73-87 disk brakes on a 67-70

[hotrodxy]

I want to put power disk brakes on my 67 chevy c10 (69 rolling chassis) and I'm on a tight budget, can I get 73-87 parts from a junk yard, are they interchangable? If so what parts wood I need? Any help would be apriciated

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by hotrodxy

I want to put power disk brakes on my 67 chevy c10 (69 rolling chassis) and I'm on a tight budget, can I get 73-87 parts from a junk yard, are they interchangable? If so what parts wood I need? Any help would be apriciated

Yes, all the parts are interchangeable. You can use the a-arms, spindles, rotors, calipers, drag-link, tie-rods, rubber lines, hard lines, & prop valve.

I bought the arms, calipers, spindles, splash shields, master cylinder, pwr. booster, prop valve + hardlines, & the drag-link from a wrecked truck when I did this swap on my 68.

I used the master cyl, booster, & calipers as cores toward new parts (the master cyl & booster I exchanged for 71-72 year model). The brake lines had to be slightly tweaked but fit & look factory. The prop valve was relocated to the front splash pan vs under the master cyl like 67-72's but since I grabbed the hard-lines that was just an R&R excersize.

On my truck I re-used the original steering box because I was keeping it manual steer, but you can use the pwr box from the donor as well if you didn't have pwr steering (although 67's require some additional bracing @ the inside of the frame).

[hotrodxy]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Yes, all the parts are interchangeable. You can use the a-arms, spindles, rotors, calipers, drag-link, tie-rods, rubber lines, hard lines, & prop valve.

I bought the arms, calipers, spindles, splash shields, master cylinder, pwr. booster, prop valve + hardlines, & the drag-link from a wrecked truck when I did this swap on my 68.

I used the master cyl, booster, & calipers as cores toward new parts (the master cyl & booster I exchanged for 71-72 year model). The brake lines had to be slightly tweaked but fit & look factory. The prop valve was relocated to the front splash pan vs under the master cyl like 67-72's but since I grabbed the hard-lines that was just an R&R excersize.

On my truck I re-used the original steering box because I was keeping it manual steer, but you can use the pwr box from the donor as well if you didn't have pwr steering (although 67's require some additional bracing @ the inside of the frame).

Wow thanks!!!!

[TEXAS 68]

I did the samr thing but was wondering what coil spings to use. I have a pair of 2'' lowering coils from a 68, will they work in the 73-87 arms?

[Spray-Bomb]

If your get the chance, get the 1-1/4" wide rotor brakes instead of the 1"

Also, try to get as much of the system as possible
I do believe that the upper ball joints are different, but the lowers are the same

[bobbo]

Excellent information here. I might be acquiring an 85 C10 and was wanting to convert my 69 over to the disc brakes. I was thinking about swapping over the whole cross member, but if the a-arms and spindles will swap then I will just do that. Anyone know if the rear end assembly will swap over or what modifications would need to be done? The 85 is leaf spring and mine is coil spring. I want the five lug axles out of the 85 to match the front disc. Would it be easier/possible to just swap the axles and/or gears and axles? Any other pointers would be great!

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by bobbo

Excellent information here. I might be acquiring an 85 C10 and was wanting to convert my 69 over to the disc brakes. I was thinking about swapping over the whole cross member, but if the a-arms and spindles will swap then I will just do that. Anyone know if the rear end assembly will swap over or what modifications would need to be done? The 85 is leaf spring and mine is coil spring. I want the five lug axles out of the 85 to match the front disc. Would it be easier/possible to just swap the axles and/or gears and axles? Any other pointers would be great!

The rear end is slightly wider than your 69 coil rear but it will fit (it's the same width as a 71-72 rear housing).

ECE & CPP both make the needed brackets for the swap. You'll need to cut off the leaf related brackets & weld the trailing arm related brackets on (after determining your pinion angle & making sure everything is centered).

Another option is both of those companies make axle swap kits that allow removing your 6-lug axles & swapping in new, aftermarket, 30% stronger axles. I like this method & feel it's easier than all the swapping, grinding , & welding req'd when swapping to the leaf spring housing. If your on a tighter budget & don't mind the labor, swapping the housings you already have would cost less.

For the record..... If you don't mind the 6-lugs, several board vendors sell 6-lug rotors that will work w/the disc swaps. The only downside is when you need new rotors, you can't run down to your local parts house. This is the easiest way to get matching lug patterns. They're about ~$20 more than regular 5-lug rotors but save you a bunch of work.

[bobbo]

That is a good option as far as the 6 lug rotors...Have any names of the board members that sell them?

[SCOTI]

Classic Heartbeat (Wes)
GMC Paul
ECE
CPP

[bobbo]

Thanks for the info! Will have to wait until Monday to hear if the guy is wanting to sell the 85. I doubt he is going to fix it since it's going to be about a grand to do head gaskets and not knowing if the heads are even good. i may be able to pick it up for a few hundred...

[XXL]

Originally Posted by TEXAS 68

I did the samr thing but was wondering what coil spings to use. I have a pair of 2'' lowering coils from a 68, will they work in the 73-87 arms?

Yes.