Disc Brake Upgrade Reference Thread

[KACKERMANN]

hey guys thanks for this post it is very helpfull with my 66 build. but got a question. so i went to the local junk yard and pulled the front suspension from a 88 1/2 ton chevy truck got all the suspension except for the k-member. now if i rebuild that can i bolt that up to my 66. upper lower control arms spindle springs. steering linkage and all. i have read all the post on here and just wanted to see if i needed anything else for it.

[Captainfab]

The suspension from a '88 pickup will not bolt up to your '66. If you had gotten your parts from a '71-'87 pickup or '71-'92 Suburban, you could do as you are asking.

The complete pickup platform changed in '88, and is not interchangeable with earlier years. The only way you can use those parts on your '66 is to use your original upper control arm, a '63-'66 C20 lower control arm, and then install the '88 upper and lower balljoints, spindles, rotors, calipers, etc. This is the same as the 6 lug conversion described in this thread.

Originally Posted by KACKERMANN

hey guys thanks for this post it is very helpfull with my 66 build. but got a question. so i went to the local junk yard and pulled the front suspension from a 88 1/2 ton chevy truck got all the suspension except for the k-member. now if i rebuild that can i bolt that up to my 66. upper lower control arms spindle springs. steering linkage and all. i have read all the post on here and just wanted to see if i needed anything else for it.

[Fast Freddy]

This maybe a dumb question but; (Mine is a 68), Why not just put a whole front end under the truck, one with dics brakes. If I remember correctly, the 71 or 72 with 4 wheel drive front ends had a 6 lug patten too? Tell me if this can be done?
Thanks

[aggie91]

Originally Posted by Fast Freddy

This maybe a dumb question but; (Mine is a 68), Why not just put a whole front end under the truck, one with dics brakes. If I remember correctly, the 71 or 72 with 4 wheel drive front ends had a 6 lug patten too? Tell me if this can be done?
Thanks

The 4wd trucks were 6 lug, but none of the front end parts will work on for converting a 2wd truck disc brakes and stay 2wd.

You can however remove the complete crossmember assembly with arms and spindles/brakes from a 71-87 1/2 ton 2wd truck to make it 5 lug with disc brakes. There are companies that make a 6 lug rotor to go on the factory spindle, that way you would keep 6 lug front.

[edszuk]

Here's a question. The previous owner of my truck put a 3/4 8 lug rear end on now my C10. I found a 80's 3/4 2WD suburban, a may sound silly, but can I put the front spindles on my truck so I can have matching rims? Does someone have a step by step on how to replace a rear end. either way I think i'm going to have to spend some cash. I just think it my be easier to do the front than the rear.

Ed

[Captainfab]

If you want a 3/4 ton, then by all means go ahead and switch the front. But you will at a minimum have to change the lower control arm as well as the spindles, rotors, calipers, etc. IMO if you don't necessarily want a 3/4 ton, just change the rear end, it's a lot simpler. What year of truck do you have? If you want discs on the front, just get a 1/2 ton '71-'87 front suspension for the front. Then you could get away with just changing the balljoints, spindles, rotors, calipers, etc. Regardless whether you go to 3/4 ton or 1/2 ton front discs, you will need to upgrade the brake master to a dual reservior unit.

Originally Posted by edszuk

Here's a question. The previous owner of my truck put a 3/4 8 lug rear end on now my C10. I found a 80's 3/4 2WD suburban, a may sound silly, but can I put the front spindles on my truck so I can have matching rims? Does someone have a step by step on how to replace a rear end. either way I think i'm going to have to spend some cash. I just think it my be easier to do the front than the rear.

Ed

[edszuk]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

If you want a 3/4 ton, then by all means go ahead and switch the front. But you will at a minimum have to change the lower control arm as well as the spindles, rotors, calipers, etc. IMO if you don't necessarily want a 3/4 ton, just change the rear end, it's a lot simpler. What year of truck do you have? If you want discs on the front, just get a 1/2 ton '71-'87 front suspension for the front. Then you could get away with just changing the balljoints, spindles, rotors, calipers, etc. Regardless whether you go to 3/4 ton or 1/2 ton front discs, you will need to upgrade the brake master to a dual reservior unit.

I have a 66 C-10 1/2 and would like to keep it a 1/2. On the rearend you have reweld perches and panhard right? Do you know what the pinion angle would be? I would love to convert to 5 lug. I went to a local junkyard to see what they had. He had a 5 lug front clip sitting there collecting dust. I asked him how much would it be for the 5 lug front end and a rear end. He said 500.00. That's how much I paid for the truck. I thought this was much for junkyard parts. I called a few junkyards around here and all want close to 250.00 for rear ends. Does anyone in California have a 6 lug rear end laying around for less?

