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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Colorado
Posts: 255
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Drum to Disc questions
I have a 70 C10 with drum brakes on the front. I recently bought a 72 for parts and want to pull the disc brakes off of it and put them on the 70. Can I just swap spindles or do I need to use the control arms from the 72 as well? The PO told me one spindle isn't actually a 71/72 spindle, it's a 73, and I was wondering if it will complicate things any. When I go to put the new spindles on the 70 should I put the same spindles on both sides, and if so would it be better to use the 71/72 or the 73 to whenever spindles? As I'm learning more about working on these trucks I'm beginning to realize just how little I actually know.
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“If you don’t have time to do it right now, how will you ever find time to fix it.” - author unknown '70 SWB Step-Side (More rust than metal) ![]() |
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#2 |
Dave's not here, man
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Winder, Georgia
Posts: 2,000
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Re: Drum to Disc questions
If you had 71/72 spindles I think they would bolt your control arms but the tie rods ends on your truck are different from 71/72. I think ball joints are different between 71/72 and 73 up so I don't see how you could have two different spindles.
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- 2014 VW Jetta - 2015 VW Jetta - 1966 Ford F-250 Last edited by dave2953; 05-15-2007 at 10:03 PM. |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Colorado
Posts: 255
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Re: Drum to Disc questions
I think he said it had the 73 balljoint on it too.
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“If you don’t have time to do it right now, how will you ever find time to fix it.” - author unknown '70 SWB Step-Side (More rust than metal) ![]() |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Oklahoma City
Posts: 588
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Re: Drum to Disc questions
If it is a 73 spindle you will need the balljoints and tierods. If you have all of the front crossmember from the "73" then use it. I would still install new parts on it, if they are worn out.
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1970 Chevy C10 "Under Construction" ![]() 2002 Chevy S10 V6 ![]() |
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#5 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Philly
Posts: 1,140
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Re: Drum to Disc questions
I say go with the 73 setup. Parts are cheaper.
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#6 |
2WD Jimmy
![]() Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Davis County, Utah
Posts: 2,564
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Re: Drum to Disc questions
73 on is an upgrade. Thicker rotors; heavier balljoints and tie rods. Only trouble is, you will have to replace everything including and up to idler and steering arm. I did it on a 69SWB I restored.
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Colorado
Posts: 255
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Re: Drum to Disc questions
Will the control arms from my drum spindles work with the disc brake spindles? The reason I ask is that the drivers side upper control arm from the disc brake truck has a hole rusted all the way through it but the control arms on the drum brake truck are in perfect shape.
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“If you don’t have time to do it right now, how will you ever find time to fix it.” - author unknown '70 SWB Step-Side (More rust than metal) ![]() |
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#8 |
Son of a gun
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Hot Springs, Arkansas
Posts: 1,636
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Re: Drum to Disc questions
Yes, you can use your drum brake control arm, you will need to buy the ball joints for the spindles you are using.
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Bill BEATERS ARE NEATER |
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#9 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Colorado
Posts: 255
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Re: Drum to Disc questions
Quote:
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“If you don’t have time to do it right now, how will you ever find time to fix it.” - author unknown '70 SWB Step-Side (More rust than metal) ![]() |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2007
Location: CA
Posts: 39
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Re: Drum to Disc questions
Does this work for 3/4 8 lugs as well. As in can i use later year spindles on 67 drum control arms with the correct year ball joints.
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#11 | |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Philly
Posts: 1,140
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Re: Drum to Disc questions
Quote:
Front end parts will run you about $250-$300 if you include the idler and pitman arm. Pair of calipers will run you about $50-60 and a pair of rotors will run $60-$90. If you can find a front end off of a 73-87 in good shape though you can save some cash. Even the stuff that is shot, calipers for example, can come in handy for core exchanges. I paid $11.99 for my calipers with the core exchange. |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Colorado
Posts: 255
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Re: Drum to Disc questions
Thanks for all the info.
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“If you don’t have time to do it right now, how will you ever find time to fix it.” - author unknown '70 SWB Step-Side (More rust than metal) ![]() |
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#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Colorado
Posts: 255
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Re: Drum to Disc questions
Alright, now I have questions for the back. Since I will have 5 lugs in the front once I put the discs on I want 5 in the back too. Since I have the rear end from the disc truck I'm planning on swaping rear ends. Would it be easier to swap just the axle shafts or the whole rear end? I've never done anything with a rear end before so this is new territory to me. I'm a little nervous about popping the rear diff cover. Are the rears the same width on a '70 stepside and a '72 fleetside? If I do go the route of swapping the whole thing what's the best/safest way to remove the coil springs? Should I buy a spring compressor? I've heard of the floor jack method but I don't have one, all I have is a bottle jack so I'll have to spend cash either way and I've seen spring compressors for around $30. So... here's a recap. Should I swap just the axle shafts or the whole rear, and should I go spring compressor or floor jack method for spring removal?
