1960 C10 Budget Front Disc Kit???

[gbrown]

I found this kit this weekend and wondered if anyone else here has used it? My truck is a torsion bar front end so I can't just upgrade the A-arms and spindles to a 73-87 like a lot of you guys can-- I have to swap the entire cross-member and I'm having a hell of a time locating one. I thought this might be a good alternative. Thoughts?

http://www.classicparts.com/1960-63-.../#.URkeNx1JM1I

[gbrown]

I realize I'd have the car 5-bolt pattern, which is unfortunate. But this would upgrade those terrible ball bearings to roller bearings and parts are easily accessible.

[gbrown]

Btt

[chevytrucknut61]

You could do what I did only I bought the whole power disc brake kit from ece. Only you could buy the spindle that would let you put on 73 to 87 stock disc and calipers.

[Reyals Bemus]

I would NOT use that kit. The rotors you will be required to run are NOT adequately sized to safely stop a full size truck.

[slepysal]

I hear you on the price of the bearings !!!
As you know for us 60-62 guys disc brakes are not as easy to do. Yes you can swap out the front cross member, or go with disc brake spindles ( about 200-300) or you can try those adaptors.
What ever way you decide to go you would still need new or rebuilt calipers,new rotors,brake hose and a disc master cylinder.
You may also run into some problems with a booster if your truck is a stick.
I went with the spindels ,6lug rotors from Mcgauhy. I purchased the calipers,hoses,bearings and seals from a local parts house ( ask for 1972 c10 parts) I got new balljoints and an aluminum master from CPP.I am going to use a hydroboost instead of a vacum booster. All I need to do is find time to install .
The addaptors seem easy enough to install but may be a bit small.

[doobiebro]

gbrown I had alot of decisions to make on my 60 and like slepysal says about the cost of the bearings its crazy..So I went with CPP and everything was bolt on and I was done with it!!!

[gbrown]

Originally Posted by Reyals Bemus

I would NOT use that kit. The rotors you will be required to run are NOT adequately sized to safely stop a full size truck.

Really? Because according to http://www.oldride.com/, most of the applicable 'donor' vehicles were heavier than the truck.

I've decided against this kit anyways, strictly based upon the bolt pattern.

[Reyals Bemus]

Well I own a '69 Chevelle and I doubt its heavier than my C10, but I could be wrong about that! All I know is that the rotors & bearings on the Chevelle are substantially smaller than the rotors on the C10. For what its worth.

[robber grin]

73-87 C10 - 1 1'4" rotors - even if you have to buy a basket case to get the clip - part it out / scrap it and save what you need.

Aftermaket 6 lugs rotors are available everywhere and it's by far the cleanest simplest overall effective upgrade going. Just did it to my 62 C10 using all 78 2wd burb parts.

Check the local CL on a daily basis, hit the local yards, and do something else that will need to be done for the upgrade while you're searching and before you know it the pieces are in place.

Good luck!
rg

[gbrown]

Originally Posted by robber grin

73-87 C10 - 1 1'4" rotors - even if you have to buy a basket case to get the clip - part it out / scrap it and save what you need.

Aftermaket 6 lugs rotors are available everywhere and it's by far the cleanest simplest overall effective upgrade going. Just did it to my 62 C10 using all 78 2wd burb parts.

Check the local CL on a daily basis, hit the local yards, and do something else that will need to be done for the upgrade while you're searching and before you know it the pieces are in place.

Good luck!
rg

I found a 73-87 cross member (finally)! Going to look at it tomorrow night. You say you've done this swap on your 62 recently? What else should I get while I'm there? Power steering pump? Brackets? Master/Booster? Any help is greatly appreciated! Thank you.

[robber grin]

Originally Posted by gbrown

I found a 73-87 cross member (finally)! Going to look at it tomorrow night. You say you've done this swap on your 62 recently? What else should I get while I'm there? Power steering pump? Brackets? Master/Booster? Any help is greatly appreciated! Thank you.

If you are doing the power steering upgrade and the box is there you may want to grab it as well. At the very least it's a valuable core for a reman unit.

Grab the center link, tie-rods, idler, pitman, if it's worth it only. IF the stuff is junk let it go be junk somewhere else but you can still document things with some pics and measurements. Center link should be good for sure.

Sway bar too. Brackets can me made to work even with the early box frame if you use long bolts or do cut outs for frame mounts.

I did get the booster & master and it's the 6 bolt welded stud bracket typical of the light trucks in this era, so I think it will work with some drilling and perhaps a plate over the stock master's location to reinforce as well as seal things off.

Proportioning valve is a possibility too.

Just check mileage, apparent wear issues (i.e. rusty as heck, damaged, or whatever).

When I bought my 78 parts, the truck had been in a garage for 20 years and everything was fairly clean, so I snagged it ALL for $250.

These trucks are the "Model T's" of our era - just be patient if this isn't the one you will no doubt find another.

Best of luck & keep us posted.
rg

[lolife99]

The quickest and easiest would be to buy 60-62 disc brake spindles,... like mentioned above.
If the entire front end needs to be rebuilt,... I would swap the crossmember for the 73-87 version.

[64tantruck]

DoobieBro,

How were you able to convert yours?
We have a 61, would like to convert to a 6 lug rotor. (Want to keep our current wheels)
Hope to do this without change the crossmember.

Thanks,
Glenn

[gbrown]

Originally Posted by 64tantruck

DoobieBro,

How were you able to convert yours?
We have a 61, would like to convert to a 6 lug rotor. (Want to keep our current wheels)
Hope to do this without change the crossmember.

Thanks,
Glenn

Glenn,
I hope DoobieBro chimes in, but in case he doesn't, I believe he bought something like this: http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...6062SWBK-5.htm

or perhaps this:
http://www.classicperform.com/Store/...062SWBK5OE.htm

Both nice options if you've got the $$$. Although I do believe there could be clearance issues with a stock wheel...

[markeb01]

If all you want to do is get rid of the expensive ball bearings, post #5 on the following thread may prove helpful:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...wheel+bearings

[doobiebro]

Originally Posted by 64tantruck

DoobieBro,

How were you able to convert yours?
We have a 61, would like to convert to a 6 lug rotor. (Want to keep our current wheels)
Hope to do this without change the crossmember.

Thanks,
Glenn

gbrown is correct.. I pretty much rebuilt the original front suspension parts and ordered 6 lug 2 1/2" drop spindle disc brake wheel kit from CPP 5 years ago - Part # 6062SWBK-6. I have rear coil springs 4" drop and also bought the brake booster kit Very satisfied with the products and they warranty the parts lifetime.. I have the older version but I believe there are little diff from the new stuff they carry.. Also if you are using the OG rims they will NOT work with disc brake conversion. here are sum more pics..

[doobiebro]

Originally Posted by lolife99

The quickest and easiest would be to buy 60-62 disc brake spindles,... like mentioned above.
If the entire front end needs to be rebuilt,... I would swap the crossmember for the 73-87 version.

lolife is always correct.....