Brake conversion on 1970 4x4 Blazer - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Deep C 915 · 11-08-2010, 01:31 AM

Just found the site and looks to have a good bunch of people and a lot of good info. I'm sure this question has been asked and being a newbie I don't know where it might be or if I’m posting this question in the right spot.

Hear it is anyway..
I'm starting a restore on a 1970 4x4 blazer and looking to get different ideas on converting over to Disc brakes.
Would like any input ranging from cheapest, easiest, maybe one if I had a little extra money that month.

Savage69K5 · 11-08-2010, 09:04 AM

I'd look at find a disc brake D44 and swap out the whole thing. I went through this similar issue on my 69 earlier this year. I ended up snagging a free disc brake D44 from a guy in Round Rock, and just swapped out front axles. You will need a new proportioning block as well.

I'm in Houston as well (Magnolia). Not many older K5s rolling around this town.

Deep C 915 · 11-08-2010, 06:50 PM

Thanks for the responce & that's the 2nd. time I've gotten that advice. I will start the dismantle next week. I'm not going to rush it being that this is my first attempt at restore so I will be doing alot of labeling and identifing parts for reassembly.Was that the only thing you had to change out in the break system. ?

Savage69K5 · 11-08-2010, 08:26 PM

The axle I got was out of a 77, and it had full time all wheel drive, so I had to install some Warn hubs in it to make it part time. Depending on what axle you get, I think the banjo fittings that go to the caliper may be different. My solution was to get Inline Tube fab me some stainless braided lines with the 69 frame fittings and the 77 caliper fittings. Works like a champ. Everything else bolted back up.

I believe the later D44s (post 72) have a stronger u joint as well.

71blazerdetroit · 11-09-2010, 03:49 PM

Definately get a post 72 dana 44, (bigger bearings, u-joint and i think axle shafts are bigger)
Since your changing over to disc and need the new proportioning valve, I assume your doing the rear also? if you are, now is the time to re-gear if necessary. You might find a set of axles with better gears for you app.

Depends on your finished tire size and trans.

Deep C 915 · 11-10-2010, 11:25 PM

Just saw some complete axle assemblies on 4wheel parts, I think I will be shopping around and try to rebuild a set of Dana 44's as suggested. I won't be doing alot of aggressive off roading (mostly sand) My tire size wil be 33-35" and have no plans to change the transmission which I believe is a SM465

First Gear - 6.55:1
Second Gear - 3.58:1
Third Gear - 1.70:1
Fourth Gear - 1.10:1
Reverse - 6.09:1

How do I decide what gears I need?

11-08-2010, 01:31 AM	#1
Deep C 915 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Houston Tex Posts: 36	Brake conversion on 1970 4x4 Blazer Just found the site and looks to have a good bunch of people and a lot of good info. I'm sure this question has been asked and being a newbie I don't know where it might be or if I’m posting this question in the right spot. Hear it is anyway.. I'm starting a restore on a 1970 4x4 blazer and looking to get different ideas on converting over to Disc brakes. Would like any input ranging from cheapest, easiest, maybe one if I had a little extra money that month.

11-08-2010, 09:04 AM	#2
Savage69K5 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Magnolia, Tx Posts: 14	Re: Brake conversion on 1970 4x4 Blazer I'd look at find a disc brake D44 and swap out the whole thing. I went through this similar issue on my 69 earlier this year. I ended up snagging a free disc brake D44 from a guy in Round Rock, and just swapped out front axles. You will need a new proportioning block as well. I'm in Houston as well (Magnolia). Not many older K5s rolling around this town.

11-08-2010, 06:50 PM	#3
Deep C 915 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Houston Tex Posts: 36	Re: Brake conversion on 1970 4x4 Blazer Thanks for the responce & that's the 2nd. time I've gotten that advice. I will start the dismantle next week. I'm not going to rush it being that this is my first attempt at restore so I will be doing alot of labeling and identifing parts for reassembly.Was that the only thing you had to change out in the break system. ?

11-08-2010, 08:26 PM	#4
Savage69K5 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Magnolia, Tx Posts: 14	Re: Brake conversion on 1970 4x4 Blazer The axle I got was out of a 77, and it had full time all wheel drive, so I had to install some Warn hubs in it to make it part time. Depending on what axle you get, I think the banjo fittings that go to the caliper may be different. My solution was to get Inline Tube fab me some stainless braided lines with the 69 frame fittings and the 77 caliper fittings. Works like a champ. Everything else bolted back up. I believe the later D44s (post 72) have a stronger u joint as well.

11-09-2010, 03:49 PM	#5
71blazerdetroit Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: detroit, mi Posts: 67	Re: Brake conversion on 1970 4x4 Blazer Definately get a post 72 dana 44, (bigger bearings, u-joint and i think axle shafts are bigger) Since your changing over to disc and need the new proportioning valve, I assume your doing the rear also? if you are, now is the time to re-gear if necessary. You might find a set of axles with better gears for you app. Depends on your finished tire size and trans.

11-10-2010, 11:25 PM	#6
Deep C 915 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Houston Tex Posts: 36	Re: Brake conversion on 1970 4x4 Blazer Just saw some complete axle assemblies on 4wheel parts, I think I will be shopping around and try to rebuild a set of Dana 44's as suggested. I won't be doing alot of aggressive off roading (mostly sand) My tire size wil be 33-35" and have no plans to change the transmission which I believe is a SM465 First Gear - 6.55:1 Second Gear - 3.58:1 Third Gear - 1.70:1 Fourth Gear - 1.10:1 Reverse - 6.09:1 How do I decide what gears I need?



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.