70 c20 disc conversion ??

[70CHEVYBB]

I just drove home a 70 c20. I would like to do a front disc conversion and keep the 8 lug. Can anyone tell me what options I have for this??

Thanks, Wes

[70's luvr]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=631840

[SS Tim]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...68&postcount=4

[70CHEVYBB]

How about an option of switching from manual drum to power drum brakes?

[quick60]

One of the aftermarket companies now sells 8 lug disc brake kits. Kinda pricy but its direct fit.

[SS Tim]

Originally Posted by 70CHEVYBB

How about an option of switching from manual drum to power drum brakes?

That is an easy upgrade and was often done on new trucks at the dealer wih GM accessory kits. Need to look up the specifics but basically it is a booster added behind your existing master and adding a vacuum source fitting to your engine. The lines are not opened or altered really just tweaked a little.

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by SS Tim

That is an easy upgrade and was often done on new trucks at the dealer wih GM accessory kits. Need to look up the specifics but basically it is a booster added behind your existing master and adding a vacuum source fitting to your engine. The lines are not opened or altered really just tweaked a little.

Exactly what I had the dealer do to mine prior to delivery when I bought it in 69.
They installed the normal 3/4 ton booster and the vacuum fitting in the picture below. Better "T" fittings are available aftermarket for whatever vacuum accessories you have. The one pictured is what the dealer did for auto transmission, A/C and the power brake addition. I now have a nice 3-way piece from Corvette Central. I believe some of the later years (71 and 72?) attached the booster to a port at the rear of the carb. base.

[airdale94]

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69

Exactly what I had the dealer do to mine prior to delivery when I bought it in 69.
They installed the normal 3/4 ton booster and the vacuum fitting in the picture below. Better "T" fittings are available aftermarket for whatever vacuum accessories you have. The one pictured is what the dealer did for auto transmission, A/C and the power brake addition. I now have a nice 3-way piece from Corvette Central. I believe some of the later years (71 and 72?) attached the booster to a port at the rear of the carb. base.

I would have had them do that to mine but I was only 2 years old and diddn't know any better!

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by airdale94

I would have had them do that to mine but I was only 2 years old and diddn't know any better!

Hell, I was only 7! Now I'm only 39!

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by 70CHEVYBB

How about an option of switching from manual drum to power drum brakes?

More info regarding my comments in post 7.
I told the 30 something mechanic in the resto shop last year that I had everything from a 72 C20 for a disc conversion, but since I'd already installed the original brake system I was going to wait. A few weeks ago, I let him drive the truck and told him he didn't need to baby it. One of the things he did was to hit the brakes hard at 60 MPH. He grinned and said "there's nothing wrong with drum brakes when they're set up right".

That said, discs are superior when wet or overheated. I only had one occurrence of brake fade in 118,000 miles.