easy disc brakes originally posted 1/4/03

[peglegs]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=35042

This was posted by dream68 1/4/03
he is no longer a member


i have just swapped my drum brakesover to disc brakes by using the front pieces off a 1988 chev pickup. all i had to do was replace my bottom a-arm from a 1/2 ton to a 3/4 ton a-arm. the top balljoint was the same one but the bottom one had to be changed to a 88 ball joint. it pops right into the 3/4 ton a-arm. it only cost me 140.00 to do it as well. then your steering linkage just has to be adjusted to fit. i hope this helps somebody.

My questions
#1 not knowing much about 4 x 4's are these parts taken off a 2wd? 4wd? or both
#2 as discussed all steering attaches to the 88 parts does this also include power steering
#3 my truck is a 67 im pretty sure the 68 is the same?

[lolife99]

I'm not a fan of this swap, so maybe someone who has actually done this will reply .
I like using 73-87 front components.
No need to change lower a-arms.
If you still want 6 lug wheels up front, there are plenty of aftermarket suppliers that make 6 lug rotors.

Better yet, use "year specific" spindles and there is no need to change ball joints or tie rod ends.
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[peglegs]

lolife 99 cuold you elaborate on the 73 to 87 components to use, would it be from the spindles and all those parts? is this a bolt on if not what mods r needed thanks a bunch

[lolife99]

It's the same disc conversion as any other 5-lug disc brake swap.
You can use 71-72 parts.
You can use 73-87 parts.
Or the best choice,... buy disc brake spindles made for your 67 truck.
Direct bolt on to your original balljoints and tie rods.
They can be purchased in either standard or drop spindles.

Then,... bolt on stock 73-87 1.25" wide rotors, (or aftermarket 6-lug rotors. approx. $85 each), 73-87 caliper, dust shields and bearings. DONE.

The problem I have with the 88-98 stuff,... is geometry.
I'm no engineer,... but is the 88-98 spindle was designed to work with factory length of the upper and lower 67-87 a-arms?

This is all my opinion,... but the factory a-arm/spindle design is hard to beat.
Buy a set of 67-70 conversion spindles and either 5-lug or 6-lug rotors and be done.
Alot of members buy the complete crossmember really cheap, and salvage the used parts.

I converted my 69 swb and kept it 6-lug.

[peglegs]

wow lolife sounds good got a heads up on who has the stock spindles & 6 lug rotors.....GM ?

[lolife99]

ECE (www.earlyclassic.com)
Buy your spindles and 6 lug rotors from them.
The rest can be purchased locally.
If you want, they can sell you everything you need.

Read in the "suspension" section.
Disc brake swaps are discussed daily for the 60-66 trucks, and the 67-70 trucks.
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[lolife99]

Edit: You can use a stock 73-87 spindle,... But this will require you to change both upper and lower a-arms and tie rods,
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[gcburdic]

Originally Posted by lolife99

You can use a stock 73-87 rotor,... But this will require you to change both upper and lower a-arms and tie rods,
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Keith...did you mean spindle instead of rotor??

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by gcburdic

Keith...did you mean spindle instead of rotor??

Yes I did.
Thanks.
I shouldn't post from my cell phone.