Disc Brake Upgrade Reference Thread

[Captainfab]

The front suspension on the '88 and up trucks is completly different than the '63-'87 C10-30 trucks and the '88-'91 R10-30 trucks. The only possibility that I can think of is you might be able to use the '94 spindle, rotors, calipers, etc. if the upper and lower ball joints will fit the '66-87 C20 or C30 lower control arms. Is your '64 currently a C10 or a C20?

[karlbenz]

it is a c10. would the upper and lower control arms from a 73-87 c20-30 swap to my mine?

[Captainfab]

Yes they will bolt right up to your '64 suspension crossmember. I would recommend drilling out the U-bolt holes and using the larger diameter later model LCA U-bolts.

I'm just not sure if the '94 3500 lower ball joint will fit either the '73-'87 C20 or C30 lower control arm. I do know that the '88-'98 1500 and LD2500 lower ball joints will fit the '67-'87 C20 lower control arms. You'll probably have to do some parts comparisons to find out for sure.

Of course if you can find a '73-'87 C20 front suspension for the right price, there is really no need to try and make the '94 parts fit. Unless you like the challenge.....

Originally Posted by karlbenz

it is a c10. would the upper and lower control arms from a 73-87 c20-30 swap to my mine?

[iehotrod]

Captainfab If I decide to run drop spindles from say cpp or any after market vendor. Question is what rotor and caliper will fit those A.M. spindles? Currently I am running factory power drum brakes all around.

[Dinos63]

wow!! nice work 1964c10 and captainfab!!!

[Captainfab]

That is something that the spindle manufacturer should tell you. If I'm not mistaken, most spindle manufacturers design their spindles to run the '71-'87 1.250: thick truck rotors, and the D52 calipers. Of course there are exceptions, so you should find out what the spindle mfg recommends for a given spindle.

Originally Posted by iehotrod

Captainfab If I decide to run drop spindles from say cpp or any after market vendor. Question is what rotor and caliper will fit those A.M. spindles? Currently I am running factory power drum brakes all around.

[iehotrod]

Thank you Captain! One vendor did not want to say instead he stated I must use their caliper. But think he is full of .....!

[Camper Special]

Ok after debating over doing disc brake swap on my 65 C20, I jumped in and picked up a 3/4 ton 1982 crossmember assembly today. The first thing I came across on tear down is the rotors have larger than 1/2 inch studs (metric ?). I plan to replace rotors & calipers. Is there another year caliper/rotor combo that will fit these spindles and have 1/2 inch studs?

[lolife99]

Those have 9/16" lug studs.
That's the standard 73-87 lug stud size.

[Camper Special]

lolife99, Thanks for responce, I guess an oversight/glitch on my part. Hope there isn't many more on this conversion attempt.

[c10hevy]

I grabbed the upper and lower control arms as well as the spindles off a 91 suburban, it is the square body style (looks like 73-87) will these still work? or do i have to go back to the yard?

I drive a 66 gmc

[Captainfab]

Yes those parts will work just fine since they are the same as the '73-'87 components. Did you grab the steering linkage and steering box while you were there?

Originally Posted by c10hevy

I grabbed the upper and lower control arms as well as the spindles off a 91 suburban, it is the square body style (looks like 73-87) will these still work? or do i have to go back to the yard?

I drive a 66 gmc

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Yes those parts will work just fine since they are the same as the '73-'87 components.

I just learned this about the Suburbans a few weeks back.
A friend of mine bought a suburban and I guessed the year to be late 80. He said; 'No, it's a 91.
I said; 'are you sure? I now know
Posted via Mobile Device

[Harley1650]

Well, I'm confused...(again) I just ordered a front end kit with McGaughy 2" drop spindles, 1 1/4" rotors. It says I can use original tie rod ends and ball joints. Did I read correctly in the first post that this is not true?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Harley1650

Well, I'm confused...(again) I just ordered a front end kit with McGaughy 2" drop spindles, 1 1/4" rotors. It says I can use original tie rod ends and ball joints. Did I read correctly in the first post that this is not true?

Some aftermarket spindles are configured to be a direct swap & use the original drum brake parts. Other aftermarket spindles are configured for 73-87's which require the specific disc brake parts. All OE (junkyard) swaps using OE spindles require the newer steering stuff and/or adapting the tie-rods to the spindles.

What parts you need depends on what spindles you purchased. If the mfr states you can use the original drum brake parts, then they're prob spindles designed specifically for that application.

[Harley1650]

Thanks Scoti, sometimes too much reading makes me overthink things. Has anyone used Captainfabs steering gear adapter with original tie rod ends and such?

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by Harley1650

Thanks Scoti, sometimes too much reading makes me overthink things. Has anyone used Captainfabs steering gear adapter with original tie rod ends and such?

I believe the 73-87 steering box with captain's adapter will bolt right up with either the original steering linkage or the 73-87 linkage.
Captain usually comes online in the evening pacific time.
He checks these threads regularly and has always had me an answer the same day I post my question. I would be shocked if he doesn't reply to your question by 10pm pacific time.

[Captainfab]

Thanks for covering for me

Originally Posted by LostMy65

I believe the 73-87 steering box with captain's adapter will bolt right up with either the original steering linkage or the 73-87 linkage.
Captain usually comes online in the evening pacific time.
He checks these threads regularly and has always had me an answer the same day I post my question. I would be shocked if he doesn't reply to your question by 10pm pacific time.

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Thanks for covering for me

Thanks for not making me a liar.

[Captainfab]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

Thanks for not making me a liar.

[Harley1650]

Well, one more time. Been looking at power brakes but I have a big block in the 63' and it doesnt look like I'd be able to get the valve covers off with power brakes. Anyone know?

[Harley1650]

By the way, the brake booster is 9" but the guy said he could but an 8 or 7 on it. Does size matter??? lol

[Captainfab]

Well that depends on how and where your BB is mounted. I have a BB in my '66 Suburban, and I'm running power brakes, using a '72 Impala booster which is 11 or 12" in diameter. I have no problems at all in removing the valve covers. Of course I moved the engine 2" forward from the original location. But that does not affect the location of the booster in relation to the valve covers.

I replied to your PM regarding the steering box and tie rod question.

Originally Posted by Harley1650

Well, one more time. Been looking at power brakes but I have a big block in the 63' and it doesnt look like I'd be able to get the valve covers off with power brakes. Anyone know?

Edit: Here is a pic of the booster installed on my '66 Suburban.

[Harley1650]

Thanks Lost, I think Captain has me straightened out with that, my mind is working on brake boosters now, hahaha

[SCOTI]

The way I understand it is smaller diameter vac boosters = less overall vacuum accummulation = less overall assist. So, w/a smaller diameter booster, you'd still have more stopping pressure/force available vs other alternatives but it wouldn't be the most. It would prob read something like this.....

*Effective brake pressure/force exerted per ft/lbs of effort applied lowest to highest
Manual drum brakes
Power drum brakes
Manual disc brakes
Power disc w/small single diaphragm booster
Power disc w/small dbl diaphragm booster
Power disc w/Lg. single
Power disc w/Lg. dbl
Hydo-boost

*This is a generalization. Research each option for accurate factual data.