'60 Disc Brake Conversion with Torsion Bars?

[Too Slow '90]

I have read through the conversion FAQ's and I can't find any info on converting to disc's and leaving the factory torsion bar suspension in place. I picked up an'86 donor but I can't bring myself to swap the crossmember as the '60 is a one owner, original truck and I would like to leave as much in place as possible but still have a few modern conveniences/safety measures. What are my options? I would also like a dual circuit master cylinder. The truck s a '60 short bed fleetside with a 235 and three on the tree. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[62 Barnfind]

I have the same problem with my 62. I got it all original with 235 and 3 speed. The only thing I changed was the color (went darker) and the wheels. Now I want to go back to the brigade blue again. I want to add disk brakes to the truck also and I did some research. If you type in 60-62 front power disk brake install with torsion bars you will come up with some information. I am planning on doing mine soon.

[lolife99]

Just add 60-62 disc brake spindles to your existing suspension.
http://www.summitracing.com/search/p...del/c10-pickup

[LostMy65]

Do what lolife suggests.

[Too Slow '90]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Just add 60-62 disc brake spindles to your existing suspension.
http://www.summitracing.com/search/p...del/c10-pickup

Thanks. They both appear to be drop spindles though.

[lolife99]

Man,... You guys give up too easy.
Google is your friend.
They come in stock spindles also.
https://www.performanceonline.com/19...e-Spindle-Set/
Almost all spindle manufacturers make them.Same price as drop spindles.
$230 almost everywhere

[Too Slow '90]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Man,... You guys give up too easy.
Google is your friend.
They come in stock spindles also.
https://www.performanceonline.com/19...e-Spindle-Set/
Almost all spindle manufacturers make them.Same price as drop spindles.
$230 almost everywhere

Thanks brother! I have been looking at posts since I joined and was never able to find anything. Didn't mean to bail so quickly.

[72 5500]

Will junk yard find disc brake spindles fit my 61????????

[slepysal]

No they wont unless they came off of a 60-62 that had been converted with the 60-62 specific DISC spindles

[72 5500]

I did not think it would be that easy. The link above from performance on line has the listing as fits 60 to 87 trucks.

[skysoldier173rd]

want to make sure I understand this. All I have to do is get a set of these aftermarket disc brake spindles made for my 60 and then I can bolt on all the disc brake parts from the newer trucks right onto my 60 GMC pickup with no issues?

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by skysoldier173rd

want to make sure I understand this. All I have to do is get a set of these aftermarket disc brake spindles made for my 60 and then I can bolt on all the disc brake parts from the newer trucks right onto my 60 GMC pickup with no issues?

Yes.
Use 71-87 HD rotors (1.25" thick) and matching calipers and bearings.
Direct bolt on.
That's why going to the junk jard and swapping in "donor" crossmembers is no longer neccessary.

You can also use aftermarket 6-lug "conversion rotors".
Most spindle manufacturers sell these also.

[superfly66]

I have searched through all these threads on the disc brake conversion, dead horse. I am very new to these trucks and have read alot on them! Here is my dilemma. I have a 66 C10 Fleetside and bought 73-87, 3" drop spindles by DJM. So I have read that I only need to replace the upper and lower ball joints along with the outer tie rods for the same year spindles. So, what I ran into was the new Moog outer tie rods have a larger thread than the ones I had taken off. So does that mean I have to replace the sleeve and upper tie rod? And why do I have to replace these when I measured the outer tie rods and they were the same length as the ones I had taken off!.? And apologize in advance for jacking the original thread.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by superfly66

I have searched through all these threads on the disc brake conversion, dead horse. I am very new to these trucks and have read alot on them! Here is my dilemma. I have a 66 C10 Fleetside and bought 73-87, 3" drop spindles by DJM. So I have read that I only need to replace the upper and lower ball joints along with the outer tie rods for the same year spindles. So, what I ran into was the new Moog outer tie rods have a larger thread than the ones I had taken off. So does that mean I have to replace the sleeve and upper tie rod? And why do I have to replace these when I measured the outer tie rods and they were the same length as the ones I had taken off!.? And apologize in advance for jacking the original thread.

73-87 outer tie rods are 11/16" diameter and RH thread.
63-70 outer tie rods are 5/8" diameter and LH thread.
You will need to use a 63-70 OUTER tie rod in the INNER location
You will also need a $50-$60 conversion tie rod sleeve.

