Disk brake conversion - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

sick69 · 08-30-2008, 01:59 AM

So I'm looking at this new frame that is going under my 70 c10. I realize it has 6 lug drum brakes on the way around. Those gotta go! The rear isn't an issue, I have already converted my TURD 9" to disks and redrilled the axles to 5 on 5, no problems there.

My question is the fronts.

I know I can swap the whole crossmember in from a later truck, which would include the disk brakes and 5 lug. Which is what I may end up doing.

I know most of the vendors sell a swap kit, but I don't have the budget for it.

So I will be hunting the yards for a few parts at a time.

1. Will the 71-72 spindles fit my ball joints?
2. Will the 71-72 ball joints fit my control arms?
3. Will all the steering parts from my drum set up work with the disk set up?
4. Will the 73 and up power steering gear boxes bolt up to my 70 frame?
(My 70 frame is also manual steering)
5. Are the 73 and up front coil springs the same as the 67-72 front coil springs? (either way it's getting a 3/5 or 4/6 drop depending on how it sits)

Thanks guys!
Frank

NWD02 · 08-30-2008, 09:26 AM

Here's an thread I posted a while back, maybe it'll help. Let me know if you have any questions.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=293247

PanelDeland · 08-30-2008, 09:32 AM

IIRC

1.No
2.Yes
3.No
4,yes
5.Dunno

Is this a test???

sick69 · 08-30-2008, 10:12 AM

NWD02, thanks it helped some.

So you used stock 71-72 style parts(calipers,rotors,ball joints,steering) with the drum control arms.

I am assumeing you ordered the 71-72 spindles?

PANELDELAND, Did you study?

Thanks guys you both helped out a great deal.

Brad · 08-30-2008, 11:04 AM

1. No
2. Yes
3. No
4. Yes
5. Yes

Southpa · 08-30-2008, 11:22 AM

I found the easiest route was to simply swap the entire front end. So long as you can find a suitable donor with all good components. Keep in mind there definitely IS a difference between power steering box and "armstrong" steering so don't toss your pitman arm, the splines are different size.

sick69 · 08-30-2008, 01:53 PM

I learned the hard way not to throw anything away until its been on the road for a couple months with no problems. Believe me my shed is full!lol

Frank

NWD02 · 08-30-2008, 08:08 PM

I ordered McGaughy's Spindles. When you install them you buy them for the truck, I bought them for my 67. The rotors, bearings, seals, calipers, etc. all came from a 71-72. When I ordered McGaughy spindles I spoke to someone in their tech dept. that actually seamed to know what she was talking about. She said use all 67 suspension parts (ball joints, tie-rod ends, etc.), and the brake parts from 71-72.

08-30-2008, 01:59 AM	#1
sick69 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: colorado springs colorado Posts: 737	Disk brake conversion So I'm looking at this new frame that is going under my 70 c10. I realize it has 6 lug drum brakes on the way around. Those gotta go! The rear isn't an issue, I have already converted my TURD 9" to disks and redrilled the axles to 5 on 5, no problems there. My question is the fronts. I know I can swap the whole crossmember in from a later truck, which would include the disk brakes and 5 lug. Which is what I may end up doing. I know most of the vendors sell a swap kit, but I don't have the budget for it. So I will be hunting the yards for a few parts at a time. 1. Will the 71-72 spindles fit my ball joints? 2. Will the 71-72 ball joints fit my control arms? 3. Will all the steering parts from my drum set up work with the disk set up? 4. Will the 73 and up power steering gear boxes bolt up to my 70 frame? (My 70 frame is also manual steering) 5. Are the 73 and up front coil springs the same as the 67-72 front coil springs? (either way it's getting a 3/5 or 4/6 drop depending on how it sits) Thanks guys! Frank __________________ 70 chevy lwb c10 454/th400 and a 9" rearend suicide doors, marker light fuel fill, 4" cowl , mini tub Last edited by sick69; 08-30-2008 at 02:01 AM.

08-30-2008, 09:26 AM	#2
NWD02 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Mont Belvieu, Texas Posts: 729	Re: Disk brake conversion Here's an thread I posted a while back, maybe it'll help. Let me know if you have any questions. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=293247

08-30-2008, 09:32 AM	#3
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,992	Re: Disk brake conversion IIRC 1.No 2.Yes 3.No 4,yes 5.Dunno Is this a test??? __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil" Last edited by PanelDeland; 08-30-2008 at 09:32 AM.

08-30-2008, 10:12 AM	#4
sick69 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: colorado springs colorado Posts: 737	Re: Disk brake conversion NWD02, thanks it helped some. So you used stock 71-72 style parts(calipers,rotors,ball joints,steering) with the drum control arms. I am assumeing you ordered the 71-72 spindles? PANELDELAND, Did you study? Thanks guys you both helped out a great deal. __________________ 70 chevy lwb c10 454/th400 and a 9" rearend suicide doors, marker light fuel fill, 4" cowl , mini tub

08-30-2008, 11:04 AM	#5
Brad Out of the carpool lane. Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Clark Co, WA Posts: 5,672	Re: Disk brake conversion 1. No 2. Yes 3. No 4. Yes 5. Yes __________________ 1968 C-10 SWB, 5.7 Vortec/700R4/3.73 posi, Torch Red 1968 Camaro, 250/Powerglide, all original (No, I'm not gonna drop a 350 in it!...Jeez!) 2000 Honda VFR in the faster yellow! 2008 Husqvarna TE-610 1967 C-10 SWB 'Six Appeal'-Gone but not forgotten...

08-30-2008, 11:22 AM	#6
Southpa Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Victoria, BC, Canada Posts: 2,409	Re: Disk brake conversion I found the easiest route was to simply swap the entire front end. So long as you can find a suitable donor with all good components. Keep in mind there definitely IS a difference between power steering box and "armstrong" steering so don't toss your pitman arm, the splines are different size. __________________ 1970 GMC 1500 Custom Original 350/TH350 Victoria, BC, Canada You can wish in one hand and crap in the other. See which one gets filled first.

08-30-2008, 01:53 PM	#7
sick69 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: colorado springs colorado Posts: 737	Re: Disk brake conversion I learned the hard way not to throw anything away until its been on the road for a couple months with no problems. Believe me my shed is full!lol Frank __________________ 70 chevy lwb c10 454/th400 and a 9" rearend suicide doors, marker light fuel fill, 4" cowl , mini tub

08-30-2008, 08:08 PM	#8
NWD02 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Mont Belvieu, Texas Posts: 729	Re: Disk brake conversion I ordered McGaughy's Spindles. When you install them you buy them for the truck, I bought them for my 67. The rotors, bearings, seals, calipers, etc. all came from a 71-72. When I ordered McGaughy spindles I spoke to someone in their tech dept. that actually seamed to know what she was talking about. She said use all 67 suspension parts (ball joints, tie-rod ends, etc.), and the brake parts from 71-72.

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