6 lug front drum to disc conv. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jborders · 11-10-2010, 07:30 PM

I was thinking of trying to do a six lug front drum to disc conversion on a 68 with only parts store components. I have bought 2007 toyota sequoia front rotors. My plan is to use them over the drum hub. Get some calipers and make the bracket myself. I am a machinist so i have access to everything i would need to make them. I tried to do a search to see if anyone had already tried this on here but i didn't find anything. If anyone has feedback or would like to see progress pics let me hear it. Oh and by the way i'm cheap and enjoy coming up with my own ideas instead of buying the kit. So far i have only purchased the rotors the were 84$ after tax. Not a bad start.

cparman · 11-10-2010, 08:37 PM

you can buy 6 lug rotors from some of the aftermarkret brake suppliers. Much simpler way to go.

hugger6933 · 11-10-2010, 08:44 PM

Great idea, hope it works well for you. Yes they make kits for this and that but sometimes you just gotta build something for yourself. That is what the hobby was founded on that old hotrodder sprit . Jim

jborders · 11-10-2010, 09:13 PM

early classics rotors are 89$ a piece + shipping. I can go to autozone and and advance anytime and get a new rotor for 45$. I like the idea of that but i'm sure some people would rather call ece and spend the money.

sixtyeightchevykid · 11-10-2010, 09:51 PM

this sounds very interesting, i belive the toyota bolt pattern is the same as the chevys. i say keep us updated with lots of pics.

jborders · 11-10-2010, 11:40 PM

did some looking tonight and already know now why i didn't find someone else doing this. I got bad info on the hub size of my 68 read on two different websites it was same as the toyota ......its not. Gonna have to check into other options. Bolt pattern is good but the toyota hub is too big.

raycow · 11-11-2010, 07:26 AM

There is an 88-up Chevy 6 lug rotor that can be adapted to our trucks using all factory parts, but you need to change the spindle and the lower control arm. This thread describes the conversion in detail and there is a parts list in post #16.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ght=disc+brake

Ray

jborders · 11-11-2010, 09:18 PM

Did some research last night and didn't find any factory rotor with our trucks hub diameter. So i decided to make a spacer Kind of like a wheel hub ring. So i measured it up last night and made them today. Left the I.D. about
.003 to small so it would be a press fit onto my hub. Before i put in on the hub i put it in the oven on 400 degrees for about 20 minutes then took it out and it slid right on. didn't even tap it with a hammer. I held it in place for a minute or two to let it cool down and draw up. Trying to figure out how to put up pics. will post soon.

jborders · 11-11-2010, 09:41 PM

here are the pics

Average Joe · 11-12-2010, 12:30 AM

Very cool! True roddin' spirit!!!!!!!!!!

PanelDeland · 11-12-2010, 09:10 PM

There was a company making the brackets that bolted to the original spindles at the backing plate holes.It's been years since I've seen the ads and my CRS keeps me from remembering the name.I think they came with rotors or maybe used stock 71-72 ones.

71 super · 11-12-2010, 11:30 PM

What did you do to get the hub center out of the original rotor? I am very interested in what you are doing here. I have access to a cnc machine shop at the school where I work and I also have most of the components to put disc brakes on my 68, but would like to go as low buck as possible. I have spindles from 71-72 as well as calipers and hoses, but need 6 lug rotors. What you are doing is cool and looks relativly easy but I need more details. Thanks for your time. Harold

jborders · 11-13-2010, 01:06 AM

my hubs aren't out of rotors. they are drum brake hubs. There is lots of info on here about using other spindles. not sure if i answered your questions. i'm going to start working on the caliper brackets tomorrow. I bought some used calipers off a 2006 mustang GT (yes it hurts me to use ford parts but they were cheap) gave 75$ shipped.

ChevLoRay · 11-13-2010, 01:40 AM

jborders.....being a machinist is a dream I once had. You are well aware of your abilities and having access to a shop is what makes it all possible. My nephew is a machinist and also accomplished as a computer programmer. So, he can program a CNC machine to do whatever he wants it to do. He has a '79 Firebird TA that originally had a 403 Olds. He now has a 468 Olds that is running a Q-Jet as a throttle body for the fuel injection system that uses Ford 30-lb/hr injectors...and it is all computer-controlled.

I guess we expect you machinists to come up with solutions to problems we didn't even know we had....and we thank you.