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“If you don’t have time to do it right now, how will you ever find time to fix it.” - author unknown '70 SWB Step-Side (More rust than metal) ![]() |
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#14 |
Dave's not here, man
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Winder, Georgia
Posts: 2,000
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Re: Drum to Disc questions
You don't need a spring compressor to remove the rears (or the front for that matter) Just support the rearend with jacks so the springs don't have a load on them. Then you just take the nuts loose that hold the springs in and you're in business.
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- 2014 VW Jetta - 2015 VW Jetta - 1966 Ford F-250 |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Colorado
Posts: 255
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Re: Drum to Disc questions
Wont the springs come flying out if I do that?
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“If you don’t have time to do it right now, how will you ever find time to fix it.” - author unknown '70 SWB Step-Side (More rust than metal) ![]() |
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#16 |
Dave's not here, man
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Winder, Georgia
Posts: 2,000
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Re: Drum to Disc questions
No; if you have the rearend supported there isn't any real pressure being applied to the spring, unlike the front. You may need to loosen the rear end u-bolts (if you haven't already) to allow the trailing arm to drop. This should also relieve any additional pressure on the spring.
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- 2014 VW Jetta - 2015 VW Jetta - 1966 Ford F-250 Last edited by dave2953; 05-25-2007 at 12:28 AM. |
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Dundee, Oregon
Posts: 311
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Re: Drum to Disc questions
Whoa, You cant support the rearend and remove the springs, they are still holding the weight of the truck up. But you still do NOT need the spring compressor.
Jack the truck up and support the FRAME and let the rearend(axle) hang freely. You may have to unhook one end of the shocks to get it to hang enough. Now you can unbolt the upper and lower spring retainer bolts. Your bottle jack could work fine for this, but make sure you have good jack stands under the FRAME. Jason |
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Colorado
Posts: 255
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Re: Drum to Disc questions
How do I get the springs off the front?
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“If you don’t have time to do it right now, how will you ever find time to fix it.” - author unknown '70 SWB Step-Side (More rust than metal) ![]() |
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#19 |
Designated A-hole!
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: South Mississippi
Posts: 36,450
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Re: Drum to Disc questions
Measure the width of the 70 rear, if it's the same width as the 72, just swap the axles (70 is the yr the width changed, the only way to know if yours is the wide rear is to measure.).
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"If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. ![]() We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck" |
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#20 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: PORT NECHES, TEXAS / USA
Posts: 1,666
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Re: Drum to Disc questions
You can measure length is one way. If it is a 70 model it should have three digits stamped on axle housing. Pass. side pointed towards the back window. 69 and older is HA or HC code. most of the time, unless it is a posi. The 70 and up should be stamped with 3 digits. Something like TDA, RHA or THA. If it has 3 digits it should be same width as 71-72. These digits also tells you what gear ratio was in it originally. Hope this helps.
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55 Chevy original swb (big back window) 61 Chevy bubble top (427-5 speed) 67 Chevy stepside (Krusty) 68 Chevy swb fleet (Lola) 68 Chevy swb fleet 71 Chevy swb fleet ( future PB project) 97 crew cab power stroke 07 SS Trail blazer |
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#21 |
Dave's not here, man
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Winder, Georgia
Posts: 2,000
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Re: Drum to Disc questions
My apologies; 68 shortfleet is correct. Not sure how I came up with that one. The front springs are a little different. I set the frame of the truck on jackstands and disconnected the lower end of the shock. Loosen the lower ball joint nut a couple turns and knock the ball joint loose. Then put a jack under the control arm, take the nut the rest of the way off and SLOWLY lower the jack and remove the spring.
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- 2014 VW Jetta - 2015 VW Jetta - 1966 Ford F-250 Last edited by dave2953; 05-25-2007 at 09:59 AM. |
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#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SoCal
Posts: 191
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Re: Drum to Disc questions
I bought my kit from Performance online, although I went with the 73 chevy kit because I needed balljoints and tierods anyway plus parts are cheaper in the future and the brakes are slightly better. But if you have a budget in mind $660.00 for everything NEW including a Booster is pretty good.
http://www.performanceonline.com/sto...at=1074&page=1
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1968 c10 Chevy 2005 Infiniti G35 2006 Subaru WRX STi ![]() |
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#23 | |
Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires
![]() Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 23,090
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Re: Drum to Disc questions
Quote:
As a side note, there is no difference with the upper A-arms. The lower A-arms have the bump stop for the spindles in different spots, so with the disk spindles on the drum lower A-arms, the wheel will have fewer turns from lock to lock (the wheels wont turn all the way.) I fixed this (I used 71 spindles on 67 A-Arms) by grinding the "tit" of the spindle down until the wheel turned the same number of turns lock to lock as it did before. As far as the rearends, it would be easier to do a swap. 4 nuts and some brake line, and you're done ![]() ![]()
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Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride ![]() American Born, Country by the Grace of God ![]() 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications! Last edited by 67ChevyRedneck; 05-25-2007 at 02:02 PM. |
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