Disc Conversion and Lowering Kit for a '72 Chevy - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BraveDave · 12-15-2002, 06:33 PM

Hi there! I just bought a really nice '72 Chevy Shortbed with front drums brakes. I intend to convert to discs and lower the truck all the way around. Can anyone tell me the best kit to buy. I don't want to drop the truck more than 4" inches and I don't want a bumpy ride. Any advice? thanks!

BraveDave

ol skool 68 · 12-15-2002, 06:54 PM

i used a grand slam dick brake conversion kit for mine. i got it from classic performance prod. www.classicperform.com i have been pleased with it thus far, they also offer a kit for converting the drums in the rear to a disk brake kit. which i also purchased. this kit includes everything you need to lower the truck and you can pick the amount you want to go...........check them out

neonlarry · 12-15-2002, 07:06 PM

If you bought a 72 chevy, shouldn't it have disc brakes already? Of course, someone could have taken the disc setup and used it on something else, but still that's kinda strange. Does it have 5 or 6 lug wheels?

ol skool 68 · 12-15-2002, 07:13 PM

good point and/or question i didn't even think of that.........

BraveDave · 12-15-2002, 07:32 PM

I thought it would have had disc's already. I won't get the truck til Friday. Maybe the guy's is mistaken about the year model. It does have 5 lugs.
olskool, I found the same kit and thought it looked pretty good. who much did you lower and how does it ride? thanks!

*racedvl* · 12-15-2002, 07:36 PM

If it's 5 lug, it should have disk. . . . . . . .

neonlarry · 12-15-2002, 07:36 PM

Ok, if it has 5 lugs in the front it has disc brakes. 71 and 72 should have 5 lugs and front disc brakes, 67-70 should have 6 lugs and front drums. If it is a 72 that someone put drum brakes on the front, I would at least look to see what else had been changed too before I bought it. lol

crazy longhorn · 12-15-2002, 07:37 PM

71 was the first yr for disc brakes, & also they went to a 5 lug wheel on the 1/2 ton 2 wd trucks.......it sounds like you already have them

A 2 1/2" dropped spindle, combined with a 1 1/2" drop spring should get you the drop you want. good luck.....crazy AL

ol skool 68 · 12-15-2002, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BraveDave
I thought it would have had disc's already. I won't get the truck til Friday. Maybe the guy's is mistaken about the year model. It does have 5 lugs.
olskool, I found the same kit and thought it looked pretty good. who much did you lower and how does it ride? thanks!

i lowered mine 5.5" n the front and 6 in the rear.......as far as ride? couldn't tell you yet, still haven't gotten to that point, however my buddy used the same kit on his, and it seems smooth to me. i loved the way his rode so much i purchased the same kit for mine.

ol skool 68 · 12-15-2002, 07:49 PM

on a quick note however, make sure you check each part when you get them to ensure they are what you ordered, i ran into this when it came time to install the front shocks and since it had been a while since i ordered them they would not take it back....oh well my fault for not checking

BraveDave · 12-15-2002, 08:59 PM

you guys know more than me....it must already have discs. i do have some pics but nothing worth posting. i will post some better pics on saturday. the truck arrives on friday. thanks for all the help!

Brave Dave

ol skool 68 · 12-15-2002, 09:04 PM

lol i don't know enough but i do know that i love my truck!! and i can't wait to get er done!

Btw welcome to the board!

Big Bearded Bastard!

Southpa · 12-15-2002, 09:12 PM

Believe it or not I think front drums were still optional for 71 -72. Sort of like my neighbors 72 Dodge van. Standard equipment was front discs but his has drums. I can't see why anyone would choose optional drums over discs.

BraveDave · 12-15-2002, 09:24 PM

Okay, I called the guy. He said it does have front discs. He apologized for the mis-info. Thanks to you guys, I now know a little more than I did this afternoon.
The truck is a Super Cheyenne, two-tone blue and white. The drivetrain is a 350/350 turbo from a '95 truck with 18,000 miles on it. They also used the '95 A/C package which the owner says is very cold. The interior has been redone with new carpet and the original seat recovered in velour. I got a heck of a deal considered most wanted 12-15000 for a similar truck. He is even bringing the truck down from Missouri me here in Houston. After I sell my 1925 Buick street rod, the '72 will get 17' Torq-Thrusts and the proper drop. It should look just like this when I finished.

BraveDave · 12-15-2002, 09:32 PM

well, this is cool.....first board i have ever seen when you can just attach the pic instead of a link.....anyway, here's the pic!

Crank · 12-15-2002, 09:47 PM

Excuse me, is that one of the picture that "aren't really worth posting?" Because if it is I think you should get yelled at by everyone on the board. Nice truck you've got there.
Brandon

supercheyenne · 12-16-2002, 12:29 AM

that truck is already lowered.

I also think I know the guy who built it. But I could be way wrong about that. NICE TRUCK BTW.

