Disc Brake Conversion Who Has The Best????

[vanceman]

I am going to do a disc brake conversion on my 70. I have been looking at different places such as POL, CPP, GMC Pauls, Early Classics. They all offer different parts and different prices. Iam wanting to know who you went with and how you would rate the product. Who has the best kit at the best price????

[70 net440]

I used the ECE kit on my wife's '63. Very complete kit. The hardest part was the brake lines. The rest was simple bolt on.

[pat 70/71]

I have three trucks and used ECE drop/ disc kits on two of them. 70/71/72 No problems at all. fit was perfect and Stan / Mark /Jeff are more than happy to answer any questions you may have.( great company ) and they stand behind everything they sell. give them a call! straight shooters. cheers, Pat

[78bronzechariot]

I used POL with the drop spindles. The kit was good, all the parts were high quality and it went on in a day. The only thing that I didn't like was that the kit was that it made it impossible to run 15" wheels wider than stock up front. The wider aluminum wheels the PO put on would hit the lower control arm when the wheel was turned all the way over. I had planned on changing to chrome steelies anyway, so it wasn't an issue for me. (except for having to buy them sooner than I had planned ). However, there may not be an issue if you don't run drop spindles, or go with 17s or larger.

[ChevLoRay]

I used ECE with drop spindles. I run 15x8's with a 4-inch backspace and there has never been any issue with clearances. When you convert to disc, you will have to purchase spindles. If you want to lower it, now's the time.

ECE customer service is outstanding. Those guys (Stan, for instance) will answer questions at almost any time.

[vanceman]

Looks like ECE has the vote here. My question is, are ECE kits $200 better then the others? The GMC Paul's kit looks like same components for $200 less. Has anyone used one of the GMC Paul's kit?

[ChevLoRay]

Sure they have. Do a search and see what you get. Seems like I saw one just last week.

[mikewarme]

Mine is a 69 3/4 ton. Went to the junk yard and got spindles from a 73 3/4 ton for $15ea. Had them blasted and powder coated $50. Got new aftermarket rotors $50 ea and 2 reman calipers $35 ea. New hoses $35 ea. and got the brake line conversion kit which is incomplete no matter where you buy it. Made my own missing piece. Better than any kit unless you need dropped spindles!


Note the spindles are the same from 71-79 I believe. I did new ball joints at that point. They are diffrent than for drum brakes anyway.

NOBODY sells a 3/4 ton conversion!

[Beat68CST]

I have a 68 3/4 ton, could I use those same spindles and parts from a 79 or older to do the front disk brake conversion?

[69 GMC LWB Pickup]

I recently purchased a four wheel disk conversion for my 69 GMC LWB from CPP. It's not a bad setup and the cheapest that I have found. Some of the install has been a real PITA because they say it should just bolt right up and fit perfectly but, that has not entirely been the case for the rear brakes. I'm not quite finished with the install on the front so I don't know what to say yet about that. If I had to do it all over again, I would have went with a Wilwood brake system. It is much more expensive but well worth the money and believe me, Wilwood IS just bolt on and go.

[72BlckButy]

Another support for ECE...

IMO the money is worth receiving all the parts at once and knowing they will fit the way they are supposed too.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by vanceman

I am going to do a disc brake conversion on my 70. I have been looking at different places such as POL, CPP, GMC Pauls, Early Classics. They all offer different parts and different prices. Iam wanting to know who you went with and how you would rate the product. Who has the best kit at the best price????

You don't mention drop spindles.
That will make a difference in the direction I would take.
If NO drop spindles are in your plans,... I would just use 73-87 oem disc brake stuff.
If you plan on drop spindles,... spend the money and go with "year specific" spindles (67-70, 71-72, or 73-87) and use ECE.
No need to change ball joints or tie rods.

[GMCBubba]

Originally Posted by mikewarme

NOBODY sells a 3/4 ton conversion!

http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...6370SWBK8S.htm

they say they have it in 8 lug application. for rear 8-lug conversions, blackbirdcustomtrucks.com looks pretty good

[vanceman]

Yes, I will be going with 2 1/2" drop spindles. What year are the rotors, calipers, and pads on the ECE kit, can I get replacements at a local auto supply?

