Disc brake conversion - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

skokie · 11-03-2003, 07:48 PM

What does it take to convert a 68 chevy to disc brakes in the front? Will I need a brake booster?
Newbie Posting

rustyold69 · 11-03-2003, 07:49 PM

there are a lot of vendors that sell a complete kit

gregsplace · 11-03-2003, 08:05 PM

skokie, where are you from????

skokie · 11-03-2003, 08:18 PM

San Jose Ca. Not Illnois.

gregsplace · 11-03-2003, 08:25 PM

If you have the motor out, swap in a complete frontend off of a 71-72. Easy, bolt right up. Otherwise check with some of the vendors like rustyold69 said, Greg

bluec10 · 11-03-2003, 08:33 PM

Yes, you'll need a power brake booster, or at least a master cylinder from a truck with disk brakes.

I'm adding front discs by swapping in a front crossmember from an '84 chevy 1/2 ton. It's amazing how little these trucks changed over the years, because the '84 cross member is almost identical to the one from my '68. You'll need to drill two holes (at least I did), but otherwise the thing is bolt-in.

If you have the cash to buy a new kit, good for you. But this plan is pretty economical as there are tons of these old trucks at the wreckers. The parts are inexpensive and available everywhere and the swap is pretty easy to do.

I haven't solved the master cylinder problem yet. Does anyone have a suggestion? I can't find a power booster/master cylinder from a '69-'72 truck to swap in. Will other years work without too much difficulty?

minibike · 11-03-2003, 08:39 PM

Get the spindles, brake booster, master cylinder, and proportioning valve from a 71/72. You can probably find the whole set up for under $150.

RON WOODGEARD · 11-03-2003, 09:09 PM

I bought the complete changeover kit, from Tuckers in Las Vegas.

It cost I think $699.00 ( or something in that area) I got the dropped spindles,calipers, rotors,dropped springs,all disc hardware, lines etc. The only thing it didn't have ( and junkyardjohn found me one) was a proportioning valve.

Yes I could've went the junkyard route, but Why start with used and have to change again sometime in the future..

Ron

Tx Firefighter · 11-03-2003, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bluec10
I haven't solved the master cylinder problem yet. Does anyone have a suggestion? I can't find a power booster/master cylinder from a '69-'72 truck to swap in. Will other years work without too much difficulty?

There are several members here who used an early 80s master cylinder, without booster. That way, even the lines should work with your later front end. An advantage to the later master cylinder is that it's aluminum and plastic, so rust isn't a worry.

cableguy0 · 11-03-2003, 10:26 PM

blue c/10 just get a new master cylinder and brake booster its not worth taking the chance with 30 year old parts that will probably fail in short order anyways or have already failed. same goes for the prop valve. the brakes are the most important thing on a truck if ya cant stop it things get real scary. i feel my life is worth 200 bucks in new parts to know they will work properly

68c10owner · 11-04-2003, 01:33 AM

all you need is the spindles out. you`ll also need the master cylinder and proportioning valve. i just bought a set for my `68 off of a `71 and was told i`ll need the `71up ball joints,tierods,centerlink,ect. there is many ways to do the swap, just depends on how you want to do it.

minibike · 11-04-2003, 08:54 AM

Grab some of the other parts too...The booster core value is $60 at the parts store. The master cylinder has a core value too. I replaced all the wear items, but used all the used parts for their core values.

boraxman · 11-04-2003, 10:24 AM

Ive been doing the used parts/ junk yard route. If I had it to do over I think I would just spend the money and get a kit. I have gathered alot of info though. Brake lines will be my next hurdle.

landon4421 · 11-04-2003, 01:46 PM

I am looking into a 73 and up swap ! I know a guy who has a short bed 73 that is just sitting and I was thinking about getting the parts off of it to swap the drums out of our 69 burb ! Will this work ?

If it will not I will have these parts for sale ! Landon

DavidM · 11-04-2003, 03:36 PM

Got my kit from...

http://www.mcgaughysclassic.com

Went on perfect easy as pie....

bluec10 · 11-04-2003, 08:12 PM

Thanks for answering my questions about the master cylinder/booster.

I'm also wondering about the pedals. I've got a truck that came with a 3 on the tree and I want to go to an automatic. Do I need to go with 67-73 automatic transmission pedals or can something newer fit? Is it a big deal to change the pedal assembly?

Does anyone have a shoe horne big enough to fit me under the dash?

skokie · 11-04-2003, 08:18 PM

I cant speak to the pedals but I can speak to the column swapout. Make sure you have all of the washers.

My column swapout has been stalled due to a lack of washers which should be here tomorrow.

Tx Firefighter · 11-04-2003, 08:38 PM

The automatics use the same brake pedal as the standards do. Just pull the clutch pedal and you're done.