VA72C10 · 11-13-2010, 01:56 AM

looking good!

jborders · 11-15-2010, 01:38 PM

Here is a rough draft of the caliper bracket. I haven't got my hands on the calipers yet so the part sticking out to the left will be much different in the end i'm sure.

Jacfourteen · 11-15-2010, 02:41 PM

Very cool! Keep up the progress updates, I want to see how this all turns out.

Pop's C-10 · 11-15-2010, 03:01 PM

nice

ChevyLvr4Life · 11-15-2010, 03:14 PM

Great idea! Can't wait to see how this turns out. One question though, why didn't you go with some rebuilt 71 and up truck calipers? Just thinking they might be a little easier hooking up to the brake hoses than the Mustang ones. I'm not knocking what you chose, just curious. Once you get all this worked out, have you had any thoughts about making this a kit ( hub spacer and caliper bracket ) and selling it on the board. I've got drums also I have thought about switching to discs someday. There might be a lot of interest for a kit like this.

jborders · 11-15-2010, 03:59 PM

I did think about using those calipers. I just came up with the others cheap and they were brand new take offs and dual piston so i went with it for the cool factor more than any other reason. I haven't thought of selling a kit or anything. Just wanted cheap disc brakes and i like to tinker with the truck.

jborders · 11-19-2010, 02:55 PM

It's been a few days and that's because i ran into some issues. I got the calipers in and they are much larger than i thought they would be. Had to totally redesign the bracket. So anyway here is version 2.

jborders · 11-19-2010, 10:18 PM

Getting close. Just a few little clearance issues to clean up. I will put some pics of the finished bracket up later. I know for sure that 15" wheels are not going to work anymore. I had no idea the mustang calipers were going to be so big. I think it will stop better for sure. I will post more pics and a parts list and prices in a few days.

Jacfourteen · 11-21-2010, 01:36 AM

Looking good, let us know how it goes!

dyrt · 12-07-2010, 06:01 PM

just out of curiosity, what is the inner diameter of the spacer you made, or, rather, the diameter of the hub? would it have been easier to buy the front rotors from a 6 lug astro van and machine out the center hole if it was too small?

Mike

jborders · 12-07-2010, 08:36 PM

I could have done that and i thought about it. First i looked all over for something that would fit with no machining and had no luck. in the end i thought if i was going to have to machine something i just wanted to do it once not every time i needed new rotors. I wanted to go to the parts store get what i needed bring it home put it on and be done with it.

11-10-2010, 08:37 PM	#2
cparman sharp as a marble Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: atlantic beach,florida Posts: 1,082	Re: 6 lug front drum to disc conv. you can buy 6 lug rotors from some of the aftermarkret brake suppliers. Much simpler way to go.

11-10-2010, 08:44 PM	#3
hugger6933 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Marianna Arkansas Posts: 7,262	Re: 6 lug front drum to disc conv. Great idea, hope it works well for you. Yes they make kits for this and that but sometimes you just gotta build something for yourself. That is what the hobby was founded on that old hotrodder sprit . Jim

11-10-2010, 09:13 PM	#4
jborders Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: pontiac, illinois Posts: 85	Re: 6 lug front drum to disc conv. early classics rotors are 89$ a piece + shipping. I can go to autozone and and advance anytime and get a new rotor for 45$. I like the idea of that but i'm sure some people would rather call ece and spend the money.

11-10-2010, 09:51 PM	#5
sixtyeightchevykid Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Stillwater, Oklahoma Posts: 194	Re: 6 lug front drum to disc conv. this sounds very interesting, i belive the toyota bolt pattern is the same as the chevys. i say keep us updated with lots of pics.

11-10-2010, 11:40 PM	#6
jborders Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: pontiac, illinois Posts: 85	Re: 6 lug front drum to disc conv. did some looking tonight and already know now why i didn't find someone else doing this. I got bad info on the hub size of my 68 read on two different websites it was same as the toyota ......its not. Gonna have to check into other options. Bolt pattern is good but the toyota hub is too big.

11-10-2010, 07:30 PM	#1
jborders Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: pontiac, illinois Posts: 85	6 lug front drum to disc conv. I was thinking of trying to do a six lug front drum to disc conversion on a 68 with only parts store components. I have bought 2007 toyota sequoia front rotors. My plan is to use them over the drum hub. Get some calipers and make the bracket myself. I am a machinist so i have access to everything i would need to make them. I tried to do a search to see if anyone had already tried this on here but i didn't find anything. If anyone has feedback or would like to see progress pics let me hear it. Oh and by the way i'm cheap and enjoy coming up with my own ideas instead of buying the kit. So far i have only purchased the rotors the were 84$ after tax. Not a bad start.

