Disc Brake Upgrade Reference Thread

[Captainfab]

Most of the discussion in this thread is in regards to the '60-'66's, which do require 2 new holes for the '73-'87 idler arm. The '67-'72 trucks do not require those 2 new holes since the diler arm is the same as the '73-'87's. Which ever year your spindles are, if you use that year of steering linkage, you do not need those adapter sleeves. The '71-'72 spindles use a different ball joint than the '73-'87. I believe it is the uper?

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

The '71-'72 spindles use a different ball joint than the '73-'87. I believe it is the upper?

Correct.
71-72 and 73-87 use the SAME lower balljoint.
Upper balljoint and tie rods are different.

[Thefullgonzo]

Ok, question? I purchased a 78 rolling chassis, 12 bolt 3.42 with the 1 1/4 rotors. For a Crossmember swap onto my 60 for the disc brakes and power steering.The PO stated it was a hydraboost steering box. What's the difference? What size and or style brake booster master cylinder do I need. What power steering pump do I need? Or does it make a difference. I know they went to metric in 76 on the steering box hose fittings.... Oh and Captainfab I'll need one of each of you brackets for my 60 I know I'll have to mod my 60 frame for the box mount. Do I need to run hydroboost or does the steering box care?

[Captainfab]

The only difference in the steering with a hydroboost, is the power steering pump The pump will have 2 return lines into the reservoir. There is no difference whatsoever in the steering box with a hydroboost braking system.

For the master cylinder, I would just go to your local auto parts supplier and get a master for a '78 C10. That will bolt up to any of the boosters that are compatible with my booster bracket.

The pump will depend on whether you are running the hydroboost or not. The brackets will be dependant on your particular engine.

The Metric with O-ring hose fittings didn't start until right around 1980.

[Redline novdog]

I'm in so I don't have to search.GOOD info guys nice work!!!

[cooperhw]

Me too. I had seen this thread once and could not find my way back to it. Now I'm in.
I am swapping in a complete crossmember and rearend from a donor 73-87 I had stashed as a parts truck for my 81 4X4.
Where is the best place to buy body bushings and moog parts for the frontend?

[Clrussell]

Subscribing for later, thanks for all the info

[orcas tow]

Will a 1990 2 wheel drive Suburban (still square body) front suspension/crossmember also bolt in to my 63 C-10 like an up to 87 crossmember will?
I have a 63 C-10, I would like to do the complete drivetrain swap with the up to 87 C-10 front suspension. I also want fuel injection. I found a 1990 2 wheel drive 1500 series Suburban donor with a 5.7 TBI, 700r4 overdrive trans, posi traction rear end. Seems like a great modern upgrade if the crossmember will fit. Thanks

[88Lt1wagon]

It will fit, grab the sway bar, too

[orcas tow]

Thanks, Im looking at buying the whole Suburban for the suspension, EFI motor, Overdrive trans, rear end, steering box, brake booster/master, etc...

[Captainfab]

Yes that will work. The '87-'91 R/V series Suburbans and Blazers are still square bodies, so they are basically the same as the '73-'86 C/K series trucks. Suburbans and 2wd K5 Blazers. That '90 Suburban will make a nice donor.

[newtious]

i have a 98 c1500 and a 68 C20 im mid way through swapping the rear end (welding finished tonight) and waiting for the new lower ball joints to show up.. if i have read all of this correctly.. keeping the upper and lower control arms from the 68.. using the upper and lower balljoints from the 98.. things should work? uppers bolted right in.. lowers show up in the am.. as for tie rod ends ect.. im using the original center section with inner tierod end from 68 and outters from a 98.. these parts show up in the am.. and from what it looks like.. threading and rod size seems to be the same.. i think the connecting rods are from a 98.. and im going to have to cut about 3/4" off the tierod rod to make things short enough to fit.. if im missing anything please let me know... and pics will follow.. im not lowering anything.. really doing this to swap from 5.13 to 3.08 in the diff.. and from open to limited slip.. i gotta shorten the drive shaft about 2" still and figure out a U joint to connect the shaft to the rear end yoke..

