1970 k20 front brake drums

[tj_1970_k20]

I have found a machine shop that will make these drums. They quoted $260 a piece and the minimum order is 8. I'm trying to put together a group to make a bulk order. If you need some and would like to get in on an order send me a PM.

[jeffahart]

I am very torn over this, that amount for drums is not trivial. To me drums are $50, and probably should be for two. Drums are supposed to be cheaper.

I am looking very seriously at getting a newer Dana 44 or 60. And the truth is, for this truck and how I drive, drums are fine. I just don't want grief every time I need a component for the brake system. I just don't like part hunting for something like brakes for a 1970 vehicle. I've been lucky because my drums are still OK(only OK). All I did when I got the truck is a bleed and adjustment. But I did purchase and squirrel away two wheel cylinders for the rear eaton, because I know my day is coming.

['63GENIII]

I'm all for keeping it original, but two of those buys a good 3/4 ton Dana 44 while 4 of those could purchase a kingpin 60. Both having better stopping than the drums would ever have. I'd be torn too... or looking on eBay for good used drums.

[vectorit]

I have told myself, that when the drums on my all 1968 OE spec restoration have come to a point of being dangerous or unable to repair I would upgrade to disc.

I've been collecting parts to do this already, so when the day comes I will be ready for the upgrade. Until then, my drums stop just fine for how often and style I drive.

[chevytruckguy70]

I had the same problem finding drums for my 70 K20. My truck has been converted to disc already but I do have my original front axle which is missing the drums. I have been considering putting it back under the truck because I do not like the wide berth of disc brakes.

In researching the drums I couldn't find them listed anywhere so I called to a few places and was surprised to find they do carry them, they just don't advertise them. I found a set for ~120 ea. I believe it was oldchevytrucks.com who had it but I'm not sure. I can't locate the info right now.

Sometimes it pays to call and not just google. Hope this helps.

[jeffahart]

Originally Posted by chevytruckguy70

I do not like the wide berth of disc brakes.

What do you mean by this. I thought disc conversion was a slam dunk axle swap and everything else is the same(except of course lines valve and such). Are you saying the front will have a wider footprint or something, or are you saying the actual disc takes up more space inside the actual wheel/rim.

Thanks,
jeff

[chevytruckguy70]

The disc brake axles are wider than drum or I should say the axle tubes are the same but everything after the tubes are wider. My truck has 10" wheels which really show the difference. My front are about 1.25" wider than the rear. As far as i can tell from my research all disc front ends are wider. They'll bolt right in but.... the 10" wheels and 33" tires rub the front of my fender when I turn. My is still at stock height though.

[jeffahart]

My front axle footprint is wider than my rear with the drum 44. Looks like about by 3/4 to 1" each side. I read they were built that way so the rear would track better in mud and such.

So now, I can count on an additional 3/4" each side on top of that ? Not good. I was a real stickler about beating down retailers to get the offset on my rims so the tires would not stick out excessively outside the wheel well.

This additional 1.5" inch in width will be a deal killer for me. Now pricey drums are looking better!

Now I will be re-analyzing the whole axle swap situation now.



Thanks,
jeff

[chevytruckguy70]

Don't jump into anything, do some checking on your own. I just know my 69 K20 with drum brakes did not have a wider front end and my 70 with an axle swap does. Once I bought the 70 I started really paying attention to the 4x4s and thats when I noticed all the disc brake trucks were wider. Then I happened to find out the previous owner still had my original front end so I bought it. Using it I was able to determine the axles were the same length out to the end of the tubes and the difference is with the disc brakes. I'm going to go with an 8" wheel instead of the 10" and then see what it looks like. IMHO these trucks look best with the wheels inside the fenders.

[chevytruckguy70]

Remember though that disc brakes stop much faster and straighter than drum. Especially in wet conditions. So the trade off is well worth it for a truck owner who drives his truck, not just shows it. They do have spacers that can be used in the rear to help with the offset.

[derotoreut]

My '70 K10 is 3-1/2" wider in the front then across the rear with stock drum brakes all the way around. I dropped all four tires and took measurements from one side to the other on both front and rear. That's 1-3/4" on each side! I am running 8" stock rims. You can check my pictures listed below if you want.

[chevytruckguy70]

Sorry, I'm just now getting back to this. I'm curious as to why my 69 K20 front axle was not as wide as my 70 K20? My 69 had a closed knuckle front end and drum brakes. Although I did not measure them the front and rear tires (10" wide) did sit the same in the fender wells while my 70 front tires stick out.

Since I do have the stock drum brake axle for my 70 I measured the distance from the end of one tube to the other and compared that to the disc brake axle. Since they measure the same I came to the conclusion the difference must be in the Disc brake assembly. I've had others in the forum also tell me the disc brake axle is longer so I'm a little confused as to what to believe.

Could there be some axles out there of different lengths?

[millerme]

Hello all,

Sorry I'm late to the party. I found the forum while searching info on converting my 70 K20 to all disk brakes. I'm not sure where you all are located, but I live just outside of Louisville Kentucky. Any way, I have four brand new drums two are currently installed on the front of my truck, two are on the shelf. I don't drive my truck very often. I rebuilt the front end and was getting ready to do the rear, when I went to find the self adjusters for the rear, I couldn't find them anywhere. So I welt to a local salvage yard and got an entire full float axel out of an 84 3/4 ton chevy and converted the rears to 13"s. Anyway if someone would be interested in swapping some parts contact me.