72 C30 spindels conversion

[Mags]

Hi. I am new to this site and need some help. I have a 1972 C 30 dually dump . I have had it for over 22 years use it in my landscape business. I went to have it inspected last week and they told me I needed new brakes and rotors for front. Brakes not a problem but the rotors I can't find anywhere. First option is do any of you have or know where I can get a pair ? Second option is converting to newer spindels so I can use the heavier rotors, calipers. I have been told from a couple members that they think 73-87 spindels would work. Has anyone do this and is it a straight bolt up or do you have to change other things to make it work ? I really need some help because I need to use the truck on some upcoming landscaping jobs. Thank You very much. Bill

[old Chevy guy]

Yes you can do this and yes I have done it. If you can get the donor parts its a piece of cake and you can buy the calipers and rotors new at the parts store. You just need the spindles from an 73-87 c30 or from a G 30 like a cutaway van chassis or a box truck and those will work all the way to 95. The spindles will bolt right to your ball joints and the tie rod ends will connect to the new spindle without changing anything but the spindle. The dust shield from the 72 will work too with only a slight modification. also you need to change the rubber flex brake lines. I can send you a bunch of pictures if you like. LMK.

[71meangreenc10]

Originally Posted by old Chevy guy

Yes you can do this and yes I have done it. If you can get the donor parts its a piece of cake and you can buy the calipers and rotors new at the parts store. You just need the spindles from an 73-87 c30 or from a G 30 like a cutaway van chassis or a box truck and those will work all the way to 95. The spindles will bolt right to your ball joints and the tie rod ends will connect to the new spindle without changing anything but the spindle. The dust shield from the 72 will work too with only a slight modification. also you need to change the rubber flex brake lines. I can send you a bunch of pictures if you like. LMK.

I am going to go through this soon, can you send me the pics also? Ill pm you the address.

Smitty

[Mags]

Originally Posted by old Chevy guy

Yes you can do this and yes I have done it. If you can get the donor parts its a piece of cake and you can buy the calipers and rotors new at the parts store. You just need the spindles from an 73-87 c30 or from a G 30 like a cutaway van chassis or a box truck and those will work all the way to 95. The spindles will bolt right to your ball joints and the tie rod ends will connect to the new spindle without changing anything but the spindle. The dust shield from the 72 will work too with only a slight modification. also you need to change the rubber flex brake lines. I can send you a bunch of pictures if you like. LMK.

I really appreciate your help , I live in Pa ,I found a complete donor front end on CL in Ohio a 87 C30 dually. The guy converted to 4WD. I am going to go out tomorrow and pick it up about 4 hr drive but I would rather have everything than trying to find pieces. I can't go wrong with the price $100.00. I am glade that that I found someone who has done this. I need to ask some questions on it .Thanks Again

[Mags]

Originally Posted by 71meangreenc10

I am going to go through this soon, can you send me the pics also? Ill pm you the address.

Smitty

I will take some pictures and help as much as I can. Are you converting from drum to disc ? Bill

[Greg58]

Originally Posted by old Chevy guy

Yes you can do this and yes I have done it. If you can get the donor parts its a piece of cake and you can buy the calipers and rotors new at the parts store. You just need the spindles from an 73-87 c30 or from a G 30 like a cutaway van chassis or a box truck and those will work all the way to 95. The spindles will bolt right to your ball joints and the tie rod ends will connect to the new spindle without changing anything but the spindle. The dust shield from the 72 will work too with only a slight modification. also you need to change the rubber flex brake lines. I can send you a bunch of pictures if you like. LMK.

This is just what I am thinking about doing with my 70 GMC 2500.
I have a 1978 C-30 one ton that I can get free parts from.
Will the 78 spindle bolt to my 70 since I will be removing drum brakes?
I can pull brake proportioning valve and lines from the 78 also.
Thanks, I would be interested in any pics also.

[BenE]

since both of you seem to have complete newer front ends, wouldn't it be easier to bolt to your frame as a complete unit rather than swapping parts? safer also, don't have to mess with the springs.

[Greg58]

Originally Posted by BenE

since both of you seem to have complete newer front ends, wouldn't it be easier to bolt to your frame as a complete unit rather than swapping parts? safer also, don't have to mess with the springs.

I had not considered that avenue. The frame spacing is the same?
I wonder if the 1 ton springs would change the ride height of my truck?

[71meangreenc10]

Originally Posted by BenE

since both of you seem to have complete newer front ends, wouldn't it be easier to bolt to your frame as a complete unit rather than swapping parts? safer also, don't have to mess with the springs.

Not really an issue for me, I have no problems with the springs. Picking up a complete front and rear axle this weekend.

Smitty

[71meangreenc10]

Originally Posted by Mags

I will take some pictures and help as much as I can. Are you converting from drum to disc ? Bill

Thanks Bill,

If you run into a bind let me know.

Smitty

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by Greg58

I had not considered that avenue. The frame spacing is the same?
I wonder if the 1 ton springs would change the ride height of my truck?

Yes. I did this same swap of the entire crossmember into my 68 build last year (see Meet Homer for pics). You have to drill one hole per side and elongate one hole per side. Everything bolts right up. I did mine myself in my back yard in one day. Easy-peasy.

