Best disc brake conversion kit for 69 GMC c1500

[andrewpclayton]

I saw a 5 year old post and it appeared the consensus was the ECE kit.. is that still the most popular? I want 5 lug with the drop spindle

[demian5]

Scarebird won't let you down. You can buy the parts from the local parts store. Do some searching in the forum, this was discussed a couple days ago at length.

[hewittca]

Originally Posted by demian5

Scarebird won't let you down. You can buy the parts from the local parts store. Do some searching in the forum, this was discussed a couple days ago at length.

Maybe I'm completely missing what this Scarebird "kit" is all about, but I'm not seeing how this is a good option to do the conversion. From what I can tell all you get is a caliper bracket for your stock drum spindle and some hardware.

Then you have to piece together everything else? If you know what you need and just want a straight up drum to disk swap, that's great. But it really limits you from making any other changes. andrewpclayton mentioned he wanted 5 lug and drop spindles, but that's not an option with the Scarebird kit. If you used the Scarebird kit and eventually wanted to go drop spindles, you'd have to completely replace everything to go back to an aftermarket drop spindle and the 73-up style disk brake components.

[lolife99]

Highly recommend ECE.
Give them a call.
www.earlyclassic.com

[stsalvage]

I still have not understood if your keeping your truck stock or trying to convert a 3/4 or 1 ton truck to 1/2 ton with disc brakes.

All you need to do is Order a set of CCP spindles an us a reamer for the 3/4 ton OR 1 ton ball joints CCP told me they make a spindle that takes the 3/4 or 1 ton ball joints.No need to swap front ends.

Its the spindle you need to change and CCP makes them with 1 -3 inch drop.Never could under stand why spend the extra money.

Unless you like fancy for control arms or A arms.Never ever see people checking out your A arms under a lowered truck.

That's like having a gold plated Oil pan.is any one caring to look.Its my thoughts.

Some of us people are POOR people.

the bothers had a saying and it still works to day if you can't Fix it right now and you need to get it home you have to nig--- Rig It.

Some of the best thing I've seen have come from doing that same thing.

[andrewpclayton]

I ordered the scarebird set up.. thanks for the suggestion!

[demian5]

Originally Posted by andrewpclayton

I ordered the scarebird set up.. thanks for the suggestion!

And then all that is left is the new master and a combo valve (and booster if you don't have one). You don't even need to run new brake lines unless you want to.

http://www.abspowerbrake.com/maincat...ameset024.html

[demian5]

Originally Posted by andrewpclayton

I ordered the scarebird set up.. thanks for the suggestion!

Post pictures as you get parts and what brake hoses you get, etc...

[andrewpclayton]

The kit says you can substitute a 5lug so that part is fine.. I’ll just do lowering springs/shocks for the front instead which is fine. I love the idea of not spending $1000 to get safer brakes

[harpo231]

Full conversion front and back parts cost 2150$ for mine

[hewittca]

Originally Posted by andrewpclayton

The kit says you can substitute a 5lug so that part is fine.. I’ll just do lowering springs/shocks for the front instead which is fine. I love the idea of not spending $1000 to get safer brakes

Yeah, keeping costs down is definitely a plus. It's nice to have an option to just do a straight up disk swap without the added expense of the spindles. For me, I'm looking at dropping the front quite a bit so I definitely need drop spindles. You can't really go more than 2-3" drop in the front with just springs.

[turbotruck]

any update on
this?

[andrewpclayton]

I am knees deep in it now.. it’s going ok I’m a beginner at all this, and these instructions that came with the kit leave a lot to be desired.

[demian5]

Originally Posted by andrewpclayton

these instructions that came with the kit leave a lot to be desired.

I'm a tech writer for OEM manufacturers and offered to re-write them for them pro-bono.

[andrewpclayton]

Ha I was thinking this whole time I should rewrite this for them.. they need color pictures and a parts diagram and clear steps.. the shopping list had things on it that were already in the kit, and didn’t have brake pads on it which I didn’t realize til I got to that point and tore my workspace up looking for them.. the website should have had a shopping list so I could have been prepared better.. parts cost 375 at Napa with $90 of that being core deposit on the calipers. I’m gonna go to a junkyard and get a set then return those.

[turbotruck]

i got the instructions from them. looks really simple. what parts came in the kit that was on the list?

[andrewpclayton]

I think it was the banjo bolts and dust caps, and the list didnt include pads which is obvious but I just handed the NAPA guy my list, so I had to go back. I dont think the kit included the copper washers for the banjo bolts, but the brake lines had them. I went to buy more and came home to find out I already had them.

the rotors I bought from NAPA already had the ring that goes around the bearings pre installed, and I didnt know that was a thing (again I am new at all this).. So I was pounding one on top of it and couldn't get it to set in.. my grandpa set me straight on this tho.

the calipers into the bracket is a really really tight fit which is probably good. I was thinking I was going to have to file the bracket down, but a rubber hammer got the calipers in.

oh and getting my drum brake off was a monster hassle.. until the crowbar made an appearance

I have some 15" slotted mags and they are so so so close to the calipers like 1/16 of an inch maybe.. .I could file them down but I will probably get bigger wheels before I drive around.

I need to bleed the system today and we should be good

[turbotruck]

ive begun to source all of the parts from amazon. i think im at about $250 ish

[turbotruck]

got any pictures?

[alsriv2]

Just completed the brake conversion on my '69 C-10 this past weekend with great success. Took the entire steering setup out of a '79 suburban including idler arm and pitman arm. Also grabbed the '79 spindles and calipers for the brake conversion. Replaced the upper and lower ball joints in my '69 with new Moog parts for a '79. Replaced the inner and outer tie rod ends and adjusters as those parts were tired from the Suburban. Installed the 79 hubs, the rebuilt '79 linkages, installed new 6 lug rotors, used the calipers form the '79 as they were in good shape, replaced the brake lines converting the 3/16 lines to 1/4 inch and installed new flex lines using lines from a '72 to maintain the 11" length required for the '69 setup. Also installed a new brake booster and master cylinder from Summit. My front end is now tight, all brand new braking system, and the truck stops on a dime. Huge improvement from drum brakes.
Total cost...just under $500 for everything.

[andrewpclayton]

Scarebird conversion is complete.. went well and the only thing that held me up really was my lack of experience.. if scarebird is reading this, they reeeeally need to have the instructions re written with a parts list and pictures.
Quite a difference on the stopping definitely worth it.