Ed

[Captainfab]

Yes if you were to use a '73-'87 rear end you would have to weld on mounts for the trailing arms, and a mount for the panhard bar. I don't know off the top of my head what to set the pinion angle at. I would suggest checking the one you currently have and just duplicating that unless you plan on a big drop in your rear suspension. A '71-'72 rear end would be a direct bolt in but these can be hard to find.

It just kills me when I read about how much some of you guys in other parts of the country are having to pay for parts. Around here you could pick up a complete '73-'87 truck for $500 or less depending on condition and whether it's complete/ running or not. But it's that supply and demand thing......

Originally Posted by edszuk

I have a 66 C-10 1/2 and would like to keep it a 1/2. On the rearend you have reweld perches and panhard right? Do you know what the pinion angle would be? I would love to convert to 5 lug. I went to a local junkyard to see what they had. He had a 5 lug front clip sitting there collecting dust. I asked him how much would it be for the 5 lug front end and a rear end. He said 500.00. That's how much I paid for the truck. I thought this was much for junkyard parts. I called a few junkyards around here and all want close to 250.00 for rear ends. Does anyone in California have a 6 lug rear end laying around for less?

Ed

[edszuk]

thanks for the info. Ya'll are great. The 3/4 ton rear end is working so I'm not in a rush to change it. I'll keep looking. I found a nice kit for the rear end conversion kit.

http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...k/6072DRCK.htm

[Chris65GMC]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

OK I finally got around to compiling this.
Here is a list of parts and part numbers for converting to 6 lug disc brakes using factory parts. There will likely be updates later to the applications and years, as this here is just what I can confirm at this time.

You will need the following parts from a '88-'98 C1500 or 7200#GVW C2500 pickup or Suburban, or from a Express or Savanah Van thru 2002 in a 1500 or 7200#GVW 2500 model.

Spindles (unless you want dropped spindles)
Rotors (if you find a 7200# GVW 2500 series)
Calipers
Front caliper hoses
Outer tie rods
Tie rod adjusting sleeve
Lower control arm from a C20 (the '67-'72 have shorter bumpstop brackets. The '73-'87's will work, but may need to modify bumpstop bracket depending on rideheight)

Don't forget all the little parts like, spindle nuts and washers, dust caps, nuts, bolts, washers, etc.

The following are part numbers for new or rebuilt parts that can be sourced from your local auto parts store. Some of these are duplicates of the above in case you need new parts instead of good used ones. These part numbers I found online at CSK/O'Reilleys website. I looked these parts up for a '90 C2500 7200#GVW pickup.

Rotors
Raybestos 56915RGS

Outer Bearing
CR bearing BR3

Inner Bearing
CR bearing BR5

Inner Seal
CR seal 19984

Inner Tie Rod
McQuay-Norris ES2020L

Outer Tie Rod
McQuay-Norris ES2836RL

Tie Rod Adjusting Sleeve
McQuay-Norris ES2004S

Unloaded Calipers
Cardone 184299 (R)
Cardone 184300 (L)

Loaded Calipers
Cardone 154299 (R)
Cardone 154300 (L)

Semi-Metalic brake pads
Brake Best MKD369 (cheapest)
Brake Best SM369 (next best)

There are many brake pads to choose from. It just depends what you want performance wise and budget wise.

Front Hoses
Brake Best BH177760 (L)
Brake Best BH177761 (R)

Raybestos BH38620 (L)
Raybestos BH38621 (R)

Upper Ball Joint
McQuay-Norris FA1616

Moog K6292

Lower Ball Joint
McQuay-Norris FA1617

Moog K6293


I think that about covers it. If you find any errors, let me know and I'll correct it in this post. If you have anything to add, post up.

Great very informative post! Just so i understand thsi particular portion... 6 lug disk was not available on 73-87 models; hence, the need to use the newer parts?

Thanks!

Chris

[Captainfab]

That is correct the '71-'87 C10's were not available from the factory with 6 lugs. If you want 6 lugs and disc brakes, you can either do the conversion with the '88-'98 OEM parts, or you can buy aftermarket 6 lug rotors for the '71-'87 spindles from suppliers such as CPP, ECE, etc.

Originally Posted by Chris65GMC

Great very informative post! Just so i understand thsi particular portion... 6 lug disk was not available on 73-87 models; hence, the need to use the newer parts?

Thanks!

Chris

[66coffin]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

That is correct the '71-'87 C10's were not available from the factory with 6 lugs. If you want 6 lugs and disc brakes, you can either do the conversion with the '88-'98 OEM parts, or you can buy aftermarket 6 lug rotors for the '71-'87 spindles from suppliers such as CPP, ECE, etc.

Yup the Cap is correct, just did the 6 lug disc rotor from CPP, they are compatible w/ 73-87 parts.

[bubba327]

I agree with The Captain- I used 6 lug CPP rotors and calipers on 71 spindles and had no problems.