11-11-2010, 07:26 AM	#7
raycow Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Francisco, CA USA Posts: 2,454	Re: 6 lug front drum to disc conv. There is an 88-up Chevy 6 lug rotor that can be adapted to our trucks using all factory parts, but you need to change the spindle and the lower control arm. This thread describes the conversion in detail and there is a parts list in post #16. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ght=disc+brake Ray __________________ Live more responsibly. Eat lower on the food chain. Eat vegetarians. Last edited by raycow; 11-11-2010 at 07:26 AM.

11-11-2010, 09:18 PM	#8
jborders Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: pontiac, illinois Posts: 85	Re: 6 lug front drum to disc conv. Did some research last night and didn't find any factory rotor with our trucks hub diameter. So i decided to make a spacer Kind of like a wheel hub ring. So i measured it up last night and made them today. Left the I.D. about .003 to small so it would be a press fit onto my hub. Before i put in on the hub i put it in the oven on 400 degrees for about 20 minutes then took it out and it slid right on. didn't even tap it with a hammer. I held it in place for a minute or two to let it cool down and draw up. Trying to figure out how to put up pics. will post soon.

11-11-2010, 09:41 PM	#9
jborders Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: pontiac, illinois Posts: 85	Re: 6 lug front drum to disc conv. here are the pics Attached Images

11-12-2010, 12:30 AM	#10
Average Joe Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 1,352	Re: 6 lug front drum to disc conv. Very cool! True roddin' spirit!!!!!!!!!!

11-12-2010, 09:10 PM	#11
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: 6 lug front drum to disc conv. There was a company making the brackets that bolted to the original spindles at the backing plate holes.It's been years since I've seen the ads and my CRS keeps me from remembering the name.I think they came with rotors or maybe used stock 71-72 ones. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

11-12-2010, 11:30 PM	#12
71 super Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Canton North carolina Posts: 3,079	Re: 6 lug front drum to disc conv. What did you do to get the hub center out of the original rotor? I am very interested in what you are doing here. I have access to a cnc machine shop at the school where I work and I also have most of the components to put disc brakes on my 68, but would like to go as low buck as possible. I have spindles from 71-72 as well as calipers and hoses, but need 6 lug rotors. What you are doing is cool and looks relativly easy but I need more details. Thanks for your time. Harold __________________ 67 blue step side- bb 68 gold and white swb cst anniversary 68 custom swb hot rod Ls swap 69 swb cst 6 cylinder/ overdrive 69 black/black cst bb swb 70 orange and white cst Canada built truck swb bb 71 black and white super swb bb 71 red and white super swb 72 green and white super swb 4x4 62 nova wagon 400 series Ls swapped 68 Camaro 327/4 speed- 1 owner, original paint 66 Volkswagen bettle 69 auto stick Volkswagen Beetle

11-13-2010, 01:06 AM	#13
jborders Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: pontiac, illinois Posts: 85	Re: 6 lug front drum to disc conv. my hubs aren't out of rotors. they are drum brake hubs. There is lots of info on here about using other spindles. not sure if i answered your questions. i'm going to start working on the caliper brackets tomorrow. I bought some used calipers off a 2006 mustang GT (yes it hurts me to use ford parts but they were cheap) gave 75$ shipped.

11-13-2010, 01:40 AM	#14
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: 6 lug front drum to disc conv. jborders.....being a machinist is a dream I once had. You are well aware of your abilities and having access to a shop is what makes it all possible. My nephew is a machinist and also accomplished as a computer programmer. So, he can program a CNC machine to do whatever he wants it to do. He has a '79 Firebird TA that originally had a 403 Olds. He now has a 468 Olds that is running a Q-Jet as a throttle body for the fuel injection system that uses Ford 30-lb/hr injectors...and it is all computer-controlled. I guess we expect you machinists to come up with solutions to problems we didn't even know we had....and we thank you. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

11-13-2010, 01:56 AM	#15
VA72C10 VA72C10 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Midlothian, VA Posts: 25,269	Re: 6 lug front drum to disc conv. looking good! __________________ Looking for a 67-72 swb or blazer project in or around VA.



