Need your opinion on 8-lug drum to disc conversion

[derotoreut]

I'm seriously thinking about converting my '69 C20 to front disc brakes. I have been looking at the CPP kits, but I'm not sure if I should keep the 8-lug set up or change it to 5-lug. What do you guys think? If I change to a 5-lug set up would I have to change out the entire rear end, or is a gear/axle swap possible on a corporate 8-lug rear end? Lets hear it!

[derotoreut]

Anyone have any thoughts? If I convert to front disc brakes should I change over to 5-lugs? If so, what would I have to do to the rear end to convert over to 5-lug?

[playstock]

Converting to a 5 or 6 lug setup is your preference. You'll probably find better wheel selection if you do. I have a '69 longhorn and used the disc brake setup off of a '71 longhorn.

[derotoreut]

Thanks. I'm trying to find out what I would have to do to the rear end in order to keep the same lug pattern if I wanted to go with 5 or 6-lug set up. I was hoping to find someone that has gone through this with a 3/4 ton 8-lugger.

[lolife99]

You will have to swap out the entire rearend housing.

Is your truck a coil spring rearend or leaf spring?

[KrazyRay]

I would find an 8 lug square body truck and swap out the complete front suspension/brakes/engine crossmember. I believe there are 14 bolts to remove the crossmember from the frame. You roll out the drum setup and then roll in the disc setup. You now have disc brakes and the higher quality ball joints. I sell these complete setups local in norcal for $100.

[Shaky]

I have a '67 C20 that I'm thinking about converting in the future. I don't have any experience with the 3/4 ton conversion, but I keep this site bookmarked:

http://blackbirdscustomtrucks.com/index7.html

[stsalvage]

there is a lot of talk Now days in the front end swaps I'm hearing you can just take off the old drum brakes and swap a set of upper and lower ball joints tie rods and brake hoses and spindles.No need to touch the A frame

[derotoreut]

Originally Posted by lolife99

You will have to swap out the entire rearend housing.

Is your truck a coil spring rearend or leaf spring?

My C20 has coil spring, Corporate HO52 rear end, with 4.10 ratio. So I wonder what rear end would swap if I want to go different lug pattern?

[leddzepp]

Find a 71 or 72 1/2 ton donor truck for the disk brakes and the matching rear if you want to go 5 lug. If all you want is front disk brakes, get them from a 71-72 3/4 ton truck and you can keep 8 lugs all the way around.