disc brake conversion

[nvrforgotten52]

im in bad need of some front disc brakes to replace the old out dated drums on my 69 c-10. anyone have any good links out there that could help me out a little...
thanks,
david

[72armyswbtruck]

I say spend the time and find a 71 or 72 with them already on, buy it and then swap the whole thing out axel to axel, so much easier and in the long run more cost effective once you start parting out the left overs

[speedracer]

I have stock ride height spindles from a 72 I'm looking to get rid of

[shifty]

ECE sells a front end brake upgrade kit and you can get lowered spindles with it.

[Tx Firefighter]

A simple crossmember swap will get you discs off of any 71 through 87 truck or 71-91 Suburban.

Or, if you want to lower the truck, just buy drop spindles from whatever vendor you choose and put the rotors and calipers on them.

I'll be posting a disc brake swap article for the FAQ section next week or so. I'm right in the middle of this right now on my Suburban.

[53burb]

I would be real interested to see the article on disc brakes when it is complete!!!!

[skokie]

Originally Posted by 53burb

I would be real interested to see the article on disc brakes when it is complete!!!!

Me to..

[Tx Firefighter]

I'm just waiting on my spindles to arrive from ECE.

I'm using components off of a 75 model truck, combined with ECE spindles to convert my drum brake Suburban to discs.

[kevncar]

tx,

I've got everything from a-arm to a-arm off a 76. So I can just order dropped spindles and the rotor and caliper and all will work with what I have for my 67?

That would be cool

thanks

[AWEGS72]

I have a set i will be getting rid of after this weekend. Putting drop spindles on mine. Off a 72.

[Tx Firefighter]

Kevncar, you have three options:

1) Order a pair of 67 drop spindles and use the rotors, bearings, and calipers off the 76 model. This is the easiest, as it reuses your existing ball joints and control arms and steering components.

2) Order a pair of drop spindles for a 76 model, and change your ball joints to 76 model ones and reuse your control arms. You'll use the 76 model steering linkage, tie rods, etc this way.

3) Order a pair of 76 model drop spindles and swap the 76 model control arms onto your truck. That way you will have the 76 model ball joints to match the spindles. Again, you'll be using the 76 model steering linkage.

I'd do option 1. It's easiest and cheapest. Actually, that's exactly what I'm doing on my Suburban. I'll be reusing my old early model control arms and ball joints and steering linkage, combined with the drop spindles for the early truck. The brakes are off the 75 though. I'll have the article written Tuesday when I get back on the computer next time.

[Beto]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

Kevncar, you have three options:

1) Order a pair of 67 drop spindles and use the rotors, bearings, and calipers off the 76 model. This is the easiest, as it reuses your existing ball joints and control arms and steering components.

2) Order a pair of drop spindles for a 76 model, and change your ball joints to 76 model ones and reuse your control arms. You'll use the 76 model steering linkage, tie rods, etc this way.

3) Order a pair of 76 model drop spindles and swap the 76 model control arms onto your truck. That way you will have the 76 model ball joints to match the spindles. Again, you'll be using the 76 model steering linkage.

I'd do option 1. It's easiest and cheapest. Actually, that's exactly what I'm doing on my Suburban. I'll be reusing my old early model control arms and ball joints and steering linkage, combined with the drop spindles for the early truck. The brakes are off the 75 though. I'll have the article written Tuesday when I get back on the computer next time.

So if I do option 1, then I will keep my stock crossmember and arms? All I will have to do is get the rotors and other stuff off a 76 chevy? Sorry if I sound stupid, but I'm just double checking...

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by Beto

So if I do option 1, then I will keep my stock crossmember and arms? All I will have to do is get the rotors and other stuff off a 76 chevy? Sorry if I sound stupid, but I'm just double checking...

Yes, just buy a pair of drop spindles for your year truck from whoever you choose. I always use ECE myself. Then, the spindles will install onto your stock ball joints and control arms, and tie rod ends.

Now, you will need wheel bearings, rotor dust shields, rotors, calipers, pads, and caliper bolts from any 71 through 87 model truck with 1 1/4 inch rotors.

I just bought a beater 75 model truck myself. I ordered the drop spindles to fit my truck, and combined with all the 75 model brake stuff, I have disc brakes for very cheap price.

[Beto]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

Yes, just buy a pair of drop spindles for your year truck from whoever you choose. I always use ECE myself. Then, the spindles will install onto your stock ball joints and control arms, and tie rod ends.

Now, you will need wheel bearings, rotor dust shields, rotors, calipers, pads, and caliper bolts from any 71 through 87 model truck with 1 1/4 inch rotors.

I just bought a beater 75 model truck myself. I ordered the drop spindles to fit my truck, and combined with all the 75 model brake stuff, I have disc brakes for very cheap price.

thanks for the info! This sounds like a good alternative to buying a disc brake conversion kit. This is definitely going on the to do list.

[c10crazy]

Tx Firefighter, can I use the later model front swap brake parts with my 6 lug wheels?. Or do you think it's easier to buy a 6 lug conversion for $475 from GMCpauls?. I want to keep my 6 lug wheels but want discs too.

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by c10crazy

Tx Firefighter, can I use the later model front swap brake parts with my 6 lug wheels?. Or do you think it's easier to buy a 6 lug conversion for $475 from GMCpauls?. I want to keep my 6 lug wheels but want discs too.

The problem is the 6 lug deal. All 1/2 ton disc brakes were 5 lug on 2WD trucks.

You can use the calipers, pads, spindle, etc from the later truck, but you'll still have to pony up and buy the aftermarket 6 lug rotors from a vendor.

[VetteVet]

I remember a thread in here about the 6 lug rotors on the 4x4s that will interchange with the half tons to keep the six lug wheels. It is something to check out. I had the post bookmarked but my computer hard drive crashed and I lost it.

[Jim_PA]

I put all '72 (as already said, this works with other year trucks as well) brake and suspension parts on my '68. This way, I know what I have, and I can get what I need at any parts store when I need something.

It ended up costing more, but I have: all new ball joints, tie rod ends, calipers, master cylinder, prop. valve, brake lines, wheel cylinders, rotors, drums, brake hoses...... the list keeps growing

[byrd]

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

The problem is the 6 lug deal. All 1/2 ton disc brakes were 5 lug on 2WD trucks.

You can use the calipers, pads, spindle, etc from the later truck, but you'll still have to pony up and buy the aftermarket 6 lug rotors from a vendor.

Yeah and they are very costly and c10crazy in your case I would just buy the kit from GMC pauls. BY the time you get everything else you need and the $150-200 6 lug rotors, you would be better of imo

[bluec10]

Question for the guys who swapped in 73-87 front crossmembers - do the motor mount holes etc. line up? I'm not that far yet with my conversion. The front crossmember went in with only two new holes needed.

I also think that the 73-87 suspension is better designed than the 67-72 version. The control arm bushings are a lot bigger.

[53burb]

ttt

[dallas71]

from what i understand you do not have to swap the crossmember at all just the upper and lower a-arms and you are all set...

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by dallas71

from what i understand you do not have to swap the crossmember at all just the upper and lower a-arms and you are all set...

That's number 3 I was talking about above.