[Captainfab]

You must have missed the part where that conversion is no longer recommended due to alignment issues. The originators of that conversion don't recall any alignment issues, but everyone that has tried it in the past couple of years have.

Originally Posted by newtious

i have a 98 c1500 and a 68 C20 im mid way through swapping the rear end (welding finished tonight) and waiting for the new lower ball joints to show up.. if i have read all of this correctly.. keeping the upper and lower control arms from the 68.. using the upper and lower balljoints from the 98.. things should work? uppers bolted right in.. lowers show up in the am.. as for tie rod ends ect.. im using the original center section with inner tierod end from 68 and outters from a 98.. these parts show up in the am.. and from what it looks like.. threading and rod size seems to be the same.. i think the connecting rods are from a 98.. and im going to have to cut about 3/4" off the tierod rod to make things short enough to fit.. if im missing anything please let me know... and pics will follow.. im not lowering anything.. really doing this to swap from 5.13 to 3.08 in the diff.. and from open to limited slip.. i gotta shorten the drive shaft about 2" still and figure out a U joint to connect the shaft to the rear end yoke..

[newtious]

Alignment issues is putting it politely .. The front tires sit like a V.. Going to have to measure it up and find out how far and fab up a new upper control arm.. I don't think there is room to mod the current A arm to move the ball joint closer to the frame..

Anyone know if the earlier model trucks have the same ball joints and tierod ends?

[COOP3726]

Captainfab, I have an issue with my rear disc brake conversion. I can not get enough fluid to the CAMARO brake calipers I have installed. I purchased a new proportioning valve and I am using the stock master cylinder. I get plenty of fluid to the original front calipers, but not the rear. I need help? Any suggestions? Thanks.

[Captainfab]

It sounds to me like the valve inside the prop valve has slid over and blocked the rear port. There is a recent thread here on sliding the valve back and using the centering tool to hold it open until you get the system bled. I will see if I can find the thread.

Here is the thread:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=654567

[COOP3726]

I was reading a post and I see where most people use the dual disc brake master cylinders. I also read where the difference in the two was the lines are reversed. Do I need to use this dual disc master or can I continue using my original? I'm not sure what to do.

[padresag]

Originally Posted by COOP3726

I was reading a post and I see where most people use the dual disc brake master cylinders. I also read where the difference in the two was the lines are reversed. Do I need to use this dual disc master or can I continue using my original? I'm not sure what to do.

the question is why did you go to disc brakes? so that you could stop more efficiently. perhaps that is why they upgraded the m/c at the same time.
ron

[Captainfab]

Yes you should be running a disc/disc master cylinder such as the '77-'82 Corvette master. There are other disc/disc masters that will work, but the Corvette master is what most people use.

[COOP3726]

I just happen to have one and I will install it. I thank you for your information.

[frog65]

Can 4x4 spindles from 1990 using 1990 ball joints 2500 for 2wd application

[Captainfab]

I'm not sure just what you're asking?????

The K series spindles are different than the C series spindles. If you do some reading you will se that the '88-'98 spindles are no longer recommended for the 6 lug disc brake upgrade.

Originally Posted by frog65

Can 4x4 spindles from 1990 using 1990 ball joints 2500 for 2wd application

[frog65]

Thanks. There's a lot of 4x4 spindles in salvage yard.So the 6 lug 14mm not possible just put 1980 upper & lower control arm on65 1/2 ton know what direction to go was about to get drop spindles

[frog65]

Is there a 73-87 spindles that work with 6 lug 14mm rotors and camber adjustment

[Captainfab]

You do not have to change the control arms if you don't want to. At a minimum you will need to change the ball joints to accommodate the disc brake spindles. You can purchase aftermarket 6 lug rotors that will work with the '73-'87 spindles. The Factory '88-'98 LD2500 6 lug rotors will physically fir the '73-'87 spindles, but the caliper will not line up with the rotor.