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11-15-2010, 01:38 PM	#16
jborders Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: pontiac, illinois Posts: 85	Re: 6 lug front drum to disc conv. Here is a rough draft of the caliper bracket. I haven't got my hands on the calipers yet so the part sticking out to the left will be much different in the end i'm sure. Attached Images

11-15-2010, 02:41 PM	#17
Jacfourteen Big Red - Now its a SWB! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oroville, Ca Posts: 1,624	Re: 6 lug front drum to disc conv. Very cool! Keep up the progress updates, I want to see how this all turns out. __________________ 68 3/4 ton (Project)-350 Small Block, .030 over, 10:1 comp, 3998993 heads, C3BX edelbrock intake, comp cams XE268, Holley 670 SA, long tube headers, dual flow 40's, E-fan, Alum rad, currently under the knife getting shortened and bagged build thread 41 3/4 ton (wife's)-flatbed, fully restored to original 01 Tahoe LT 4WD (my daily driver)-Magnaflow Muffler, Rollin on 22's 02 Ford Mustang Convertable (Wife's Car)-Flowmaster 50, Clear corners, Intake, sittin on 18's

11-15-2010, 03:01 PM	#18
Pop's C-10 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: memphis Posts: 2,537	Re: 6 lug front drum to disc conv. nice

11-15-2010, 03:14 PM	#19
ChevyLvr4Life Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Martinsville, VA Posts: 150	Re: 6 lug front drum to disc conv. Great idea! Can't wait to see how this turns out. One question though, why didn't you go with some rebuilt 71 and up truck calipers? Just thinking they might be a little easier hooking up to the brake hoses than the Mustang ones. I'm not knocking what you chose, just curious. Once you get all this worked out, have you had any thoughts about making this a kit ( hub spacer and caliper bracket ) and selling it on the board. I've got drums also I have thought about switching to discs someday. There might be a lot of interest for a kit like this. __________________ 1970 Chevy C10 LWB 307 3OTT 3.73 gear

11-15-2010, 03:59 PM	#20
jborders Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: pontiac, illinois Posts: 85	Re: 6 lug front drum to disc conv. I did think about using those calipers. I just came up with the others cheap and they were brand new take offs and dual piston so i went with it for the cool factor more than any other reason. I haven't thought of selling a kit or anything. Just wanted cheap disc brakes and i like to tinker with the truck.

11-19-2010, 02:55 PM	#21
jborders Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: pontiac, illinois Posts: 85	Re: 6 lug front drum to disc conv. It's been a few days and that's because i ran into some issues. I got the calipers in and they are much larger than i thought they would be. Had to totally redesign the bracket. So anyway here is version 2. Attached Images Last edited by jborders; 11-19-2010 at 03:00 PM.

11-19-2010, 10:18 PM	#22
jborders Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: pontiac, illinois Posts: 85	Re: 6 lug front drum to disc conv. Getting close. Just a few little clearance issues to clean up. I will put some pics of the finished bracket up later. I know for sure that 15" wheels are not going to work anymore. I had no idea the mustang calipers were going to be so big. I think it will stop better for sure. I will post more pics and a parts list and prices in a few days. Attached Images Last edited by jborders; 11-20-2010 at 09:26 AM.

11-21-2010, 01:36 AM	#23
Jacfourteen Big Red - Now its a SWB! Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oroville, Ca Posts: 1,624	Re: 6 lug front drum to disc conv. Looking good, let us know how it goes! __________________ 68 3/4 ton (Project)-350 Small Block, .030 over, 10:1 comp, 3998993 heads, C3BX edelbrock intake, comp cams XE268, Holley 670 SA, long tube headers, dual flow 40's, E-fan, Alum rad, currently under the knife getting shortened and bagged build thread 41 3/4 ton (wife's)-flatbed, fully restored to original 01 Tahoe LT 4WD (my daily driver)-Magnaflow Muffler, Rollin on 22's 02 Ford Mustang Convertable (Wife's Car)-Flowmaster 50, Clear corners, Intake, sittin on 18's

12-07-2010, 06:01 PM	#24
dyrt Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Yardville, NJ Posts: 144	Re: 6 lug front drum to disc conv. just out of curiosity, what is the inner diameter of the spacer you made, or, rather, the diameter of the hub? would it have been easier to buy the front rotors from a 6 lug astro van and machine out the center hole if it was too small? Mike

12-07-2010, 08:36 PM	#25
jborders Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: pontiac, illinois Posts: 85	Re: 6 lug front drum to disc conv. I could have done that and i thought about it. First i looked all over for something that would fit with no machining and had no luck. in the end i thought if i was going to have to machine something i just wanted to do it once not every time i needed new rotors. I wanted to go to the parts store get what i needed bring it home put it on and be done with it.

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