Brake rotor swap

[Greg63]

I currently have front drum's on my '63. I also have a complete 5 lug front disc set-up off of a '71 sitting in my garage.
I would like to go to front disc's on my '63 using this set up but want to retain my 6 lug pattern.
Which vehicles 6 lug rotor can I use to replace the stock '71 5 lug rotor that I already have?
Greg.

[markeb01]

Options and part numbers are listed in the following thread:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=367260

[Greg63]

Thanks.
I read through that before I posted and got a little confused. I was hoping someone who knew could give me a definate answer.
Greg

[Captainfab]

There aren't any OEM 6 lug rotors that will fit those spindles. The only 6 lug rotors that will work with those spindles are the aftermarket ones from suppliers such as CPP and ECE. If you want to stay with OEM parts and 6 lugs, you'll have to use different spindles and calipers as well as different lower control arms. That is all explained in the thread that markeb01 posted.

BTW front disc brakes weren't available until '71....just so you know when searching for parts.

[Greg63]

Thanks, that is the definate answer I was hoping to get.
Greg.

[Greg63]

I just heard back from GMCPauls - they won't ship outside the U.S.
I have dealt with CPP before and got royally hosed on the UPS charges (they wouldn't ship USPS), so I won't be dealing with them, and I don't know anything about ECE.

Does anyone know of any other suppliers of these aftermarket rotors?
Greg

[Greg63]

ECE will ship to Canada, but it will be around $130 through USPS.

If I was closer to the border I would ship to an outlet and go pick it up.

This is one of those times I am envious of you American's.
Greg.

[Malibob]

I agree with Greg- None. I looked everywhere and at every GM vehicle for them. EVERYWHERE!!!

Talk to CPP; Lately they seemed to work with me on some stuff recently. Look on Ebay for similar and see what the shipping charges will be. Also you may find them on there brand new from them for a LOT less (sometimes).

Other than that, I do not know who makes the best and cheapest ones.

[Malibob]

Originally Posted by Greg63

This is one of those times I am envious of you American's.
Greg.

One of those times? C'mon now. We are awesome.

[Greg63]

Originally Posted by Malibob

One of those times? C'mon now. We are awesome.

Sorry, that was my humbly conservative, Canadian personality showing through.
Greg

[Greg63]

Originally Posted by Malibob

I agree with Greg- None. I looked everywhere and at every GM vehicle for them. EVERYWHERE!!!

Talk to CPP; Lately they seemed to work with me on some stuff recently. Look on Ebay for similar and see what the shipping charges will be. Also you may find them on there brand new from them for a LOT less (sometimes).

Other than that, I do not know who makes the best and cheapest ones.

I will keep a look out for these rotors. They are an improvement for my '63, they are not necessary to get me back on thr road.

Having said that; my humbly conservative, Canadian, I want what I want right now attitude is now beginning to show. We'll see how long my patience can hold up.
Greg

[Greg63]

Another question related to this swap;
Will the '71 disc spindle be a direct swap for the '63 drum spindle?
Greg

[chevy_mike]

Originally Posted by Greg63

Another question related to this swap;
Will the '71 disc spindle be a direct swap for the '63 drum spindle?
Greg

No, you have to use '71-'72 ball joints. You also have to sort out the tie rods/center link with the correct ones and tie rod adapter sleeves or use all of the '71 parts.

[Greg63]

Great!
I thought this was going to be a semi-low dollar swap. Now I have to get ball joints and tie rods? Man, I should have left it as a 4 drum truck.
Greg.

[raycow]

Originally Posted by Greg63

Great!
I thought this was going to be a semi-low dollar swap. Now I have to get ball joints and tie rods? Man, I should have left it as a 4 drum truck.
Greg.

If you still have access to the donor truck, the low buck trick is to grab everything from the control arm shafts out and also the center link and tie rods. Some people even swap the crossmember too, but IMO it's less work to adapt the later control arm shafts to your original crossmember.

Ray

[Greg63]

Originally Posted by raycow

If you still have access to the donor truck, the low buck trick is to grab everything from the control arm shafts out and also the center link and tie rods. Some people even swap the crossmember too, but IMO it's less work to adapt the later control arm shafts to your original crossmember.

Ray

That ship has sailed.
I will be using '71 outer tie rods and moving the '63 outer tie rods to the inner position and then using the custom CPP sleeve adapters to tie it all together.
Greg

[Greg63]

Well, it is all done.
The '71 disc's are now on the truck and it is a great upgrade from the drums.
I found that I needed to replace the upper and lower balljoints with the '71 ball joints (you need balljoints to match the spindle you are using), but contrary to what I was led to believe, my '63 tie rod ends attatched properly to the '71 spindles.
I was prepared to use '71 outers and switch my '63 outers to inners (I even bought the CPP custom adjuster sleeves), but when I went to install the '71 outers they were too big for the hole on the spindle. The '63's dropped in like they were supposed to be there.

Now I have a pair of '71 outer tie rods I don't need as well as a pair of adjusters. Maybe for the next project.
Greg.