Disc brake swap...Help!

[ewoody625]

Hey everyone, I was hoping I could get some info. I recently bought a 70 c10 w/drum brakes and I have a 71 c10 w/disc brakes. What do I have to do to swap the disc brakes from the 71 to the 70? I was told nothing is the same. I find it hard to believe they wont swap. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Eric

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by ewoody625

Hey everyone, I was hoping I could get some info. I recently bought a 70 c10 w/drum brakes and I have a 71 c10 w/disc brakes. What do I have to do to swap the disc brakes from the 71 to the 70? I was told nothing is the same. I find it hard to believe they wont swap. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Eric

Don't go to whomever it was that told you 'nothing is the same' for any further truck advice. Pull the parts off the 71 & swap 'em to the 70. If you can get the 5-lug 71 rear, it will swap directly over as well (but it is slightly wider). You can also leave your current 6-lug rear in & get aftermarket '6-lug swap' rotors for the front (same as a 5-lug rotor) from a board vendor. You'll need disc brake compatible wheels on the front either way....

[ewoody625]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Don't go to whomever it was that told you 'nothing is the same' for any further truck advice. Pull the parts off the 71 & swap 'em to the 70. If you can get the 5-lug 71 rear, it will swap directly over as well (but it is slightly wider). You can also leave your current 6-lug rear in & get aftermarket '6-lug swap' rotors for the front (same as a 5-lug rotor) from a board vendor. You'll need disc brake compatible wheels on the front either way....

Ha! Yeah I figured it had to swap. Can I use the same power booster and master cyclinder from the 70 drum set up or do I have to swap that out as well? I've also read a few posts about switching brake lines do I need to do that?

[ewoody625]

One more thing. I guess I should have been more specific. Can I swap just the spindles or do I have to do the whole front end, control arms, tie rods, ect.

[MikeB]

I assume you have a C10? If so, the tie rod ends, adjuster sleeves, center link, and ball joints are specific to 71-72. Attached is a Word file with some info I compiled. My 69 has 86 light duty spindles (smaller rotors and bearings) that I installed back in 1995 before I knew what I was doing! Although, they work very well, even towing a light trailer. I had my rear axles re-drilled back then for 5 on 5.

By the way, 69-70 C10 front end parts are the same.

[westofb]

Originally Posted by ewoody625

Ha! Yeah I figured it had to swap. Can I use the same power booster and master cyclinder from the 70 drum set up or do I have to swap that out as well? I've also read a few posts about switching brake lines do I need to do that?

You will need the mastercylinder and proportioning valve from the 71...the power booster on the 70 should work just fine.

[michael bustamante]

also youll need to swap the front brake lines. thats where im at on mine now as well

[cdowns]

easy way is to just unbolt the crossmembers and take the whole thing from one to the other//

[Terakilla]

Sorry to thread steal but is redrilling the back axleshafts the only of best way for going from 6 lug to 5. Wanting 5 lug disks all the way around, found lots of info redarding front swaps, but can't find much on rear 5 lug disk brakes, any info would be awesome.

[ewoody625]

Originally Posted by Terakilla

Sorry to thread steal but is redrilling the back axleshafts the only of best way for going from 6 lug to 5. Wanting 5 lug disks all the way around, found lots of info redarding front swaps, but can't find much on rear 5 lug disk brakes, any info would be awesome.

I swaped out my 6 lug axle shafts for 5 lug shafts I had.

[ewoody625]

BTW... I just want to thank everyone for all the info.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Terakilla

Sorry to thread steal but is redrilling the back axleshafts the only of best way for going from 6 lug to 5. Wanting 5 lug disks all the way around, found lots of info redarding front swaps, but can't find much on rear 5 lug disk brakes, any info would be awesome.

No, re-drilling is not the best way. Purchasing new stronger axle shafts that have the correct bolt pattern is the best way.

[BADPURPLE70CHEVY]

I just finished swapping my 70 chevy to five lug. I found a doner 71 front end and used the spindles and went to the auto parts for new pads and some other parts. I also swapped the outer tie rods off the 71. Also used a 72 set of axles and slid them right in my rear diff. Easy swap...There is a forum that names all the parts i think.....

[Classic Heartbeat]

The 71-72 Ball joints, and tie rod ends are different than 63-70. There are a couple of ways to do the swap.
You can use your existing engine crossmember and swap out the upper "A" arms, lower "A" arms, tie rods, drag link, and other steering components except the pitman arm.
You can keep your "A" arms and swap out all of the above and change the ball joints.
You can swap out the whole crosmember and all steering components. (This is the way that I do it)

Above adresses the steering only.

Now for the brakes..

If keeping your crossmember, there are a couple of things that you can do. The cheapest and easiest way is to just put an adjustible proportioning valve in between your existing proportioning valve and the rear brakes.

You can use the donor trucks mastercylinder, booster, brake rod, and proportioning valve. Custom bend the vertical brake lines if you are using your front crossmember.

If using the donor trucks complete front crossmember with everything atached you can do the following.

You can use the donor trucks mastercylinder, booster, brake rod, and proportioning valve, if the brake lines are in good shape use all of them including the vertical ones. If not, bend your own or purchase pre-bent ones.

If using your mastercylender/ booster assembly. Custom bend the vertical brake lines and put an adjustible proportioning valve in between your existing proportioning valve and the rear brakes.

There may be a few steps left out but this gives you what you need to use and or buy. WES