BraveDave · 12-16-2002, 12:47 AM

no no no...that was not my truck. i tried to buy that one 3 weeks ago but it was already sold. that one is supposedly 71, but it's pretty close to the same color. my seller didn't have a pic of the front but he did send me these (not worth posting, but i will post them anyway) better ones this weekend! thanks again!

BraveDave · 12-16-2002, 12:48 AM

i guess you can only post one pic at a time...

ol skool 68 · 12-16-2002, 12:51 AM

thats still a fine lookin truck! congrats

BraveDave · 12-16-2002, 12:53 AM

...and yet another!

BraveDave · 12-16-2002, 12:59 AM

Supercheyenne, i want you to know that i, too, am a serious Spongebob fan!!

dmec · 12-16-2002, 01:05 AM

i have found McGaughys to have the lowest prices on dropped suspension parts. 2 1/2 dropped spindles $229. front or rear coils $109. c notch kit $119. adjustable trac bar $59. you can check them out online. i have used all the parts and they are great.

sgtjed · 12-16-2002, 05:03 AM

ok what do you mean not worth posting? you made it sound as if it was ragged or somthing! that is a darn nice truck you go there.

VDOG · 12-17-2002, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dmec
i have found McGaughys to have the lowest prices on dropped suspension parts. 2 1/2 dropped spindles $229. front or rear coils $109. c notch kit $119. adjustable trac bar $59. you can check them out online. i have used all the parts and they are great.

Thats who I have been looking at also, McGaughys.
At the Brothers Truck Show, I talked to a guy who used their stuff, and he was saying all of their parts fit perfect.

12-15-2002, 06:33 PM	#1
BraveDave Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Magnolia, Texas Posts: 336	Disc Conversion and Lowering Kit for a '72 Chevy Hi there! I just bought a really nice '72 Chevy Shortbed with front drums brakes. I intend to convert to discs and lower the truck all the way around. Can anyone tell me the best kit to buy. I don't want to drop the truck more than 4" inches and I don't want a bumpy ride. Any advice? thanks! BraveDave

12-15-2002, 06:54 PM	#2
ol skool 68 turnin wrenches Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: my garage Posts: 260	i used a grand slam dick brake conversion kit for mine. i got it from classic performance prod. www.classicperform.com i have been pleased with it thus far, they also offer a kit for converting the drums in the rear to a disk brake kit. which i also purchased. this kit includes everything you need to lower the truck and you can pick the amount you want to go...........check them out __________________ "three can keep a secret if two are dead" -unknown hell's angel- D.M.C. -FF- 68 SWB full frame off (project ol skool) 2000 s-10 formally bagged but now my daily driver...

12-15-2002, 07:06 PM	#3
neonlarry Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,745	If you bought a 72 chevy, shouldn't it have disc brakes already? Of course, someone could have taken the disc setup and used it on something else, but still that's kinda strange. Does it have 5 or 6 lug wheels? __________________ 70 C/10 Light Red 350/TH350, HEI, Duals w/40 series Flows, 91 seat, LED taillights 99 Pontiac S/C GTP, SLP Ram Air hood, GMPP Konis & springs 95 Neon ACR, MP PCM, AFX UDP, 3.0 CAI Last edited by neonlarry; 12-16-2002 at 01:21 AM.

12-15-2002, 07:13 PM	#4
ol skool 68 turnin wrenches Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: my garage Posts: 260	good point and/or question i didn't even think of that......... __________________ "three can keep a secret if two are dead" -unknown hell's angel- D.M.C. -FF- 68 SWB full frame off (project ol skool) 2000 s-10 formally bagged but now my daily driver...

12-15-2002, 07:36 PM	#7
neonlarry Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,745	Ok, if it has 5 lugs in the front it has disc brakes. 71 and 72 should have 5 lugs and front disc brakes, 67-70 should have 6 lugs and front drums. If it is a 72 that someone put drum brakes on the front, I would at least look to see what else had been changed too before I bought it. lol __________________ 70 C/10 Light Red 350/TH350, HEI, Duals w/40 series Flows, 91 seat, LED taillights 99 Pontiac S/C GTP, SLP Ram Air hood, GMPP Konis & springs 95 Neon ACR, MP PCM, AFX UDP, 3.0 CAI Last edited by neonlarry; 12-16-2002 at 01:21 AM.

12-15-2002, 07:32 PM	#5
BraveDave Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Magnolia, Texas Posts: 336	I thought it would have had disc's already. I won't get the truck til Friday. Maybe the guy's is mistaken about the year model. It does have 5 lugs. olskool, I found the same kit and thought it looked pretty good. who much did you lower and how does it ride? thanks!

12-15-2002, 07:36 PM	#6
racedvl Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Woodstock, IL Posts: 7,020	If it's 5 lug, it should have disk. . . . . . . .

