Question: 1970 K5 with disc brakes? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Fast Orange · 12-09-2008, 02:43 PM

A buddy of mine just bought a '70 K5 4x4. It has disc brakes on the front. I know front disc brakes weren't available on pick ups until '71. What about blazers? We're wondering if they are factory or if someone swapped them from a later model 4x4. Thanks!!

bouncytruck · 12-09-2008, 03:17 PM

Does the SPID on the glove box list them?

Most likely swapped in from a 71 or 72. My understanding is in 70, they had open knuckles, so you could just swap the disc brake parts unlike the '69s with closed knuckles that required an axle swap. Discs were optional in 71, but all 72s should have had them (*disclaimer - GM wasn't consistent and often used leftover parts from the previous year or parts from upcoming years if they ran out.)

Fast Orange · 12-09-2008, 03:29 PM

Just got off the phone - he hasn't checked the glove box sticker. He also said he talked to one of the local guys around here who sell '67-72 parts and he basically said the same thing you did about them being swapped. The closed knuckle/open knuckle thing is interesting and good to know. Thanks for your help!

Blazer1970 · 12-09-2008, 05:45 PM

It came with drum brakes from the factory. All Blazers (even '69s) came with an open knuckle front axle. It is an easy swap to add the disc brakes to any of them.

Jtrux · 12-09-2008, 08:12 PM

My 71 doesn't have it on the SPID but it does have them, I didn't know it was supposed to be listed.

chipflyer · 12-10-2008, 01:10 AM

Its not listed on the SPID on any 67-70 truck or blazer because it wasn't available at all until 71. Its not on the 71-72 labels because it was standard and came on all of them and items that were standard aren't listed on the SPID.

Jeff

red71cheyenne · 12-10-2008, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blazer1970

It came with drum brakes from the factory. All Blazers (even '69s) came with an open knuckle front axle. It is an easy swap to add the disc brakes to any of them.

How do you tell an open from a closed knuckle? My 69 has drums on the front, but I'd dearly love some discs.

**Yukon Jack** · 12-10-2008, 03:08 PM

Closed knuckle looks like this.

red71cheyenne · 12-10-2008, 06:46 PM

Yep, mine are different than that. There's a set of U-joints right there where the axle goes into the hub.

12-09-2008, 02:43 PM	#1
Fast Orange Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 170	Question: 1970 K5 with disc brakes? A buddy of mine just bought a '70 K5 4x4. It has disc brakes on the front. I know front disc brakes weren't available on pick ups until '71. What about blazers? We're wondering if they are factory or if someone swapped them from a later model 4x4. Thanks!! __________________ Randy aka "Fast Orange" 1972 Chevy Stepside that will one day be finished!!

12-09-2008, 03:17 PM	#2
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,038	Re: Question: 1970 K5 with disc brakes? Does the SPID on the glove box list them? Most likely swapped in from a 71 or 72. My understanding is in 70, they had open knuckles, so you could just swap the disc brake parts unlike the '69s with closed knuckles that required an axle swap. Discs were optional in 71, but all 72s should have had them (disclaimer - GM wasn't consistent and often used leftover parts from the previous year or parts from upcoming years if they ran out.) __________________ bouncytruck* 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

12-09-2008, 03:29 PM	#3
Fast Orange Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 170	Re: Question: 1970 K5 with disc brakes? Just got off the phone - he hasn't checked the glove box sticker. He also said he talked to one of the local guys around here who sell '67-72 parts and he basically said the same thing you did about them being swapped. The closed knuckle/open knuckle thing is interesting and good to know. Thanks for your help! __________________ Randy aka "Fast Orange" 1972 Chevy Stepside that will one day be finished!!

12-09-2008, 05:45 PM	#4
Blazer1970 Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Old Mission, MI, USA Posts: 2,507	Re: Question: 1970 K5 with disc brakes? It came with drum brakes from the factory. All Blazers (even '69s) came with an open knuckle front axle. It is an easy swap to add the disc brakes to any of them. __________________ Tim

12-09-2008, 08:12 PM	#5
Jtrux I'm a poor spectator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Antonio, Tx Posts: 2,287	Re: Question: 1970 K5 with disc brakes? My 71 doesn't have it on the SPID but it does have them, I didn't know it was supposed to be listed. __________________ 2006 Jeep Unlimited IMPACT ORANGE 1993 Chevy 2500 4x4 ExCab LWB 454/NV4500 Tow rig 1977 Ford F100 2x4 LWB 1st truck I owned, still have it!!! 1979 Ford F150 4x4 SWB Built Ford Tough!!! 1971 Chevy Blazer 350 / SM465 / NP205 UNDER CONSTRUCTION Soon to have a LQ4 6.0!!!

12-10-2008, 01:10 AM	#6
chipflyer Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Topeka, Ks Posts: 2,293	Re: Question: 1970 K5 with disc brakes? Its not listed on the SPID on any 67-70 truck or blazer because it wasn't available at all until 71. Its not on the 71-72 labels because it was standard and came on all of them and items that were standard aren't listed on the SPID. Jeff __________________ I'm not a pessimist, I'm just optimistic that bad things are going to happen. 1971 Cheyenne Super K10 - tilt, cruise, air, am/fm, tow hooks, factory buckets! 1986 Jeep J10 pickup, - 5.3L Vortec with 4L60e and NP241. Last edited by chipflyer; 12-10-2008 at 09:33 AM.

12-10-2008, 03:08 PM	#8
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,686	Re: Question: 1970 K5 with disc brakes? Closed knuckle looks like this. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

12-10-2008, 06:46 PM	#9
red71cheyenne Back in the sticks Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Fordland, MO Posts: 3,188	Re: Question: 1970 K5 with disc brakes? Yep, mine are different than that. There's a set of U-joints right there where the axle goes into the hub. __________________ 1971 Cheyenne C-10 w/700R4 and Tuned Port Injection 1969 K5 Blazer w/Tuned Port 2010 2SS/RS Flaming Orange Camaro 2011 K1500 Suburban 2014 K1500 Pickup 2008 Nissan Altima? The wifes' hoopty

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