[Mags]

Originally Posted by cooperhw

Yes. I did this same swap of the entire crossmember into my 68 build last year (see Meet Homer for pics). You have to drill one hole per side and elongate one hole per side. Everything bolts right up. I did mine myself in my back yard in one day. Easy-peasy.

I might consider that . Thanks

[Greg58]

Originally Posted by cooperhw

Yes. I did this same swap of the entire crossmember into my 68 build last year (see Meet Homer for pics). You have to drill one hole per side and elongate one hole per side. Everything bolts right up. I did mine myself in my back yard in one day. Easy-peasy.

Thank you, I will go meet Homer!!

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by Greg58

Thank you, I will go meet Homer!!

I named him Homer cause it was a motor home when I started.

[71meangreenc10]

Originally Posted by cooperhw

Yes. I did this same swap of the entire crossmember into my 68 build last year (see Meet Homer for pics). You have to drill one hole per side and elongate one hole per side. Everything bolts right up. I did mine myself in my back yard in one day. Easy-peasy.

Good info.

Thanks,

Smitty

[old Chevy guy]

On the 70 you might need to change the tie rod ends. 71-72 bolt in same everything ,if you leave the shocks on theres no problem with the springs. I thought it was easier to change the spindles then the whole k frame. either way you would still have to relocate the brake flex hoses. Dont forget your motor mount brackets are bolted to the cross member too. I did mine to change from regular rims to having bud wheels on the front so all 6 tires and rims match. the hole I put the brake line thru was already there. regular disks fit on the same spindle, just so you know. The brake caliper is a JB 8

[custom10nut]

This is great info.

[Greg58]

Thanks Old Chevy Guy! My 1 ton does have those protruding discs for the dually type wheels. It is good to know that I can buy normal discs to fit that spindle.
Once I saw that I would have to pull my engine to replace the cradle that was a deal breaker, plus I like how my truck rides, steers, and sits now so I just want better braking.
Would I need to buy 71-72 tie rod ends?

[old Chevy guy]

Im not 100% sure because I didn't have to do that but in other discussions Ive read on this subject I know the difference is that the stud on the tie rod is bigger on 71-72 than 67-70, I believe the ends will screw into the tie rods, but don't take that to the bank. The other thing that needs to be mentioned is if you go from drums to disk it will require the 71-72 master cylinder and the distribution valve. This is something you would need to do even if you changed the whole cross member. The flex lines I bought were for a 78 C-30 that's what my donor spindles came from but I imagine the part is the same 73-91 on a 1 ton.

[old Chevy guy]

I also should mention that I put 1 ton spindles on my C 20 but the parts are the same C 20 or C30 the spindle as I mentioned is the same if you run regular disks or the off set dually rim type ,the disk is the difference

[Mags]

Originally Posted by old Chevy guy

On the 70 you might need to change the tie rod ends. 71-72 bolt in same everything ,if you leave the shocks on theres no problem with the springs. I thought it was easier to change the spindles then the whole k frame. either way you would still have to relocate the brake flex hoses. Dont forget your motor mount brackets are bolted to the cross member too. I did mine to change from regular rims to having bud wheels on the front so all 6 tires and rims match. the hole I put the brake line thru was already there. regular disks fit on the same spindle, just so you know. The brake caliper is a JB 8

Got my front clip yesterday , probably going to start tomorrow. May have to ask you some questions . Since I got the wholes front part I got hoses and calipers , rotors, spindels tie rods, springs and even the steering box for power steering. Will post pictures later .Am thinking of using it and convert to power steering . Have you ever done that conversion and what else I need for the conversion beside the pump and brackets and hoses ? But one thing at a time. Thanks for your help Bill

[Mags]

Originally Posted by old Chevy guy

On the 70 you might need to change the tie rod ends. 71-72 bolt in same everything ,if you leave the shocks on theres no problem with the springs. I thought it was easier to change the spindles then the whole k frame. either way you would still have to relocate the brake flex hoses. Dont forget your motor mount brackets are bolted to the cross member too. I did mine to change from regular rims to having bud wheels on the front so all 6 tires and rims match. the hole I put the brake line thru was already there. regular disks fit on the same spindle, just so you know. The brake caliper is a JB 8

Did you have to change the master cylinder because the caliper was larger or do you think the one already there is enough ? Thanks

[lolife99]

A 71-72 master cylinder should be fine.

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by 71meangreenc10

I am going to go through this soon, can you send me the pics also? Ill pm you the address.

Smitty

I went back and looked in my picture files and saw lots of the front end swap but I guess the rearend only required new u-bolts so that's the only pic I took?

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by Mags

Got my front clip yesterday , probably going to start tomorrow. May have to ask you some questions . Since I got the wholes front part I got hoses and calipers , rotors, spindels tie rods, springs and even the steering box for power steering. Will post pictures later .Am thinking of using it and convert to power steering . Have you ever done that conversion and what else I need for the conversion beside the pump and brackets and hoses ? But one thing at a time. Thanks for your help Bill

Bolt the whole thing in and all you have to do is provide a pump and steering box. I used my whole donor.