The other option is to use ALL the steering from the 73-87 trucks.

All this is spelled out in the disc conversion thread at the top of the suspension forum.

[superfly66]

Originally Posted by lolife99

73-87 outer tie rods are 11/16" diameter and RH thread.
63-70 outer tie rods are 5/8" diameter and LH thread.
You will need to use a 63-70 OUTER tie rod in the INNER location
You will also need a $50-$60 conversion tie rod sleeve.

The other option is to use ALL the steering from the 73-87 trucks.

All this is spelled out in the disc conversion thread at the top of the suspension forum.

Lolife, Thanks for responce and leading me in the right direction!

[verdell]

If I'm not mistaken, 1988 3/4 ton 2wd 6-lug disc rotors will work on 1960-62
aftermarket disc spindles. I have the 6-lug disc set up on my pickup and I think it's the same rotor.

[Pizzaholic]

I have a '62 that was already lowered when I bought it, and I like the stance just how it is. I think that the front was lowered by adjusting the torsion bar suspension. If I convert to front disc brakes, do I need to use stock height spindles because it was already lowered by the torsion bar adjustment (because drop spindles would lower it further,) or do I actually need to use drop spindles because that would more closely match the current lowered ride height?

Also, I currently have a single cylinder master feeding both the brakes and the hydraulic clutch slave cylinder (SM420 4 speed manual.) I know I WANT to change to a dual master cylinder and add the power booster at some point, but do I HAVE to do it when I convert to discs?

[GMDad]

Originally Posted by superfly66

I have searched through all these threads on the disc brake conversion, dead horse. I am very new to these trucks and have read alot on them! Here is my dilemma. I have a 66 C10 Fleetside and bought 73-87, 3" drop spindles by DJM. So I have read that I only need to replace the upper and lower ball joints along with the outer tie rods for the same year spindles. So, what I ran into was the new Moog outer tie rods have a larger thread than the ones I had taken off. So does that mean I have to replace the sleeve and upper tie rod? And why do I have to replace these when I measured the outer tie rods and they were the same length as the ones I had taken off!.? And apologize in advance for jacking the original thread.

When I did my 65 I used a set of 72 spindles but in doing so I replaced upper and lower ball joints, inner and outer tie rods and sleeves along with the relay rod or centre link and the idler arm, all off of a 72. Had to redrill the holes to mount the idler arm and then bought 6 lug conversion rotors to keep bolt pattern the same. This was over 15 years ago. Today I would install a later crossmember or buy the correct disc spindles. Much easier and then to complicate I ended up installing the new centre link on backwards but thats another story.

[slepysal]

Originally Posted by Pizzaholic

I have a '62 that was already lowered when I bought it, and I like the stance just how it is. I think that the front was lowered by adjusting the torsion bar suspension. If I convert to front disc brakes, do I need to use stock height spindles because it was already lowered by the torsion bar adjustment (because drop spindles would lower it further,) or do I actually need to use drop spindles because that would more closely match the current lowered ride height?

Also, I currently have a single cylinder master feeding both the brakes and the hydraulic clutch slave cylinder (SM420 4 speed manual.) I know I WANT to change to a dual master cylinder and add the power booster at some point, but do I HAVE to do it when I convert to discs?

You can get disc spindles stock or lowered. If you like the stance and ride just go with stock height. Or you can get the lowered spindles and take a measurement of your stance install lower spindles and adjust your torsion bars. You may like the ride better.

As far as the master/ slave cylinder you will need a dual circuit if you swap to disc.
Here is a link on my swap : http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ight=1960+disc

[Captainfab]

When you convert to disc brakes, you can not use your original master cylinder.

I have what you need to convert to power disc brakes as well as keeping your hydraulic clutch.

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=362375

Originally Posted by Pizzaholic

I have a '62 that was already lowered when I bought it, and I like the stance just how it is. I think that the front was lowered by adjusting the torsion bar suspension. If I convert to front disc brakes, do I need to use stock height spindles because it was already lowered by the torsion bar adjustment (because drop spindles would lower it further,) or do I actually need to use drop spindles because that would more closely match the current lowered ride height?

Also, I currently have a single cylinder master feeding both the brakes and the hydraulic clutch slave cylinder (SM420 4 speed manual.) I know I WANT to change to a dual master cylinder and add the power booster at some point, but do I HAVE to do it when I convert to discs?