Cost of disc swap vs drum refurb

[Alex69c10]

Hi all,

As part of my mini resto to get my C10 on the Power Tour in June, I am going to completely overhaul the drum brakes, as I have no idea what kind of state they're in. That includes master cylinder too.

I'm just trying to figure if it's just going to be easier to swap over to discs now rather than rebuild the drums and then switch over to discs at a later point.

I really want to know what kind of price I'd be looking at, as I'm not sure what I'd need to convert.

Thanks!
Alex

[swb4me]

I've done both and the actual cost depends on the quality of parts you use. A good rebuild of a 4 wheel drum brake system is $200-$300. A front disc brake kit will run you about $800. You can do the disc brake kit a bit cheaper if you buy used spindles and buy the other parts seperately.. I use the kit because everything you need is included. It's surprising how fast all those little pieces add up when you buy the parts separately.

[Caddylackn]

It is getting hard to find good new brake drums. The offshore stuff quality is sub par. Some of the replacement drums don't even have the brake adjustment window cast into them. Good luck gettting those off again.......

Can you have your drums turned by a machine shop, are they usable? And don't ask the national chain brake stores, they no longer do this service.

[Alex69c10]

Originally Posted by swb4me

I've done both and the actual cost depends on the quality of parts you use. A good rebuild of a 4 wheel drum brake system is $200-$300. A front disc brake kit will run you about $800. You can do the disc brake kit a bit cheaper if you buy used spindles and buy the other parts seperately.. I use the kit because everything you need is included. It's surprising how fast all those little pieces add up when you buy the parts separately.

Awesome, thanks for the info! I thought that might be the case. I don’t want to go too wild, as there’s lots of other things I need to get done.

[Alex69c10]

Originally Posted by Caddylackn

It is getting hard to find good new brake drums. The offshore stuff quality is sub par. Some of the replacement drums don't even have the brake adjustment window cast into them. Good luck gettting those off again.......

Can you have your drums turned by a machine shop, are they usable? And don't ask the national chain brake stores, they no longer do this service.

Yeah, I can imagine. I’ve not gotten them off yet, that’s a job for next week. Though I’m trying to price up what I need. If they’re grooved then I’ll replace. Though I’ll have a look at them once they’re off. I don’t trust cheap Chinese remakes for braking. I’d rather spend the money and stop when I need to.

[71meangreenc10]

Out here, I cannot even give front drum stuff away, no one wants it. When I do get a truck with drums, they get swapped out along with near everything in the brake system.

On the cost, not really an issue if you swap the crossmember. I just got a complete setup for my 68 stepside for 150 with tires and calipers. I could have ran it, but I will change out all the bushings and balljoints and linkages for my own piece of mind.

Smitty

[Alex69c10]

Originally Posted by 71meangreenc10

Out here, I cannot even give front drum stuff away, no one wants it. When I do get a truck with drums, they get swapped out along with near everything in the brake system.

On the cost, not really an issue if you swap the crossmember. I just got a complete setup for my 68 stepside for 150 with tires and calipers. I could have ran it, but I will change out all the bushings and balljoints and linkages for my own piece of mind.

Smitty

What cross member did you get for the 68?

[tdangle]

Something to keep in mind also, is swapping to disc from drums require new spindles, bearings, ball joints, tie rod ends, etc. Basically rebuilding the entire front end. If yours is ready for a front end rebuild you want to factor in that cost that would be included in a "kit" I just went thru this with my C20. Would never go back to front drums now. So much improvement, I didn't realize how bad shape my drum brakes were in.

[Alex69c10]

Originally Posted by tdangle

Something to keep in mind also, is swapping to disc from drums require new spindles, bearings, ball joints, tie rod ends, etc. Basically rebuilding the entire front end. If yours is ready for a front end rebuild you want to factor in that cost that would be included in a "kit" I just went thru this with my C20. Would never go back to front drums now. So much improvement, I didn't realize how bad shape my drum brakes were in.

I’m with you, there. I’m going to check it all out. If it’s salvageable I’ll probably just rebuild it and see if it’ll survive the power tour! I have big plans which involve big brakes, so don’t want to go wild now and have to change them out later. Though it’s about 25 years since I drove front drums…

[cj847]

You can spend as much as you want. I think I would fork up for a disk swap. The aftermarket is great, there are tons of options. If you are on a budget, see this link, you can swap brakes from a 71 thru 86 chevy depending on what is available. I personally wouldn't swap a crossmember, just bolt on the A arms and associated steering parts.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=4450757

[Alex69c10]

Originally Posted by cj847

You can spend as much as you want. I think I would fork up for a disk swap. The aftermarket is great, there are tons of options. If you are on a budget, see this link, you can swap brakes from a 71 thru 86 chevy depending on what is available. I personally wouldn't swap a crossmember, just bolt on the A arms and associated steering parts.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=4450757

That’s awesome! If I need to switch out the master cylinder I might as well go for a disc brake one. Thank you for the information!

[71meangreenc10]

Originally Posted by Alex69c10

What cross member did you get for the 68?

It was off a square with rubber bushings. Goes in easy, drill one new hole on each side and elongate one existing hole. Everything else bolts right in.

Smitty

[kwmech]

Still have 4 wheel drum on my 68 3/4 truck. Runs and stops just fine--even overloaded now and then

[Alex69c10]

Thank you, all! I appreciate the information. I like discs so I’ll price them up and see what I need to replace anyway! See where we go.