Gathering parts for front disc brakes for 1969

[dmjlambert]

OK regarding Motive Gear MG6569 replacement axle shafts. I have measured the center hole of the 71 rear brake drum at 3-1/8 inch and found info in the Q&A on Summit’s site that says the brake pilot is 3.06" so that will fit.

The specs say the shaft is 30.5" long. Is there a way for me to confirm the length and that I'm getting the right one without taking the axle out of the differential? I see Motive Gear has another axle shaft part number 14071751 with length 31.281" long and 71 C10 is in the fitment list. So I suppose that is the longer of the two choices and the one I should not choose.

Should I drain the differential and remove the axle before I order? Or is there another way to verify I have the shorter differential of 1969? If I do remove the axle, where are the measurements taken from on the axle shaft?

[lolife99]

If you can measure between backing plates that will tell you what you have.
55-1/2” on the narrow 67-69 housing.
57” on the wider 70-72 housing.
Some say there was a narrow 70 housing.
I’ve never seen one.

[MikeB]

OK regarding Motive Gear MG6569 replacement axle shafts. I have measured the center hole of the 71 rear brake drum at 3-1/8 inch and found info in the Q&A on Summit’s site that says the brake pilot is 3.06" so that will fit.

The specs say the shaft is 30.5" long. Is there a way for me to confirm the length and that I'm getting the right one without taking the axle out of the differential? I see Motive Gear has another axle shaft part number 14071751 with length 31.281" long and 71 C10 is in the fitment list. So I suppose that is the longer of the two choices and the one I should not choose.

Should I drain the differential and remove the axle before I order? Or is there another way to verify I have the shorter differential of 1969? If I do remove the axle, where are the measurements taken from on the axle shaft?

Here's a way to keep it simple: I converted a friend's 66 C10 from 6-lug to 5-lug several years ago. I called either Strange or Currie (can't remember which) and the guy I spoke with knew exactly what I needed. He gave me the part number and dimensions immediately without having to look up anything.

That's what I recommend you do. No worrying about making sure you order the correct parts.

[dmjlambert]

Is it done like this on that raised curved area?

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by dmjlambert

Is it done like this on that raised curved area?

That’s where I measure.
Looks like you have the narrower housing.
So it will have the shorter axles.

[dmjlambert]

Great, so I will go ahead and get those on order.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by dmjlambert

Great, so I will go ahead and get those on order.

Just curious the price of these axles?
Do they come with lug studs also?
Bearings and seals?

[dmjlambert]

Thanks for your help and expertise!

[dmjlambert]

They don't come with the bearings, seals or studs. I found on the Summit Q&A section the studs recommended are 1/2-20, knurl is .535, Dorman 610-138. So I will get those little items at O'Reilly probably. I found the axle shafts on National Drivetrain's ebay listings for $83.04 each. Summit has them for $100.99 which isn't bad price either. But I went the eBay route.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by dmjlambert

They don't come with the bearings, seals or studs. I found on the Summit Q&A section the studs recommended are 1/2-20, knurl is .535, Dorman 610-138. So I will get those little items at O'Reilly probably. I found the axle shafts on National Drivetrain's ebay listings for $83.04 each. Summit has them for $100.99 which isn't bad price either. But I went the eBay route.

Thanks for the info.
That’s a good price.
Amazon also has them.
$94.49 each.
https://www.amazon.com/Motive-Gear-M.../dp/B005TDQ9OY

[Accelo]

Amazon price is now 113.24 each.
That's a 9.8% increase in one day.

Amazon also lists as "Only 2 left in stock - order soon."

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by Accelo

Amazon price is now 113.24 each.
That's a 9.8% increase in one day.

Amazon also lists as "Only 2 left in stock - order soon."

Hmmmm
My link still shows them at $94.

[dmjlambert]

I'm sorry but I don't know who Strange and Currie are. Is that 2 forum members here? In any case, I have ordered the axles and I think they might fit.

