Another Drum to Disk Question

[JWheeler331]

One of my first things I want to do to my truck is convert the front drum brakes to disk. I have read over the FAQ section and found some great articles on it.

I have found prices all over the place from around 850+

I am pretty much learning as I go with all of this but hoping that by reading and learning from the experience of others.....I will make less costly mistakes.

That said, I have a few questions.

First, I was looking at the Early Classic kit that says its everything I will need to complete the swap. I think it comes in at just under 900.00.

Right now I still have the 6 lug rims. They are aftermarket rims and at some point I plan to change them but I am not sure to what yet. If I install the disk brakes on my truck will I most likely HAVE to change the rims ?



For future rims I was thinking about going with LMC Truck rally wheel with the number 3 hubcap but do not know if these rims will fit over the disk brakes. If those rims will not fit the disk brakes and I will have to buy other rims....I will just go to 5 lugs. I was just hoping to use the rims on my truck a little longer.

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cbe/full.aspx?Page=55



What im trying to do is keep my truck with as little down time as possible due to me not wanting to have my truck completely hogging up my father in law's shop.

I want to focus on the brakes first .......start the swap, complete the swap in a timely fashion.

If I will need to get rims also or other things then I would rather order the parts when I can....get them all and then do the job.


Sorry for all of this....I know that brakes have been talked about a bunch on here.

[gimmy 64]

those rims will clear the disc brakes. i have them on my truck. DO not buy them from lmc check out summit jegs or many other people.they are probably built by the same co. i know the primered or plane ones are like $60. ece does come with everything even brake lines.

[JWheeler331]

Originally Posted by gimmy 64

those rims will clear the disc brakes. i have them on my truck. DO not buy them from lmc check out summit jegs or many other people.they are probably built by the same co. i know the primered or plane ones are like $60. ece does come with everything even brake lines.

Thank you. I know there is not many options for 6 lug trucks but at this time I dont want the extra espense of having to buy all new rims plus doing the back brakes at this time.

[mark 66]

we just bought a mc gaughys 2.5 drop spindle with calipers,rotors,bearings, and hoses off e bay for 479 plus shipping

[JWheeler331]

Originally Posted by mark 66

we just bought a mc gaughys 2.5 drop spindle with calipers,rotors,bearings, and hoses off e bay for 479 plus shipping

That is all that is needed to make the swap right?


Edit;.....I see now that it dont.

[66Submarine]

FYI, you can use a junkyard 71-87 disk spindle/caliper, etc, and a late 80's light duty 3/4 ton rotor to get six lugs and disk brakes. I can dig up what I had on the subject if you're interested.

[JWheeler331]

Originally Posted by 66Submarine

FYI, you can use a junkyard 71-87 disk spindle/caliper, etc, and a late 80's light duty 3/4 ton rotor to get six lugs and disk brakes. I can dig up what I had on the subject if you're interested.

I am def. interested. Thanks.

[66Submarine]

Here's some info I dug up:

http://sixty7ss.proboards.com/index....play&thread=25
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=35042
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=379775
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=322587
http://c10forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2542
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=177230

[66Submarine]

I'll also add that I can't say for sure what works, as I haven't made to switch to disk brakes yet, but if you need any help I'll try if I can. I do have a 71' C-10 with disks; in the next few days I might pull the wheel & rotor off and take some measurements, to see if the rotors interchange or not.

[JWheeler331]

Thanks. I will check it all out.

[kieth]

Originally Posted by JWheeler331

Thanks. I will check it all out.

