6 lug front disc brakes

[jonzcustomshop]

so.. with dropped spindles you can't keep the drum brakes...
I do want to stay 6 lug to keep my wheels.

saw a "kit" on ebay for $700 shipped that is the complete setup: spindles bearings rotors and calipers...

wondering if it would be cheaper to source some of it from junk yards/ auto parts store....

I have a few camaro/transams that I could pirate some calipers off of.
I had heard that you can just use 90's nissan/toyota 2wd 6 lug rotors from the auto parts store...

anyone piece one of these setups together?
got part #'s or suggestions?

should I just save up and buy new?

[Captainfab]

Why not use the '88-'98 light duty C2500 parts. The conversion is described in the 'Dics Brake Upgrade Reference' thread. The parts to do it should be fairly easy to come by. This is what I will be doing to my Suburban........someday.

[blackedoutharley]

Isn't just easier to get some spindles from a '73 up C-10, with all the assorted hard parts and buy the 6 lug rotors that are offered in the kits from such places as CPP or POL?

[63chevyll]

Originally Posted by blackedoutharley

Isn't just easier to get some spindles from a '73 up C-10, with all the assorted hard parts and buy the 6 lug rotors that are offered in the kits from such places as CPP or POL?

That makes more sense
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[jonzcustomshop]

out of curiosity I wonder if the 6 lug rotors that are offered by cpp and others are the nissan/toyota ones?

[blackedoutharley]

No, they are stock replacement rotors that are drilled 6 lug rather than 5x5" (except the drilled/slotted ones of course).

From what I understand they buy the blanks before they are drilled 5 lug and have them drilled six lug instead. Uses stock replacement bearings, seals etc. Don't know if the wheel studs are 7/16" or 1/2' though.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by blackedoutharley

No, they are stock replacement rotors that are drilled 6 lug rather than 5x5" (except the drilled/slotted ones of course).

From what I understand they buy the blanks before they are drilled 5 lug and have them drilled six lug instead. Uses stock replacement bearings, seals etc. Don't know if the wheel studs are 7/16" or 1/2' though.

They are 7/16" lug studs.
Companies like Early Classic Enterprises and Performance Online sell these.
http://www.performanceonline.com/FRO...10-TRUCK-8600/

It's the easiest way to get 6-lug disc brakes.
Add them to any 71-87 HD 5lug front suspension that originally came with 1-1/4" wide rotors.
You can buy these rotors in "drilled and slotted" or standard plain rotors.

Just remember,... your old Pre-'71 steel wheels will NOT clear the disc brake calipers.
If you want steelies,... you have to use 71-87 6-lug 4x4 steelies to clear the calipers.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by blackedoutharley

Isn't just easier to get some spindles from a '73 up C-10, with all the assorted hard parts and buy the 6 lug rotors that are offered in the kits from such places as CPP or POL?

I agree!

[blackedoutharley]

Its worth $90 each to not spend my time racking my brain and cobbling something together from assorted vehicles.

Simplicity!

[jonzcustomshop]

yes that sounds simple.. now you are saying 71-87 "hd" suspension.. are there 2 different suspensions available with the 5 lug? and all I will need to do is measure the width of the rotor?
then I can just buy the new rotors?
use the 73-87 control arms , and buy a set of dropped spindles for a 73-87, and then that should all bolt to my 65 X member?

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by jonzcustomshop

yes that sounds simple.. now you are saying 71-87 "hd" suspension.. are there 2 different suspensions available with the 5 lug? and all I will need to do is measure the width of the rotor?
then I can just buy the new rotors?
use the 73-87 control arms , and buy a set of dropped spindles for a 73-87, and then that should all bolt to my 65 X member?

Yes.
Gm built a HD version (1-1/4" rotors) and a Light Duty version (1" rotors).

I would skip the 73-87 stuff or 71-72 stuff unless you have a donor truck,... so you can rob everything, including all the steering components.

Just buy 63-70 conversion spindles and BOLT them on.
Change nothing else.
No a-arm change.
No ball joint change.
No tie rod change.

These conversion spindles ONLY come in the HD 1-1/4" rotor version that you need for the 6-lug rotors.

You can buy these spindles every day for $229.00 at www.performanceonline.com.

[lolife99]

I have this 6-lug disc brake set-up on my '69 swb.

[lolife99]

Another thing about "HD vs Light Duty",... everything has to match.
Spindle, rotor, caliper and bearings.
They are all specific to the "width" of rotor that you are using.

