Concerning Conversion to Disc Brakes - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Billy G · 08-19-2003, 08:07 PM

In time, I want to convert the 70 GMC to disc brakes. I thought I'd stay with the 6-lug package, 2 1/2 drop spindles, ect...this will occur in the future.

My question concerns, If I buy new wheels to fit the drums I have now, will they fit the disc brakes when I convert? If not, I'll look at keeping the stock wheels for now.

I'd really appreciate any suggestions/comments.

Im going to enclose the wheel choice pic that Jason wants to put on the truck

Thanks yall

Billy G

PS *Jason is my 16 yr old son*

Jason's Wheel Choice for 70 GMC

JimKshortstep4x4 · 08-19-2003, 08:17 PM

Your link did not work for me.

If you buy wheels that fit disc brakes than they will work for drums. Some drum wheels will not fit over the calipers on the discs but wheels made for discs have plenty of clearance.

Your stock wheels may have been designed for disc brakes as discs came out in 1971 as standard equipment. I would believe that all new wheels are designed to fit disc brake setups.

Jim

ChevLoRay · 08-19-2003, 10:37 PM

When I dropped my '69, and converted to discs with 6-lug rotors, I did so because I already had a good set of wheels, and no money to change them...didn't really want to, anyway.

There are more 5-lug wheels available, than 6's, but that is changing. As for the offset, someone said that Stockton Wheels shows which offset is good for our trucks. I don't recall and I'm not going to mislead you.

One thing that will happen when you do the conversion, is the front track (width from left to right) will grow by about 3 inches, total. This will force the front tires to the outside. Some wheels may interfere with movement of the suspension, which was the case with my 15x8 wheels. Changing to a pair of 15x7's on the front, solved the problem.

On my son's '96 GMC Sportside SWB, we used DJM spindles. The stock wheels with 3.5 inch backspacing will not clear the tie rod ends. A larger diameter wheel, maybe 16-inch, bug 17 and up, will solve that dilemna.

I used Early Classic Enterprises components on my '69, with absolutely no problems.

1970blazin · 08-19-2003, 11:31 PM

I bought 15X10's for my 70 blazer...Are they going to work?? I have drums at this point, but soon to have discs. Did I make a mistake buying these wheels? 15x10 Eagle alloys. They guy said they would work.

08-19-2003, 08:07 PM	#1
Billy G Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Dayton, Tx (in Old River) Posts: 286	Concerning Conversion to Disc Brakes In time, I want to convert the 70 GMC to disc brakes. I thought I'd stay with the 6-lug package, 2 1/2 drop spindles, ect...this will occur in the future. My question concerns, If I buy new wheels to fit the drums I have now, will they fit the disc brakes when I convert? If not, I'll look at keeping the stock wheels for now. I'd really appreciate any suggestions/comments. Im going to enclose the wheel choice pic that Jason wants to put on the truck Thanks yall Billy G PS Jason is my 16 yr old son Jason's Wheel Choice for 70 GMC __________________ My FAMOUS LAST WORDS...."Ima Gonna!!" - 1970 GMC 1500 swb/step 250 I-6 3 spd - "The GEM" - 1976 Chev Scotsdale swb/step 350/350 - "The JEWEL" - 1982 Chev C-10 swb/step 250 I-6 3 spd - - 2001 Chev Silverado LT -

08-19-2003, 10:37 PM	#3
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	When I dropped my '69, and converted to discs with 6-lug rotors, I did so because I already had a good set of wheels, and no money to change them...didn't really want to, anyway. There are more 5-lug wheels available, than 6's, but that is changing. As for the offset, someone said that Stockton Wheels shows which offset is good for our trucks. I don't recall and I'm not going to mislead you. One thing that will happen when you do the conversion, is the front track (width from left to right) will grow by about 3 inches, total. This will force the front tires to the outside. Some wheels may interfere with movement of the suspension, which was the case with my 15x8 wheels. Changing to a pair of 15x7's on the front, solved the problem. On my son's '96 GMC Sportside SWB, we used DJM spindles. The stock wheels with 3.5 inch backspacing will not clear the tie rod ends. A larger diameter wheel, maybe 16-inch, bug 17 and up, will solve that dilemna. I used Early Classic Enterprises components on my '69, with absolutely no problems. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

08-19-2003, 11:31 PM	#4
1970blazin Blazerless:-( Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Olympia WA Posts: 1,612	I bought 15X10's for my 70 blazer...Are they going to work?? I have drums at this point, but soon to have discs. Did I make a mistake buying these wheels? 15x10 Eagle alloys. They guy said they would work. __________________ 1970blazin 1970 CST Blazer-Orig. Dark Blue-SOLD Progress Pics of Blazer for sale

08-19-2003, 08:17 PM	#2
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Your link did not work for me. If you buy wheels that fit disc brakes than they will work for drums. Some drum wheels will not fit over the calipers on the discs but wheels made for discs have plenty of clearance. Your stock wheels may have been designed for disc brakes as discs came out in 1971 as standard equipment. I would believe that all new wheels are designed to fit disc brake setups. Jim



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