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by vanceman

Yes, I will be going with 2 1/2" drop spindles. What year are the rotors, calipers, and pads on the ECE kit, can I get replacements at a local auto supply?

The rotors are 1.25" wide version easily found at your local parts store.
I'm not sure on the calipers. They are either the 71-72 or 73-87 version.
Either way,... calipers and pads can be found locally.

You will also need to change your master cylinder and proportioning valve.
(which is included in the ECE kit)

[skeeterbug]

when i put dropped spindles and four wheel disc on my 71 the original 15" wheels would NOT fit. the wheel rubs the lca's, you will need to upgrade to larger dia. wheels. hope this helps.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by skeeterbug

when i put dropped spindles and four wheel disc on my 71 the original 15" wheels would NOT fit. the wheel rubs the lca's, you will need to upgrade to larger dia. wheels. hope this helps.

Not necessarily.
ECE sells a 2.5" drop spindle,... like most other "direct fit" spindles.
The old Belltech 3" drop spindles cause more problems.
Either way,... trimming the lower control ares is almost a must, for 15" diameter wheels with more than 3.5" of backspacing.

[chopttop]

I have a '70 1 ton dually,cab/chassis w/Franklin motor home on frame, would like to upgrade to disks, I have read much on this and the complete crossmember swap looks like the best way to go , could I use a C20 crossmember ? Thanks in advance

[mrhino]

I used everything for a 73, on my project i'm working on, rotors, calipers, pads, banjo bolts, bearings, seals, spindle nut,washer, cotter pins, even those little brake hose clips. everything got it from my local parts house. except the steel braided brake hoses, and spindles, I used CCP drop spindles. They sell them through ebay and if you wait till the weekend they take another 10% off. (at least they use too). it saved a bunch over one of the so called "kits".
did the same for the rear as well bought everything seprate from advance. even the 4 wheel disc M/C. the proportioning valve came from the internet. If you are running rear drum brakes. do a search for PV2 and if you want 4 wheel disc search PV4 you can find the for about $50 or so. I probably have less in my whole brake system then what one front "kit" cost. However Im not running a E-brake so that save some money there.

[chevydog66]

www.abspowerbrake.com looks affordable.

[HeyRed]

I’m hoping to open this conversation again since it looks like ECE (the highest recommended PB conversion kit on here) has gone out of business permanently.
I’m converting to power disk up front on my 67. I want a complete, no-hassle kit. I don’t want cheap...I want a very strong product. Ive got these two on my radar:

http://https://www.cjponyparts.com/m...-1970/p/DBF61/

And

http://https://www.performanceonline...ck-5-or-6-lug/

Has anyone had experience with either of these products/companies good or bad?
Is there a new kit/company out there that I’m missing that I should check out?

Also, as a side note...anyone ever had an issue with shift linkage when converting to power brakes? I was daydreaming yesterday staring at the firewall and man...it looks like the linkage off the column is right where the booster needs to go.

Thanks!

[MDPotter]

I got mine from POL and have no complaints.

[HeyRed]

Originally Posted by MDPotter

I got mine from POL and have no complaints.

Right on. I haven’t been able to get a hold of anyone at POL either in tech support or sales with a question.

I’m running stock 15” wheels (obviously drum) and want to make sure that the wheels will fit with this kit. If you’re running something similar, did you have to do any “fine tuning”? Grinding on the caliper, etc....?

[MDPotter]

Originally Posted by HeyRed

Right on. I haven’t been able to get a hold of anyone at POL either in tech support or sales with a question.

I’m running stock 15” wheels (obviously drum) and want to make sure that the wheels will fit with this kit. If you’re running something similar, did you have to do any “fine tuning”? Grinding on the caliper, etc....?

I didn't have to do any modifications, but I am running 17" wheels. I know there is a disclaimer about 15" wheel clearance being a potential issue. I'm sure it depends on offset/backspace and the wheel itself.

[gmc684x4]

One area of fitment issues on disc brake swap is some drum brake 15 inch wheels have a lip in the back space area that rub the calipers

If there newer aftermarket wheels should be ok