and balljoints and linkages for my own piece of mind. Smitty
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71 C10 283/3SPD Full Resto 71 GMC 1500 Sierra Grande http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=518599 70 C10 Suburban Former military GSA truck. 72 Chevy Blazer 4X4, Sloppy Jo, Mountain Climber. Wife says no more trucks. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=707378 72 GMC 1 Ton Motor Home, wife said no more trucks until she saw this one. Gen 3 6.0/4L80E 4.10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=761110 68 GMC Suburban was 3/4 ton, now 1/2.Wife shook her head 71 C30 Wrecker 71 C20 Scott-Bilt As weird as it gets..BB Cheyenne AC Truck 68 GMC Long Stepside. They keep following me home 69 C30 Former Motor Home, Flat Bed time |
02-10-2022, 07:22 PM | #7 | |
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Re: Cost of disc swap vs drum refurb
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02-10-2022, 07:42 PM | #8 |
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Location: Jurupa Valley, Ca
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Re: Cost of disc swap vs drum refurb
Something to keep in mind also, is swapping to disc from drums require new spindles, bearings, ball joints, tie rod ends, etc. Basically rebuilding the entire front end. If yours is ready for a front end rebuild you want to factor in that cost that would be included in a "kit" I just went thru this with my C20. Would never go back to front drums now. So much improvement, I didn't realize how bad shape my drum brakes were in.
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Terry 1970 Custom Camper/C20 , GM Crate 350/7004R, Dana 60, factory AC |
02-10-2022, 07:49 PM | #9 | |
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Join Date: Feb 2022
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Re: Cost of disc swap vs drum refurb
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02-10-2022, 08:04 PM | #10 |
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Location: Ozark, MO
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Re: Cost of disc swap vs drum refurb
You can spend as much as you want. I think I would fork up for a disk swap. The aftermarket is great, there are tons of options. If you are on a budget, see this link, you can swap brakes from a 71 thru 86 chevy depending on what is available. I personally wouldn't swap a crossmember, just bolt on the A arms and associated steering parts.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=4450757 |
02-10-2022, 08:27 PM | #11 | |
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Re: Cost of disc swap vs drum refurb
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02-10-2022, 09:04 PM | #12 |
Its a Truck Thing......
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Posts: 3,167
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Re: Cost of disc swap vs drum refurb
It was off a square with rubber bushings. Goes in easy, drill one new hole on each side and elongate one existing hole. Everything else bolts right in. Smitty
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71 C10 283/3SPD Full Resto 71 GMC 1500 Sierra Grande http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=518599 70 C10 Suburban Former military GSA truck. 72 Chevy Blazer 4X4, Sloppy Jo, Mountain Climber. Wife says no more trucks. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=707378 72 GMC 1 Ton Motor Home, wife said no more trucks until she saw this one. Gen 3 6.0/4L80E 4.10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=761110 68 GMC Suburban was 3/4 ton, now 1/2.Wife shook her head 71 C30 Wrecker 71 C20 Scott-Bilt As weird as it gets..BB Cheyenne AC Truck 68 GMC Long Stepside. They keep following me home 69 C30 Former Motor Home, Flat Bed time |
02-10-2022, 09:57 PM | #13 |
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Location: Colfax-California
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Re: Cost of disc swap vs drum refurb
Still have 4 wheel drum on my 68 3/4 truck. Runs and stops just fine--even overloaded now and then
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02-10-2022, 10:06 PM | #14 |
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Join Date: Feb 2022
Location: Merritt Island, FL
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Re: Cost of disc swap vs drum refurb
Thank you, all! I appreciate the information. I like discs so I’ll price them up and see what I need to replace anyway! See where we go.
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