Want front disc brakes on my 70 K10. Donor axle years?

[glock35ipsc]

Search keeps kicking back an error, grrrr...

Looking to swap front axles in my 70 for a disc brake axle. Are there any of the newer years (73-87) that I should stay away from for any reason, or will any with the same gear ratio work? Any steering linkage differences?

Thanks!

[bigbadchev72]

Any of them will bolt in fine.

[Dunenutt]

May want to consider grabbing both axles from a doner, and avoid any headaches. A newer rear will probably have bigger brakes that keep up with those discs.

And yes, it will bolt up fine.

[lukefalls]

Originally Posted by Dunenutt

May want to consider grabbing both axles from a doner, and avoid any headaches. A newer rear will probably have bigger brakes that keep up with those discs.

And yes, it will bolt up fine.

Not entirely true. 73+ use a different rear spring width. I can't remember if its a bit wider or narrower, but its different. If you grab the rear, you'll have to move the perches.

If you only grab parts of a doner front axle, grab the spindles and everything out. There are some difference between 3/4 and 1/2 ton as well as differences in years. If you grab the spindles out, you'll be good.

[KrazyRay]

Your 70 k10 should be an open knuckle with drum brakes. I think you can change out the outers with disc brakes and not mess with changing the whole axle.

[GOLD70K5]

Has anyone ever seen a disc brake conversion kit to change a 70 K5 front diff over from drums to discs? I know they make them for the two wheel drive trucks,but never seen them for the 4x4's. Any info is appreciated.

[Dunenutt]

Originally Posted by GOLD70K5

Has anyone ever seen a disc brake conversion kit to change a 70 K5 front diff over from drums to discs? I know they make them for the two wheel drive trucks,but never seen them for the 4x4's. Any info is appreciated.

As long as it's a dana 44 style axle, you should be able to swap everything from knuckle out from a wrecking yard. Grab the outer shafts too, because some are different diameters. You can measure the distance between the knuckle bj's to be sure before buying.

[Dunenutt]

Or you can buy really good stuff that will never break, not cheap though. Poly performance has tons of conversion stuff for everything.

http://www.polyperformance.com/shop/...t-p-16920.html

[chisler]

Keep in in mind that the 73 and newer front diff with disc brakes came with the larger u-joints in the axles...good upgrade also...did it to mine

[71Flat]

I have front discs on my 71 K20 Dana 44 front. Just wanted to point out that the rotors are massive and stop the truck just fine even while pulling a loaded trailer in the rain.

[chevytruckguy70]

Are the axles from the 70s and 80s the same width as the 1970 ones. I bought a 70 k20 whose front end had been swapped and it is 1 1/2 inches wider per side. Is that normal?
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[lukefalls]

Maybe normal. 1/2 Dana 44/10 bolts are 67" wide.

3/4 ton Dana 44/10 bolts are 69" wide

[chevytruckguy70]

I have the original drum brake axle which measures 54.5" from ball joint to ball joint. The disk brake axle measures 55" that way. The extra length is all from the ball joint to the wms. Also, the lugs are larger than the drum axle. I'm wondering if I have a front end from a dually which is why it may be wider. I really do not the front wider than the rear.
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[lukefalls]

Not if its only an inch and a half wider per side. Dually axles are usually substantially wider. Like 7" per side.