The 63-70 conversion spindles make it easy.
(plus they even make a 60-62 spindle for the torsion bar trucks!)

[jonzcustomshop]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Why not use the '88-'98 light duty C2500 parts. The conversion is described in the 'Dics Brake Upgrade Reference' thread. The parts to do it should be fairly easy to come by. This is what I will be doing to my Suburban........someday.

that thread helps!

Originally Posted by lolife99

Yes.
Gm built a HD version (1-1/4" rotors) and a Light Duty version (1" rotors).

I would skip the 73-87 stuff or 71-72 stuff unless you have a donor truck,... so you can rob everything, including all the steering components.

Just buy 63-70 conversion spindles and BOLT them on.
Change nothing else.
No a-arm change.
No ball joint change.
No tie rod change.

These conversion spindles ONLY come in the HD 1-1/4" rotor version that you need for the 6-lug rotors.

You can buy these spindles every day for $229.00 at www.performanceonline.com.

this idea seems best! (for me now) I have been on the fence about a steering upgrade(power), but unless I stumble on a cheap donor truck this seems my best bet for now.

I will have some time to think about the options while I am saving up the $$
thanks.

[ChiefRocka]

Hmmm....

I'm debating which way to go as well on my '63.

Thought about the '88-'98 method, using 3/4 ton lowers to except the correct ball joints. I'm assuming these calipers off better stopping power (??)

Then again, also thought about the '73-'87 a-arms for their rubber bushings...

[waspp]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Just remember,... your old Pre-'71 steel wheels will NOT clear the disc brake calipers.
If you want steelies,... you have to use 71-87 6-lug 4x4 steelies to clear the calipers.

So dropped spindles and 6 lug discs will not work with my stock 63 rims? Are there aftermarket steel wheels that will work with the disc brake set up allowing you use the stock hubcaps?

[cb1965]

great info guys.
im interested in keeping 6 lugs also.
so... if i get the complete front suspension from a 73-87 with 1-1/4" rotors, all i have to do is swap the rotors with the 6 lug? everything else stays the same?

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by waspp

So dropped spindles and 6 lug discs will not work with my stock 63 rims? Are there aftermarket steel wheels that will work with the disc brake set up allowing you use the stock hubcaps?

No.
The old wheels don't have room to clear the disc brake calipers.
Aftermarket wheels should be fine.

Originally Posted by cb1965

great info guys.
im interested in keeping 6 lugs also.
so... if i get the complete front suspension from a 73-87 with 1-1/4" rotors, all i have to do is swap the rotors with the 6 lug? everything else stays the same?

Yes.
But remember to get the steering stuff.
Centerlink and tie rods.

[cb1965]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Yes.
But remember to get the steering stuff.
Centerlink and tie rods.

oh hell yeah! now to save some cash and start hunting! thanks

[jonzcustomshop]

Originally Posted by waspp

So dropped spindles and 6 lug discs will not work with my stock 63 rims? Are there aftermarket steel wheels that will work with the disc brake set up allowing you use the stock hubcaps?

I had some 6 lug steelies off an 75-7 suburban,on my 65, the sub was a 4X4
the wheels didn't look correct without the hubcap, but with the hubcap on you could hardly tell... The "windows" are a tiny bit different

[waspp]

What is it that interferes with the caliper? Is it the face of the rim that bolts on to the disc or the rim itself? I have looked into having wider steel rims made up using my original centers but maybe that won't work either.

[67swb72klb]

in my exp it is the rim to caliper clearance problem

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by waspp

What is it that interferes with the caliper? Is it the face of the rim that bolts on to the disc or the rim itself? I have looked into having wider steel rims made up using my original centers but maybe that won't work either.

Usually it's the rim itself.
There are tons of 71-87 4x4 steel wheels out there.
Most throw them away.
Look on blazers and burbs also.

If not,... Wheel Vintiques makes a Series 62 steel wheel in many sizes that will work just fine for the 5-lug steelies.
I just don't know if they make a 6-lug wheel or not.

[72BlckButy]

As Keith said, the kits take the guess work and prevent any return trips to the parts store. Ordered mine from ECE and only had to add bearing grease and brake fluid to the mix; everything was included.

[69burban]

I recently purchased the McGaughy's 6 lug disc kit for my 65 from a local vender here in NM. It was a little over 700.00 with shipping and it came with the big rotors and calipers. Everything looked super heavy duty, nice parts. I'm starting to wonder about my 15" wheels clearing the caliper now too....