So far I am happy with the direction I'm heading with this. When I get all done the only "conversion" parts I will have are the 2 axle shafts for the differential. Everything else will be just plain 69 and 71 parts. That's my plan anyway.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by dmjlambert

I'm sorry but I don't know who Strange and Currie are.

Known worldwide for differentials and axles. You get what you pay for.

https://www.currieenterprises.com/

https://www.strangeengineering.net/

[dmjlambert]

They are back down to $94. With Amazon you may have multiple vendors selling the same thing for different prices, and depending on who has what in stock you may see the next best offer. It can be confusing.

[dmjlambert]

OK thanks. I didn't know that. If these don't work out I will either go to a race shop to re-do the flanges on my original axles like you did, or contact one of those shops you mention. I'm trying here, but don't have all the knowledge.

[dmjlambert]

I would like to buy pre-bent all new brake lines. I would prefer pre-bent and ready to use lines because of the potential time savings and convenience, and hopefully quality. I have made my own bends and flares before and my work is not really satisfying.

I really like GMC Pauls, but when I tried to get help with selecting the right stuff they informed me they don't sell brake conversion parts.

There's a lot of recommendations here for Inline Tube, but when I try to get help from them, they are just trying real hard to sell me the 1969 drum/drum tube set, and extra long stainless braided hoses for the front. After much research and hunting around in their website and catalogs I finally figured out the reason they are steering me this way is because they don't sell front separate from rear. If I buy from them I really just need to buy the 69 and 71 sets and use the rear portion of the 69 set and front portion of the 71 set, and throw out the extra parts. I'm not really into doing that sort of thing. Something about that just bothers me.

It doesn't look like I can buy stainless steel front and rear separately from anybody, it is always one kit for one year. So it looks like I will get steel. I think it will be fine. For a minute I was thinking stainless would be cool and the difference in price is not huge, if only I were able to buy the front and rear kits for different years.

The 69 rear set is appropriate for the shorter differential, and the 71 set is appropriate for the lines going to the front of the crossmember where the hoses attach.

I'm leaning toward LMC where I can buy plain steel, a 71 front set, and 69 rear set. I'm trying to keep the costs of the conversion reasonable.

[lolife99]

Have you talked to Classic Tube?
https://classictube.com/?gclid=Cj0KC...gaAtUREALw_wcB

They helped me years ago when no one else had what I needed.

[dmjlambert]

Thanks! I will check them out.

[pjmoreland]

I used this front '72 set on my '68.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/rsd-tkt7105s

I have since ordered the front-to-rear and rear axle lines separately for my year from Inline tube. By the way, the lines GMCPauls sells are from Inline Tube.

[dmjlambert]

Thanks. I really appreciate hearing what to look at and about what you used. The application notes at Summit don't mention if it is for power or manual brakes for this set. Is there a difference between power or manual when it comes to choosing lines?

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by dmjlambert

Thanks. I really appreciate hearing what to look at and about what you used. The application notes at Summit don't mention if it is for power or manual brakes for this set. Is there a difference between power or manual when it comes to choosing lines?

That particular set is designed for power brakes and for a combination valve in the stock location where it is kicked out at an angle relative to the master cylinder. I have an aftermarket valve that is parallel to the master cylinder, so I had to tweak the rear brake line a little.

[dmjlambert]

How do I tell which is the inner tie rod end and which is the outer? This is for 71-72 1/2 ton. The one on the left seems to be right hand threads, is shorter, and it has a little bit of a bend, so does that mean it is the outer?

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by dmjlambert

How do I tell which is the inner tie rod end and which is the outer? This is for 71-72 1/2 ton. The one on the left seems to be right hand threads, is shorter, and it has a little bit of a bend, so does that mean it is the outer?

Typically the 71-72 trucks had the RH threaded tie rod as the outer tie rod.
(67-70 had a LH threaded tie rod as the outer, but they are a smaller diameter tie rod)

[MikeB]

Are the tapered studs the same size?