I do not know where you are with your build but here is what we did:

bought a wrecked 91 suburban 2wd, cost $900.00

1. bolted the front crossmember in to replace the one in my 66

2. bolted in the sway bar

3. used the engine (TBI 350 with the computer)

4. used the powersteering gearbox

5. used the 700R4 transmission

6. used the tilt wheel

7. used the complete wiring harness and fuse panel

8. used the newer motor mounts

9. could have hooked up the cruise control

If I would have known about those 88 3/4 ton 6 lug rotor hubs I would have not had to convert to 5 lug, but I like the wheels I ended up with.

here is a link to the build:

Good Luck Kieth

http://kieth.smugmug.com/Trucks/66-G...5158&k=c93wLV9

[JWheeler331]

Originally Posted by kieth

I do not know where you are with your build but here is what we did:

bought a wrecked 91 suburban 2wd, cost $900.00

1. bolted the front crossmember in to replace the one in my 66

2. bolted in the sway bar

3. used the engine (TBI 350 with the computer)

4. used the powersteering gearbox

5. used the 700R4 transmission

6. used the tilt wheel

7. used the complete wiring harness and fuse panel

8. used the newer motor mounts

9. could have hooked up the cruise control

If I would have known about those 88 3/4 ton 6 lug rotor hubs I would have not had to convert to 5 lug, but I like the wheels I ended up with.

here is a link to the build:

Good Luck Kieth

http://kieth.smugmug.com/Trucks/66-G...5158&k=c93wLV9

Thanks. My build has yet to begin. My truck is pretty much a stock 1965 Stepside with little to no modifications. It has the 283 V8.

I like to be able to stop so my first project I want to tackle is the brakes.

[kieth]

I bought a front crossmember with a power steering gearbox for 250.00 at a salvage for another project. but the donor vehicle is the inexpensive way to go. I got all that stuff for $900.00 that is within budget.....Kieth

[JWheeler331]

Originally Posted by kieth

I bought a front crossmember with a power steering gearbox for 250.00 at a salvage for another project. but the donor vehicle is the inexpensive way to go. I got all that stuff for $900.00 that is within budget.....Kieth

Seems most of our "junk'' yards have dried up around here. When I was in High School there were tons of them. We used to hang out and pull parts off of all kinds of things. Now they seemed to be mostly gone with no trace of them being there.

I do know of one that is still around within driving distance. Might have to go spend a day there this weekend.

[tincan1966]

Something being overlooked here- comparing a junk yard or donor front end price compared to a new kit isn't really a fair deal.

You need to consider rebuilding costs of the salvage FE- ball joints, tie rods, bearings, seals, etc. Plus clean up time and chemicals.

Either way you should be rebuilding suspension for a safety asspect.
I personally think a crossmember change is a waste of time, when you can just switch out ball joints and outer tie rods to install newer style spindles during the rebuild.

Again just my opinion, but seeing all these posts about $900 kit VS $200 salvage yard parts, isn't a fair comparison.

[JWheeler331]

Originally Posted by tincan1966

Something being overlooked here- comparing a junk yard or donor front end price compared to a new kit isn't really a fair deal.

You need to consider rebuilding costs of the salvage FE- ball joints, tie rods, bearings, seals, etc. Plus clean up time and chemicals.

Either way you should be rebuilding suspension for a safety asspect.
I personally think a crossmember change is a waste of time, when you can just switch out ball joints and outer tie rods to install newer style spindles during the rebuild.

Again just my opinion, but seeing all these posts about $900 kit VS $200 salvage yard parts, isn't a fair comparison.

Agreed. Suspension and brakes.....well.....those all need to be in great working order in my opinion. I will look at a nearby salvage yard to see if they have something in really good shape that could be made like new for a small amount of money. If they dont then I will be ordering all new parts.

[gofastnut]

I keep forgetting about the Burbs! I'm gonna have to start looking for those bad boys!

[JWheeler331]

Something else I just thought of. If I use one of the Early Classic kits. When its time to replace my rotors or brakes can I just go to Autozone or somewhere and buy them or would I have to order from Early Classic? What year rotor would I need if I could get it local?

It dont seem to say what year stuff they use.

[gofastnut]

73-88 burb, they and the pickups use the same front brakes for that year range.
I think...