1970 K-20 front brakes.. again what to do? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Burbnasty · 01-19-2016, 10:50 PM

I know this topic has been covered several times, and I have read through several of the previous posts.

I have a 1970 K-20 350 motor, 4 speed trans (granny gear) with power front drum brakes, I have ordered brake parts form several different places and keep getting wrong parts.

At this point I can pretty much only get shoes for the front, The wheel cylinders keep being wrong parts, I cant find the correct hose, and I didn't even try to find drums, because from reading it seems they are impossible, or very expensive to find.

I understand that the next best option is to get a front disc conv. (also expensive) or swap axles all together.

I saw a small tag on the front dif that says 4.09. does this mean I have 4.10 gears in the back?

If I am looking for a replacement axle do i need to find a 4.09 or can a 4.10 work?

If I do find an axle what else will i need to change to make the truck drive down the road? i have seen several different things contradicting things.

I think I have a dana 44 does this mean I need to replace it with a dana 44 or can a 60 work providing I find one?

What should I do here guys I want to do this correct but I also don't want to open a can of worms and spend a bunch of money, If i could find all the parts I would just go with the original set up, but if I am going to just have to face the inevitable at some point and do the swap I guess it may as well be now.

Suggestions?

Thanks

57taskforce · 01-19-2016, 11:00 PM

Anything gm from 71-87(91 blazer, jimmy, suburban, 1 ton crew) will bolt right in and have disk brakes. Up to 76/77 will be a 44 after could be a cooperate 10 or a Dana 60 depending on what It comes from. 4.09,4.10,4.11 are trivial differences and can all be interchanged. Dana 60 is a go as well if you can find one, king pin is most desirable. Dodge dana 60 from a first gen Cummins will bolt in as well from what I've read.

**68350** · 01-20-2016, 10:30 AM

Here is a part number for front drums. The part number I believe comes back for a Dodge drum but it is the same part and its cheap!

**68350** · 01-20-2016, 10:32 AM

Also I believe you can get a rebuild kit for the wheel cylinders. Rent a hone from O'Reillys for free too.

El Dorado Jim · 01-20-2016, 11:55 PM

like 57Taskforce said, go find a dana 44 from a newer chevy or gmc, they will bolt right in and disc brakes are alot better than drums....you will have to change master cylinders , they are different for disc brakes but worth the trouble doing the conversion

01-19-2016, 10:50 PM	#1
Burbnasty Registered User Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Michigan Posts: 47	1970 K-20 front brakes.. again what to do? I know this topic has been covered several times, and I have read through several of the previous posts. I have a 1970 K-20 350 motor, 4 speed trans (granny gear) with power front drum brakes, I have ordered brake parts form several different places and keep getting wrong parts. At this point I can pretty much only get shoes for the front, The wheel cylinders keep being wrong parts, I cant find the correct hose, and I didn't even try to find drums, because from reading it seems they are impossible, or very expensive to find. I understand that the next best option is to get a front disc conv. (also expensive) or swap axles all together. I saw a small tag on the front dif that says 4.09. does this mean I have 4.10 gears in the back? If I am looking for a replacement axle do i need to find a 4.09 or can a 4.10 work? If I do find an axle what else will i need to change to make the truck drive down the road? i have seen several different things contradicting things. I think I have a dana 44 does this mean I need to replace it with a dana 44 or can a 60 work providing I find one? What should I do here guys I want to do this correct but I also don't want to open a can of worms and spend a bunch of money, If i could find all the parts I would just go with the original set up, but if I am going to just have to face the inevitable at some point and do the swap I guess it may as well be now. Suggestions? Thanks

01-19-2016, 11:00 PM	#2
57taskforce All about them K’s Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Entrapment Posts: 6,487	Re: 1970 K-20 front brakes.. again what to do? Anything gm from 71-87(91 blazer, jimmy, suburban, 1 ton crew) will bolt right in and have disk brakes. Up to 76/77 will be a 44 after could be a cooperate 10 or a Dana 60 depending on what It comes from. 4.09,4.10,4.11 are trivial differences and can all be interchanged. Dana 60 is a go as well if you can find one, king pin is most desirable. Dodge dana 60 from a first gen Cummins will bolt in as well from what I've read. __________________ Tyler '57 3100 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=813888 '72 K20 Cheyenne: 5” lift, 35’s, front dana 60 blah blah blah… http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=662879 ‘69 K10 SWB: 4” lift 33”s… in a million pieces http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=805206 '98 Silverado LT K2500HD ECLB Vortec 454/4l80E: 6" lift 35x12.5x20’s

01-20-2016, 10:30 AM	#3
68350 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Williston, ND Posts: 2,999	Re: 1970 K-20 front brakes.. again what to do? Here is a part number for front drums. The part number I believe comes back for a Dodge drum but it is the same part and its cheap! Attached Images __________________ 68 Chevy CST/10, 50th Anniversary, 327/th400, 373 posi, buckets 68 GMC Shortbox Stepside, 402/th400, Tilt, Tach, Bucket Seats, 3.08 Positraction 69 Chevy Camaro SS, 383, 4 speed, positraction 70 Chevy El Camino SS396, Triple Black, 454/th400, Tach 70 Chevy Shortbox Stepside 4x4, 350/th350, Tilt, Tach, Cab Lights, Bumper Guards, Tow Hooks 70 Chevy 3/4 Longbox, 350/auto, 70k, SURVIVOR 71 Chevy Blazer, CST, 350/auto 71 GMC Sierra K2500, 454, 4 speed, 4.10 posi, 37s 71 Custom/30, Open Road, 350/th400, tilt 72 Chevy Shortbox Fleetside, 496 Stroker/th400, Tilt, Tach, Bucket Seats, 3.42 Posi 72 GMC Sierra Grande 2500. 427/th400, tilt, a/c, tool and stowage, buckets/console, 3.54 posi

01-20-2016, 10:32 AM	#4
68350 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Williston, ND Posts: 2,999	Re: 1970 K-20 front brakes.. again what to do? Also I believe you can get a rebuild kit for the wheel cylinders. Rent a hone from O'Reillys for free too. __________________ 68 Chevy CST/10, 50th Anniversary, 327/th400, 373 posi, buckets 68 GMC Shortbox Stepside, 402/th400, Tilt, Tach, Bucket Seats, 3.08 Positraction 69 Chevy Camaro SS, 383, 4 speed, positraction 70 Chevy El Camino SS396, Triple Black, 454/th400, Tach 70 Chevy Shortbox Stepside 4x4, 350/th350, Tilt, Tach, Cab Lights, Bumper Guards, Tow Hooks 70 Chevy 3/4 Longbox, 350/auto, 70k, SURVIVOR 71 Chevy Blazer, CST, 350/auto 71 GMC Sierra K2500, 454, 4 speed, 4.10 posi, 37s 71 Custom/30, Open Road, 350/th400, tilt 72 Chevy Shortbox Fleetside, 496 Stroker/th400, Tilt, Tach, Bucket Seats, 3.42 Posi 72 GMC Sierra Grande 2500. 427/th400, tilt, a/c, tool and stowage, buckets/console, 3.54 posi

01-20-2016, 11:55 PM	#5
El Dorado Jim Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: El Dorado Ca Posts: 3,374	Re: 1970 K-20 front brakes.. again what to do? like 57Taskforce said, go find a dana 44 from a newer chevy or gmc, they will bolt right in and disc brakes are alot better than drums....you will have to change master cylinders , they are different for disc brakes but worth the trouble doing the conversion

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