70 3/4 ton 4 x 4 drum to disk question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Old Chevy Mech · 10-31-2007, 08:25 PM

Has anyone converted a 3/4 ton 8 lug Chevy 4 x 4 front drum to disk? Reason I'm asking is I looked at one site and it looked like All was needed was the backing plate, calipers and it looked like the rotors slipped on just like the drums currently do. It almost seemed too easy unless I am missing something.

Thanks!

Frank

duallyjams · 10-31-2007, 08:28 PM

Is you rear a open or closed knuckle

Sir Fisher · 10-31-2007, 09:12 PM

good question; i've been wanting to ask myself too; you just beat me to it... i have a closed knuckle front end. here's a pic of the knuckle and the hub.

thanks,

ww

Old Chevy Mech · 10-31-2007, 11:22 PM

Its the bone stock open knuckle dana 44. I'd bet the only difference between the 1/2 ton version & the 3/4 ton version are the hubs! lol

Frank

brianthelion02 · 11-01-2007, 12:00 AM

I tried putting disc brakes on my 69 closed knuckle axle,they will bolt on but the inner axle will need some machining to make it work!!!!!!I found it easier to buy a set of axles from a 72 and bolt them in!!!!!!!

earl87gta · 11-01-2007, 12:46 AM

If you have the 70 open knuckle axle you will need from the knuckles out for the convertion. if you have the closed knuckle axle like in the pic above the only cost effective way is to just get an axle from a newer truck and swap it in.

Old Chevy Mech · 11-01-2007, 06:55 AM

Earl,
Do you mean that the knuckles have to be replaced? I went to Blackbirds Custom Trucks
site and it looked to me as though it was pretty simple (depending on your level of pain, mine is pretty high)

Frank

OLDCHEV4X4 · 11-01-2007, 08:03 AM

The bolt circle that the spindle bolts to on a drum brake knuckle, is clocked differantly than a disc brake knuckle. These bolts also hold the disc brake caliper mount on. So if you have a open knuckle d44 disc brake axle, swap everything from the knuckles out, onto your drum brake axle.

earl87gta · 11-01-2007, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLDCHEV4X4

The bolt circle that the spindle bolts to on a drum brake knuckle, is clocked differantly than a disc brake knuckle. These bolts also hold the disc brake caliper mount on. So if you have a open knuckle d44 disc brake axle, swap everything from the knuckles out, onto your drum brake axle.

The black bird kit is a custom job so its alittle difrent. the cheepest and easest way will be for you to get a hole 3/4 axle from a 71 up truck with disk breaks and just switch from the knucles out. you should be able to get what you need for around $150

Old Chevy Mech · 11-02-2007, 08:02 AM

Here is the hub.

10-31-2007, 08:25 PM	#1
Old Chevy Mech Keepin it runnin! Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Deep River, CT Posts: 1,036	70 3/4 ton 4 x 4 drum to disk question Has anyone converted a 3/4 ton 8 lug Chevy 4 x 4 front drum to disk? Reason I'm asking is I looked at one site and it looked like All was needed was the backing plate, calipers and it looked like the rotors slipped on just like the drums currently do. It almost seemed too easy unless I am missing something. Thanks! Frank __________________ 1970 K-5 4X4 Blazer 1970 K-20 4X4 Long Bed "Liberty Means Responsibility, that is why most men dread it"

10-31-2007, 08:28 PM	#2
duallyjams Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Deale Md Posts: 4,663	Re: 70 3/4 ton 4 x 4 drum to disk question Is you rear a open or closed knuckle __________________ James 63 GMC V6 4speed carryall 65 chevy swb bbw V8 auto 68 K20 327/4 speed, buddy buckets 2002 GMC CC Dually Duramax 64 GMC lwb 3/4 V6 4speed SOLD 66 GMC swb bbw buddy buckets SOLD IG duallyjams The only thing that stays the same is constant change!