JadeEmperor · 11-08-2003, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by cableguy0
blue c/10 just get a new master cylinder and brake booster its not worth taking the chance with 30 year old parts that will probably fail in short order anyways or have already failed. same goes for the prop valve. the brakes are the most important thing on a truck if ya cant stop it things get real scary. i feel my life is worth 200 bucks in new parts to know they will work properly

so cablebuy - even though I have a four wheel drum 70 with a power booster. You suggest going ahead with the new master and booster and not just the spindles, rotors, calipers, propotioning valve, etc.

Originally I was just going for those since I had a booster but sounds like you've had some experiance, unpleasant at that.

boraxman · 11-08-2003, 02:10 PM

You need the same year master/booster as the brakes your using. If using 71-72 brakes use a 71-72 mas/booster. Also make sure if you have a c10 to use c10 master/booster.

11-03-2003, 07:48 PM	#1
skokie Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Jose Ca. Posts: 3,354	Disc brake conversion What does it take to convert a 68 chevy to disc brakes in the front? Will I need a brake booster? Newbie Posting

11-03-2003, 07:49 PM	#2
rustyold69 student wrench turner Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: wrightstown, wisconsin Posts: 192	there are a lot of vendors that sell a complete kit __________________ 1969 Chevy C-10 with 250 L6 2002 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Duramax with banks six gun

11-03-2003, 08:05 PM	#3
gregsplace Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Colwich,Kansas Posts: 713	skokie, where are you from???? __________________ 67 3/4 4x4 402,a/t,flat bed 98 GMC Sierra swb daily driver 87 burb parting out. 68 1/2 chevy, 350/350, 71 gmc frame, kid's beater 69 1ton 396-4sp, dump 69 swb stepside 396/400th current frameup 67 swb 454/400th rebuilding now, oldest boy just rolled it 99,HD, Road King Classic Colwich Ks

11-03-2003, 08:25 PM	#5
gregsplace Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Colwich,Kansas Posts: 713	If you have the motor out, swap in a complete frontend off of a 71-72. Easy, bolt right up. Otherwise check with some of the vendors like rustyold69 said, Greg __________________ 67 3/4 4x4 402,a/t,flat bed 98 GMC Sierra swb daily driver 87 burb parting out. 68 1/2 chevy, 350/350, 71 gmc frame, kid's beater 69 1ton 396-4sp, dump 69 swb stepside 396/400th current frameup 67 swb 454/400th rebuilding now, oldest boy just rolled it 99,HD, Road King Classic Colwich Ks

11-03-2003, 08:33 PM	#6
bluec10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 663	Yes, you'll need a power brake booster, or at least a master cylinder from a truck with disk brakes. I'm adding front discs by swapping in a front crossmember from an '84 chevy 1/2 ton. It's amazing how little these trucks changed over the years, because the '84 cross member is almost identical to the one from my '68. You'll need to drill two holes (at least I did), but otherwise the thing is bolt-in. If you have the cash to buy a new kit, good for you. But this plan is pretty economical as there are tons of these old trucks at the wreckers. The parts are inexpensive and available everywhere and the swap is pretty easy to do. I haven't solved the master cylinder problem yet. Does anyone have a suggestion? I can't find a power booster/master cylinder from a '69-'72 truck to swap in. Will other years work without too much difficulty? __________________ Present: 2015 Tacoma. Yeah, not a GM, but I love it. 1969 GMC 32,000 - fix, drive, relax, fix... 2019 BMW R1250 GSA - Yahoooooooo 1979 Honda GL 1000 - retro touring at its best. Past: '05 Sierra 4x4 - Had 270,000 KM and running well when it was written-off by a stop sign runner. '94 F-150 from the "F word" company. I'll admit it...good truck. Sold what was left of it for $800 to a guy who came to pick it up at 11:00 PM with cash in hand. Hmm. '79 Sierra Grande (Black) organ donor - perfect rebuildable 4-bolt 350 and a good TH350. '76 Sierra Grande (Orange) - hate isn't too strong a word. Kid who bought it turned it into a hot rod. '68 C-10 R.I.P. - Dad's old truck...too far gone to resurrect. '59 C-50 - with hoist. Truck is gone, wife isn't. Nuff said.

11-03-2003, 08:18 PM	#4
skokie Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Jose Ca. Posts: 3,354	San Jose Ca. Not Illnois.

