Advice needed 69’ c10 frame off resto. Rear end

[Spalma916]

Hey guys,
My name is Steven and I own a 1969 chevy C-10. I’ve taken it completely apart; sandblasted frame and used the KBS rust, primer, & paint system. Now I’m ready to put this together and realize I know very little about rear ends an differentials etc.... the rear end I have has 12 bolts on the diff. Case and from what I can tell from the numbers it’s a 3.73 (is that any good?). It also has drum brakes that I’d like to swap out for disc brakes(but is it a good idea on the back? Which is better disc or drum in the rear)I guess what I need to know right now is if there is disc brake conversion kit I can get and is a 12 bolt Differential a good one or should I look for something better.
My main goal for this truck is to keep the look as original as possible with adding the state of the art upgrades of today such as disc brakes all around and the gas tank in the back.
Please let me know if know if and where I should get the disc brake kit, the paint is drying on the frame and I’d like to get to work putting it together
As of now I’ll be reusing the original trailing arms and springs, the shocks are shot so I’ll be needing new ones(advice for new ones?) and I was given a brand new Wilwood brake master cylinder, I think it’s a good brand and supposedly strong enough for both brakes to run on (disc or drum)
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[Ironangel]

The GM Truck-12 Bolt is an excellent unit! Very stout!

[MDPotter]

12-bolt is the best axle and 3.73 is a good all-around gear set. Whether it's an open diff or limited slip is hard to confirm without pulling the cover. If it's an open diff, upgrading to limited slip isn't too hard but does take a few specialty tools and time.

As far as conversion to disc brakes, I'm glad I upgraded. Not a big stopping power increase because the front does most of the work, but disc brakes look so much nicer and are easier to service. I got my kit from Little Shop Mfg.

At the very least, you should rebuild brakes and replace axle bearings and seals and diff cover gasket and fluid.

[68is4me]

12 bolts are good and strong. As for discs I actually like the looks of the drums in the back, looks more original. Spend the money on a good locker and rebuild and you can always add the disc brakes later.

[BigBird05]

A rear disc brake upgrade is a lot of money for very little gain. Unless you are doing for the look.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by BigBird05

A rear disc brake upgrade is a lot of money for very little gain. Unless you are doing for the look.

Agreed.

Also, the 3.73 axle will make for high revs on the highway with a transmission w/o overdrive. Heck, my 69 C10 has a mild 350 engine with 3.08 axle and 29" tall tires, and I find myself wishing for another gear at anything above 65 mph. On the other hand, 3.73 is perfect for a 700R4 or 2004R transmission.

[Sheepdip]

Also not a fan of the rear disc set up....unless you are building something performance wise to carve up mountain roads, rear disc are a waste of $$$ in my book.

[3757chevy]

Originally Posted by BigBird05

A rear disc brake upgrade is a lot of money for very little gain. Unless you are doing for the look.

Originally Posted by MikeB

Agreed.

Also, the 3.73 axle will make for high revs on the highway with a transmission w/o overdrive. Heck, my 69 C10 has a mild 350 engine with 3.08 axle and 29" tall tires, and I find myself wishing for another gear at anything above 65 mph. On the other hand, 3.73 is perfect for a 700R4 or 2004R transmission.

Originally Posted by Sheepdip

Also not a fan of the rear disc set up....unless you are building something performance wise to carve up mountain roads, rear disc are a waste of $$$ in my book.

I could say all the same things in different words or I could just say "ditto".... I'm running 350 with TH400 and 3.73 in my '67 wishing I had Overdrive of some sort.