[malford]

I am looking at this post as a reference for a project I am working on to find some donor parts. The project is a 1963 SWB Stepside C10. I recently ran across a guy parting out a 1986 2wd Suburban and I think there are some parts on it I can use to convert to disc brakes up front as well as power steering. What can I use off of this vehicle?

[protrash64]

Originally Posted by malford

I am looking at this post as a reference for a project I am working on to find some donor parts. The project is a 1963 SWB Stepside C10. I recently ran across a guy parting out a 1986 2wd Suburban and I think there are some parts on it I can use to convert to disc brakes up front as well as power steering. What can I use off of this vehicle?

You can use the whole front x-member, steering gear and power steering pump, and also the brake booster/ms-cyl set-up. Some other stuff I'm probably forgetting.....

[Captainfab]

You can also use the rear differential so you have 5 lug in the rear as well as the front. However this will require some cutting and welding. If this Suburban happens to have an engine and transmission, that can be used also.

[Slow Build]

I read somewhere that you can use the tranny crossmember from the suburban if you plan to do a 700R4 swap.

[raycow]

Sorry to keep on beating this thing to death, but I'm still not clear on this one point. Let's say you already have 5 lug 1-1/4" discs (73-87 type). Will the 88-98 6 lug rotors work on the existing spindles, or do you still have to do the spindle swap? When I tried a parts lookup, it appears that the bearings are the same, A3 and A5, but is that enough to insure that the rotors will swap?

Ray

[Russ65C10]

88 - 98 rotors will NOT fit on the 73 - 87 spindles. You need to order 6 lug rotors from CCP or whom ever. It's the easist way to stick with 6 lugs.

[Captainfab]

Yes the '88-'98 6 lug rotors do use the same bearings, and they do technically fit the '71-'87 spindles, but they don't line up with the calipers. So yes if you want to use those rotors, you will have to use the '88-'98 1500 or LD 2500 spindles and related parts. This also requires you to change the LCA to a C20 LCA.

Otherwise, if you're going to use the '71-'87 spindles, you will have to buy the aftermarket 6 lug rotors as Russ65C10 stated.

Originally Posted by raycow

Sorry to keep on beating this thing to death, but I'm still not clear on this one point. Let's say you already have 5 lug 1-1/4" discs (73-87 type). Will the 88-98 6 lug rotors work on the existing spindles, or do you still have to do the spindle swap? When I tried a parts lookup, it appears that the bearings are the same, A3 and A5, but is that enough to insure that the rotors will swap?

Ray

[ChiefRocka]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

The suspension from a '88 pickup will not bolt up to your '66. If you had gotten your parts from a '71-'87 pickup or '71-'92 Suburban, you could do as you are asking.

The complete pickup platform changed in '88, and is not interchangeable with earlier years. The only way you can use those parts on your '66 is to use your original upper control arm, a '63-'66 C20 lower control arm, and then install the '88 upper and lower balljoints, spindles, rotors, calipers, etc. This is the same as the 6 lug conversion described in this thread.

So you CAN use a '63 C-20 LCA....with an '88 BJ ?

It doesn't have to be a '67-'87 LCA ?

I have a rolling '63 C-20 Chassis that I am parting out.

[raycow]

Russ and Captain, thank you for clearing that up. It makes sense that if a factory part would fit, there wouldn't be any need for the aftermarket 6 lug rotors.

Ray

[Captainfab]

The '63-'70 C20 lower ball joints are the same part number. The '71-'87's are a different part number, but the ball joint hole in the LCA is the same size. The only issue with using a '63-'66 C20 LCA is the different shaft that they use. It is basically flat with holes for bolts to attack to the crossmember. So if you were to use the '63-'66 C20 LCA's on anything other than a '63-'66 C20 crossmember, the shafts would need to be changed to the '67-'86 C20 style.

Originally Posted by ChiefRocka

So you CAN use a '63 C-20 LCA....with an '88 BJ ?

It doesn't have to be a '67-'87 LCA ?

I have a rolling '63 C-20 Chassis that I am parting out.

[karlbenz]

wow, this is a lot of info. I am confused(which usually doesn't take a whole lot) I am wanting to put 8lug on my front end of my 1/2 ton 64gmc. I have a 91 8lug truck sitting here that I can use for parts. can I use anything off it?

[ChiefRocka]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

The '63-'70 C20 lower ball joints are the same part number. The '71-'87's are a different part number, but the ball joint hole in the LCA is the same size. The only issue with using a '63-'66 C20 LCA is the different shaft that they use. It is basically flat with holes for bolts to attack to the crossmember. So if you were to use the '63-'66 C20 LCA's on anything other than a '63-'66 C20 crossmember, the shafts would need to be changed to the '67-'86 C20 style.

So....could I just use my existing C10 crossshafts on the C20 arms ?

Or, does it have to be '67-'86 in order to bolt to my 63' c10 X-Member ?

I think I would prefer to use newer style rubber bushing style arms anyway...keeping it 6-lug