swapping from drums to rotors? 1965 4x4 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

caddyhack · 03-20-2011, 07:32 PM

So I have a 1965 c10 factory 4x4 with the origional "6 lug" front axle and it has drum brakes up front. I was wondering if there is a kit, OR BETTER YET a newer truck I can steal brake parts off of from the junkyard to swap mine over to disk brakes up front? Im in the middle of doing my brakes. It needs a new Master cyl. Drums. Shoes. And front hubs(cus previous owner seriously jerry rigged the hubs) and while im in there i though about swapping it over since im running 38" tires and I dont want to rearend someone on the street.. If there is a truck to steel them from. What Year, Make, and Model do I need to get the parts off of???
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Permafrost · 03-20-2011, 11:58 PM

I believe you'll have to swap the entire axle over to a disc-brake equipped axle out of a newer truck, plus match the gear ratio. I'm not aware of any drum-to-disc kits for the front on a 4x4.... ?
I have a '68 K10 with front drums, I recently acquired a disc-brake D44 out of a '76 truck for a donor. Plus the open knuckle axle has a bit tighter turning radius too.

Also, you'll have to swap m/cyl and brake prop valve for the disc too.
Maybe someone else will chime in with some other options...

thirdstreettito · 03-21-2011, 12:40 AM

This should be what you need.

http://www.blackbirdscustomtrucks.com/index25.html

BLAZERMAN · 03-21-2011, 01:28 AM

I agree with Permafrost...best way is to find a 71 to 87 Dana 44 or 10 bolt, as long as it matches your rear ratio. On a side note the 73 up axle shafts and u joints are a little stronger...might help since your gonna be running 38s

Also the kit from Blackbirds is for an 8 lug conversion..they didnt list a kit for the 6 lug 1/2 ton axle...and I know they have some quallity stuff since I've used it myself but at 535.00 I think anyones best bet is to get away from the closed knuckle front, unless you want to keep it stock in which case you wouldnt be wanting discs anyway.

68 TT · 03-26-2011, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLAZERMAN

I agree with Permafrost...best way is to find a 71 to 87 Dana 44 or 10 bolt, as long as it matches your rear ratio. On a side note the 73 up axle shafts and u joints are a little stronger...might help since your gonna be running 38s

Also the kit from Blackbirds is for an 8 lug conversion..they didnt list a kit for the 6 lug 1/2 ton axle...and I know they have some quallity stuff since I've used it myself but at 535.00 I think anyones best bet is to get away from the closed knuckle front, unless you want to keep it stock in which case you wouldnt be wanting discs anyway.

x3

A disc brake Dana-44 or 10-bolt can be had for under $100. You would be lucky to find the disc brake parts you need to convert yours for that.

'63GENIII · 03-26-2011, 09:15 PM

Up here you can get a D44 8 lug for 100-400 in good shape. The six lugs are even cheaper because they seem to be more abundant. I'd be looking in that direction.

Redcap · 03-27-2011, 01:27 PM

Find a Craigslist open knuckle front axle instead of sink a bunch of money into a junk one (closed knuckle).

03-20-2011, 07:32 PM	#1
caddyhack Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Lancaster Ca Posts: 105	swapping from drums to rotors? 1965 4x4 So I have a 1965 c10 factory 4x4 with the origional "6 lug" front axle and it has drum brakes up front. I was wondering if there is a kit, OR BETTER YET a newer truck I can steal brake parts off of from the junkyard to swap mine over to disk brakes up front? Im in the middle of doing my brakes. It needs a new Master cyl. Drums. Shoes. And front hubs(cus previous owner seriously jerry rigged the hubs) and while im in there i though about swapping it over since im running 38" tires and I dont want to rearend someone on the street.. If there is a truck to steel them from. What Year, Make, and Model do I need to get the parts off of??? Posted via Mobile Device __________________ I wish I was rich instead of so damn good lookin!!

03-20-2011, 11:58 PM	#2
Permafrost Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: 64deg N. 147deg W. or thereabouts Posts: 87	Re: swapping from drums to rotors? 1965 4x4 I believe you'll have to swap the entire axle over to a disc-brake equipped axle out of a newer truck, plus match the gear ratio. I'm not aware of any drum-to-disc kits for the front on a 4x4.... ? I have a '68 K10 with front drums, I recently acquired a disc-brake D44 out of a '76 truck for a donor. Plus the open knuckle axle has a bit tighter turning radius too. Also, you'll have to swap m/cyl and brake prop valve for the disc too. Maybe someone else will chime in with some other options... __________________ Too Many Projects: '50 GMC '62 Nova drop-top '68 K10 '68 Chevelle SS Last edited by Permafrost; 03-21-2011 at 12:02 AM.

03-21-2011, 12:40 AM	#3
thirdstreettito Resident of Here Join Date: May 2008 Location: Wesley Chapel, FL, USA Posts: 7,716	Re: swapping from drums to rotors? 1965 4x4 This should be what you need. http://www.blackbirdscustomtrucks.com/index25.html __________________ ~Bradley~ 2004 Black GTO LS2/T56 too much to list Miss having a truck

03-21-2011, 01:28 AM	#4
BLAZERMAN Currently Blazerless Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: St. Joseph Mo. Posts: 4,826	Re: swapping from drums to rotors? 1965 4x4 I agree with Permafrost...best way is to find a 71 to 87 Dana 44 or 10 bolt, as long as it matches your rear ratio. On a side note the 73 up axle shafts and u joints are a little stronger...might help since your gonna be running 38s Also the kit from Blackbirds is for an 8 lug conversion..they didnt list a kit for the 6 lug 1/2 ton axle...and I know they have some quallity stuff since I've used it myself but at 535.00 I think anyones best bet is to get away from the closed knuckle front, unless you want to keep it stock in which case you wouldnt be wanting discs anyway. __________________ 1972 C/30 133" W.B. C&C 1970 GMC 3500 157" W.B. single wheel C&C

03-26-2011, 09:15 PM	#6
'63GENIII Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: San Carlos, Ca. Posts: 3,048	Re: swapping from drums to rotors? 1965 4x4 Up here you can get a D44 8 lug for 100-400 in good shape. The six lugs are even cheaper because they seem to be more abundant. I'd be looking in that direction. __________________ Chris '63 k15 long step Vortec 7.4 - L29 Blackbear tune, Five 0 Motorsports injectors, Chris Straub Cam, NV4500, divorced 205 52" front and 63" rear spring swap D44 / 14bff - disc axles Milemarker 9K and 10.5K hydraulic winches 63" & B52 Spring Install http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ng+swap+thread NV4500 Reverse Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=reverse+build L29 - 7.4 Vortec Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...&highlight=L29

03-27-2011, 01:27 PM	#7
Redcap Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lewis County, WA Posts: 1,523	Re: swapping from drums to rotors? 1965 4x4 Find a Craigslist open knuckle front axle instead of sink a bunch of money into a junk one (closed knuckle).



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