12-15-2002, 07:37 PM	#8
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,402	71 was the first yr for disc brakes, & also they went to a 5 lug wheel on the 1/2 ton 2 wd trucks.......it sounds like you already have them A 2 1/2" dropped spindle, combined with a 1 1/2" drop spring should get you the drop you want. good luck.....crazy AL __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

12-15-2002, 07:49 PM	#10
ol skool 68 turnin wrenches Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: my garage Posts: 260	on a quick note however, make sure you check each part when you get them to ensure they are what you ordered, i ran into this when it came time to install the front shocks and since it had been a while since i ordered them they would not take it back....oh well my fault for not checking __________________ "three can keep a secret if two are dead" -unknown hell's angel- D.M.C. -FF- 68 SWB full frame off (project ol skool) 2000 s-10 formally bagged but now my daily driver...

12-15-2002, 08:59 PM	#11
BraveDave Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Magnolia, Texas Posts: 336	you guys know more than me....it must already have discs. i do have some pics but nothing worth posting. i will post some better pics on saturday. the truck arrives on friday. thanks for all the help! Brave Dave

12-15-2002, 09:04 PM	#12
ol skool 68 turnin wrenches Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: my garage Posts: 260	lol i don't know enough but i do know that i love my truck!! and i can't wait to get er done! Btw welcome to the board! Big Bearded Bastard! __________________ "three can keep a secret if two are dead" -unknown hell's angel- D.M.C. -FF- 68 SWB full frame off (project ol skool) 2000 s-10 formally bagged but now my daily driver...

12-15-2002, 09:12 PM	#13
Southpa Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Victoria, BC, Canada Posts: 2,409	Believe it or not I think front drums were still optional for 71 -72. Sort of like my neighbors 72 Dodge van. Standard equipment was front discs but his has drums. I can't see why anyone would choose optional drums over discs. __________________ 1970 GMC 1500 Custom Original 350/TH350 Victoria, BC, Canada You can wish in one hand and crap in the other. See which one gets filled first.

12-15-2002, 09:24 PM	#14
BraveDave Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Magnolia, Texas Posts: 336	Okay, I called the guy. He said it does have front discs. He apologized for the mis-info. Thanks to you guys, I now know a little more than I did this afternoon. The truck is a Super Cheyenne, two-tone blue and white. The drivetrain is a 350/350 turbo from a '95 truck with 18,000 miles on it. They also used the '95 A/C package which the owner says is very cold. The interior has been redone with new carpet and the original seat recovered in velour. I got a heck of a deal considered most wanted 12-15000 for a similar truck. He is even bringing the truck down from Missouri me here in Houston. After I sell my 1925 Buick street rod, the '72 will get 17' Torq-Thrusts and the proper drop. It should look just like this when I finished.

12-15-2002, 09:32 PM	#15
BraveDave Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Magnolia, Texas Posts: 336	well, this is cool.....first board i have ever seen when you can just attach the pic instead of a link.....anyway, here's the pic! Attached Images

12-15-2002, 09:47 PM	#16
Crank Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Crittenden, KY Posts: 1,965	Excuse me, is that one of the picture that "aren't really worth posting?" Because if it is I think you should get yelled at by everyone on the board. Nice truck you've got there. Brandon



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12-16-2002, 12:29 AM	#17
supercheyenne Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Newton, KS, U.S.A. Posts: 1,142	that truck is already lowered. I also think I know the guy who built it. But I could be way wrong about that. NICE TRUCK BTW.

12-16-2002, 12:47 AM	#18
BraveDave Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Magnolia, Texas Posts: 336	no no no...that was not my truck. i tried to buy that one 3 weeks ago but it was already sold. that one is supposedly 71, but it's pretty close to the same color. my seller didn't have a pic of the front but he did send me these (not worth posting, but i will post them anyway) better ones this weekend! thanks again! Attached Images Last edited by BraveDave; 12-16-2002 at 06:59 PM.

12-16-2002, 12:48 AM	#19
BraveDave Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Magnolia, Texas Posts: 336	i guess you can only post one pic at a time... Attached Images

12-16-2002, 12:51 AM	#20
ol skool 68 turnin wrenches Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: my garage Posts: 260	thats still a fine lookin truck! congrats __________________ "three can keep a secret if two are dead" -unknown hell's angel- D.M.C. -FF- 68 SWB full frame off (project ol skool) 2000 s-10 formally bagged but now my daily driver...

12-16-2002, 12:53 AM	#21
BraveDave Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Magnolia, Texas Posts: 336	...and yet another! Attached Images

12-16-2002, 12:59 AM	#22
BraveDave Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Magnolia, Texas Posts: 336	Supercheyenne, i want you to know that i, too, am a serious Spongebob fan!!

12-16-2002, 01:05 AM	#23
dmec Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: yucaipa ca Posts: 580	i have found McGaughys to have the lowest prices on dropped suspension parts. 2 1/2 dropped spindles $229. front or rear coils $109. c notch kit $119. adjustable trac bar $59. you can check them out online. i have used all the parts and they are great.

12-16-2002, 05:03 AM	#24
sgtjed What if? Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Choctaw,Oklahoma Posts: 649	ok what do you mean not worth posting? you made it sound as if it was ragged or somthing! that is a darn nice truck you go there.

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