8 Lug disc brake conversion

[ratskin]

There's a 3/4 ton front end complete, powdercoated black, new hardware, for $150. Craigslist Quad Cities Iowa. Direct bolt in on 63-66, since he used a 71/72 crossmember. I'd have got it for mine, but I'd have had to change too much to use it on my 1/2T Suburban.

[64c20crewcab]

Diggin this thread!

On my 64 C20 I had to swap out REAR drums long ago while on a budget (still on it :/ ) and cost was way cheaper to convert to disc.

REAR DISC BRAKE PARTS FOR EATON H052/72 REARENDS:
Order brackets from Great Lake Off Road: Bout $75
Calipers, Rotors, Lines(Just over $200) are from 1975 K20 Front Disc Brakes setup.
Will need dust shields for a 14bolt rear end too...

I used the '75 parts originally in '06 and recently swapped all to 1980 parts due to 1 caliper locked up and these are all the shop had in stock that day.

You can reuse the stock hub by pressing out the 8 wheel studs to separate hub from rotor but note that studs are smaller in diameter than ones used on the 75 and later models.

To reuse the stock hub can either:
*center the hub to the rotor when pressing in the original studs
*machine out the stud holes to accommodate the larger studs
*or you can spend the $$ to get a rotor with loaded hub from O'rielly or other parts source. I'm NOT sure if the later model 14bolt hub will work with the Eaton though! Anyone? Anyone??

I centered the hub and rotor and all works just fine for the past 6yrs on my daily driver! (& I'm still on that budget....)

Never did the front but am going wreckin yard parts hunting this weekend.

[64c20crewcab]

MORE INFO ON REAR DRUM TO DISC BRAKE SWAP:
REAR DISC BRAKE PARTS FOR EATON H052/72 REARENDS:
Order bracket kit from Great Lakes Off Road: $66.50
http://www.greatlakeoffroad.com/GLO-...rsion-Kit.html - brackets and hardware only

Here is a link for a all parts rear 8-lug conversion kit: http://www.blackbirdscustomtrucks.com/index7.html EXPENSIVE!!!

[Captainfab]

There are a couple other rear disc caliper brackets that I like better......

http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/catalog/BoltOn.html

http://diy4x.com/cart/index.php?rout...tegory&path=37

I have heard that the brackets for the 14 bolt will also work on the Eaton HO52/72. I haven't tried it yet myself.

[gmebey]

just subscribing to post

[64c20crewcab]

I neglected to mention long ago that the brackets that came with the kit I'm using are for a later model 14bolt. Recently did Caliper n Rotors swap again, parts are from an early-mid 1980's Chevy K20 Blazer front end.

[Jonnyspringfield]

Subscribing

[Intimudator]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Yes you can use the factory parts from a '73-87 C20 just like is commonly done with the C10's. The one exception is the lower control arms. You will likely need to keep your original lower control arms, as the shafts mount differently than the newer ones. I haven't confirmed it, but I'm fairly certain that the '73-'87 lower ball joints will fit the '63-'66 lower control arms.

I have a 1961 c30. Will it work the same or is there stock parts I can use for it?
Posted via Mobile Device

[Captainfab]

I replied to your other post concerning this.

Originally Posted by Intimudator

I have a 1961 c30. Will it work the same or is there stock parts I can use for it?
Posted via Mobile Device

[deerel1]

Does anyone have information about converting a 3/4 ton 4 wheel drive front end to disc brakes? I see a lot of info abotu 2WD but not much that talks specificly about 4WD. Any insight would be appreciated as I am just starting the rebuild of one.

[Captainfab]

First off, what year is your K20? If it is an original '60-'66, you might be better off changing the entire front differential. I used to have a '69 K20 rolling frame that had a closed knuckle Dana 44 with disc brakes. I'm not sure just how much of your front differential you would have to change to add disc brakes for a '69 K20. At the very least you would need the backing plate/caliper mounts, the spindles, hubs, rotors and calipers. You can likely find more specific info in the 4wd section of this forum.

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...aysprune=&f=30

Originally Posted by deerel1

Does anyone have information about converting a 3/4 ton 4 wheel drive front end to disc brakes? I see a lot of info abotu 2WD but not much that talks specificly about 4WD. Any insight would be appreciated as I am just starting the rebuild of one.

[deerel1]

Thanks for the response!

[Magicalzoomer]

Originally Posted by jcrawl

You will need to go withthe updated Ball joints from the donor i just did this on my 65 gmc they are a smallerball joint spindle will not even fit on the orginal ones good luck any questions feel free to ask. I useda set up off of an 86 chevy for mine used orig controll arms just swaped spindles and ball joints.

Hey Guys,
3 days into removing my driver’s side lower ball joint and at this point am very seriously considering upgrading to discs in an affordable way if I can ever get it out. I think my ballpoint will be toast after beating on it this much with a 4lb hammer.

Want to confirm a few things about converting to discs:
Is it as simple as using the following if I wanted to use 65 c20 control arms?

Lower Ball Joint-73/87 3/4 ton
-will I need to drill 65 LCA to get it to fit?
Upper Ball Joint-73/87 3/4 ton
8 Lug Discs-73/87 3/4 ton
Tie Rods-can I run stock 65, or do I need to change?.
Anything else I’m missing?

Thanks guys! Keep you posted if I can ever remove this balljoint.

[rpmerf]

73-87 upper and lower ball joints
73-87 spindles, rotors, calipers, master, prop valve
73-87 outer tie rod

You have a couple options
Use a conversion tie rod sleeve and your center link and inner tie rods

Use a 73-87 center link, inner tie rods, and adjusters.

[Captainfab]

I personally have not confirmed that a '73-'87 C20 lower ball joint will press into a '63-'66 C20 lower control arm. Another member here says that it will press in. The conversion for a C20 is NOT necessarily the same as for a C10. There are no aftermarket aluminum tierod adapter sleeves that I have seen for a C20.

[Magicalzoomer]

Hey captain Fab and all,

Thanks for the heads up. Just want to double confirm- will 73-87 lower control arms work for 65 c20 without front end swap? Reason being, I cannot find 1 single set of lca’s for a 65 online.

Details:
I am currently getting started on the disc swap and am running into an issue.

I can absolutely not remove lower balljoints. 1 week in, heat/hammer you name it, so I just want to swap the LCA so I can complete swap.

Thanks everyone for the help.

[Captainfab]

No. You can not bolt any lower control arms to a '63-'66 C20/30 crossmember other than the originals. Reason being there are no saddles to accept and locate the round control arm shafts that every other year of truck use. You will have to either change the balljoints in your original LCA's or change the entire crossmember. One other option is that I have heard that there is an aftermarket dropped spindle that will fit the original balljoints on the '63-'66 C20/30's. I just don't remember who it is that makes them. It was in another thread here somewhere.