11-03-2003, 08:39 PM	#7
minibike Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Lafayette, LA Posts: 500	Get the spindles, brake booster, master cylinder, and proportioning valve from a 71/72. You can probably find the whole set up for under $150. __________________ 69 SWB LT1/4L60E www.classicplace.com

11-03-2003, 09:09 PM	#8
RON WOODGEARD Resident Young Old Dude ! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Nevada Posts: 1,948	I bought the complete changeover kit, from Tuckers in Las Vegas. It cost I think $699.00 ( or something in that area) I got the dropped spindles,calipers, rotors,dropped springs,all disc hardware, lines etc. The only thing it didn't have ( and junkyardjohn found me one) was a proportioning valve. Yes I could've went the junkyard route, but Why start with used and have to change again sometime in the future.. Ron

11-03-2003, 10:26 PM	#10
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,948	blue c/10 just get a new master cylinder and brake booster its not worth taking the chance with 30 year old parts that will probably fail in short order anyways or have already failed. same goes for the prop valve. the brakes are the most important thing on a truck if ya cant stop it things get real scary. i feel my life is worth 200 bucks in new parts to know they will work properly __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

11-04-2003, 01:33 AM	#11
68c10owner Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Carmichael, California Posts: 3,011	all you need is the spindles out. you`ll also need the master cylinder and proportioning valve. i just bought a set for my `68 off of a `71 and was told i`ll need the `71up ball joints,tierods,centerlink,ect. there is many ways to do the swap, just depends on how you want to do it. __________________ Anthony

11-04-2003, 08:54 AM	#12
minibike Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Lafayette, LA Posts: 500	Grab some of the other parts too...The booster core value is $60 at the parts store. The master cylinder has a core value too. I replaced all the wear items, but used all the used parts for their core values. __________________ 69 SWB LT1/4L60E www.classicplace.com

11-04-2003, 10:24 AM	#13
boraxman Keepin an eye out Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: So.Cal Posts: 3,920	Ive been doing the used parts/ junk yard route. If I had it to do over I think I would just spend the money and get a kit. I have gathered alot of info though. Brake lines will be my next hurdle. __________________ 1970 Chevy C10 SWB 5.3 1996 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 2007 Vespa GTS 250 Scooter ZIP 91351

11-04-2003, 01:46 PM	#14
landon4421 Life is Good ! Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Hollister, Ca. Posts: 1,992	I am looking into a 73 and up swap ! I know a guy who has a short bed 73 that is just sitting and I was thinking about getting the parts off of it to swap the drums out of our 69 burb ! Will this work ? If it will not I will have these parts for sale ! Landon __________________ '72 Chevy C10 4x4 shortbed "Project" '71 Chevy C10 2wd longbed "partsrunner" '91 Chevy Burb 4x4 "kidrunner" '14 Honda Accord Sport "commuter"

11-04-2003, 03:36 PM	#15
DavidM Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Modesto Ca. Posts: 147	this is what i put on Got my kit from... http://www.mcgaughysclassic.com Went on perfect easy as pie.... __________________ David M Proud Owner of A 67 C10 Shortfleet 350/350/3.73

11-04-2003, 08:12 PM	#16
bluec10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 663	Thanks for answering my questions about the master cylinder/booster. I'm also wondering about the pedals. I've got a truck that came with a 3 on the tree and I want to go to an automatic. Do I need to go with 67-73 automatic transmission pedals or can something newer fit? Is it a big deal to change the pedal assembly? Does anyone have a shoe horne big enough to fit me under the dash? __________________ Present: 2015 Tacoma. Yeah, not a GM, but I love it. 1969 GMC 32,000 - fix, drive, relax, fix... 2019 BMW R1250 GSA - Yahoooooooo 1979 Honda GL 1000 - retro touring at its best. Past: '05 Sierra 4x4 - Had 270,000 KM and running well when it was written-off by a stop sign runner. '94 F-150 from the "F word" company. I'll admit it...good truck. Sold what was left of it for $800 to a guy who came to pick it up at 11:00 PM with cash in hand. Hmm. '79 Sierra Grande (Black) organ donor - perfect rebuildable 4-bolt 350 and a good TH350. '76 Sierra Grande (Orange) - hate isn't too strong a word. Kid who bought it turned it into a hot rod. '68 C-10 R.I.P. - Dad's old truck...too far gone to resurrect. '59 C-50 - with hoist. Truck is gone, wife isn't. Nuff said.



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11-04-2003, 08:18 PM	#17
skokie Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Jose Ca. Posts: 3,354	I cant speak to the pedals but I can speak to the column swapout. Make sure you have all of the washers. My column swapout has been stalled due to a lack of washers which should be here tomorrow.

11-04-2003, 08:38 PM	#18
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	The automatics use the same brake pedal as the standards do. Just pull the clutch pedal and you're done. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

11-08-2003, 02:10 PM	#20
boraxman Keepin an eye out Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: So.Cal Posts: 3,920	You need the same year master/booster as the brakes your using. If using 71-72 brakes use a 71-72 mas/booster. Also make sure if you have a c10 to use c10 master/booster. __________________ 1970 Chevy C10 SWB 5.3 1996 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4x4 2007 Vespa GTS 250 Scooter ZIP 91351

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