10-31-2007, 09:12 PM	#3
Sir Fisher Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: West Coast FL Posts: 204	Re: 70 3/4 ton 4 x 4 drum to disk question good question; i've been wanting to ask myself too; you just beat me to it... i have a closed knuckle front end. here's a pic of the knuckle and the hub. thanks, ww Attached Images __________________ 1970 Chevy K20 Custom Camper 1996 Chevy Impala SS 2008 Chevy Avalanche LT3 2003 Honda Accord EX 2001 Hewes Redfisher 16 Fighting Lady Yellow Build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=324118

10-31-2007, 11:22 PM	#4
Old Chevy Mech Keepin it runnin! Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Deep River, CT Posts: 1,036	Re: 70 3/4 ton 4 x 4 drum to disk question Its the bone stock open knuckle dana 44. I'd bet the only difference between the 1/2 ton version & the 3/4 ton version are the hubs! lol Frank __________________ 1970 K-5 4X4 Blazer 1970 K-20 4X4 Long Bed "Liberty Means Responsibility, that is why most men dread it" Last edited by Old Chevy Mech; 11-01-2007 at 06:51 AM.

11-01-2007, 12:00 AM	#5
brianthelion02 Overdrive club Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: apache junction, arizona Posts: 819	Re: 70 3/4 ton 4 x 4 drum to disk question I tried putting disc brakes on my 69 closed knuckle axle,they will bolt on but the inner axle will need some machining to make it work!!!!!!I found it easier to buy a set of axles from a 72 and bolt them in!!!!!!! __________________ 1971 c-10 1951 3100 chevy 1970 chevy c-30 Sold!

11-01-2007, 12:46 AM	#6
earl87gta Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Kingsport TN Posts: 4,641	Re: 70 3/4 ton 4 x 4 drum to disk question If you have the 70 open knuckle axle you will need from the knuckles out for the convertion. if you have the closed knuckle axle like in the pic above the only cost effective way is to just get an axle from a newer truck and swap it in. __________________ Earl 68 2500 4x4 GMC Burb

11-01-2007, 06:55 AM	#7
Old Chevy Mech Keepin it runnin! Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Deep River, CT Posts: 1,036	Re: 70 3/4 ton 4 x 4 drum to disk question Earl, Do you mean that the knuckles have to be replaced? I went to Blackbirds Custom Trucks site and it looked to me as though it was pretty simple (depending on your level of pain, mine is pretty high) Frank __________________ 1970 K-5 4X4 Blazer 1970 K-20 4X4 Long Bed "Liberty Means Responsibility, that is why most men dread it"

11-01-2007, 08:03 AM	#8
OLDCHEV4X4 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Chester County PA, USA Posts: 1,228	Re: 70 3/4 ton 4 x 4 drum to disk question The bolt circle that the spindle bolts to on a drum brake knuckle, is clocked differantly than a disc brake knuckle. These bolts also hold the disc brake caliper mount on. So if you have a open knuckle d44 disc brake axle, swap everything from the knuckles out, onto your drum brake axle. __________________ 72 k/10 short wideside 72 k/5 Blazer 72 K/5 Blazer - obstacle course racer 72 custom/10 8' bed 70 K/5 Blazer 67 C-30 GMC Flat bed 86 GMC K2500 Plow Truck 85 GMC K3500 84 M1008 85 M1008 77 G30 Motor Home 72 Sears 12hp Tractor Glenmoore, Pennsylvania

11-02-2007, 08:02 AM	#10
Old Chevy Mech Keepin it runnin! Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Deep River, CT Posts: 1,036	Re: 70 3/4 ton 4 x 4 drum to disk question Here is the hub. __________________ 1970 K-5 4X4 Blazer 1970 K-20 4X4 Long Bed "Liberty Means Responsibility, that is why most men dread it" Last edited by Old Chevy Mech; 11-28-2007 at 07:24 AM.



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