Front Disc Brakes?

[vancelot69]

My 1970 Jimmy 4x4 has disc brakes on the front. From researching, it looks like 1970 still had drum brakes, and that they didn't go to disc until 1971.

My question is, how do I know if it is a disc conversion, or a newer axle with disc brakes?

In either case, do they use the same rotors and calipers? Can I just get some rotors and calipers from Napa?

I ordered ball joints from LMC and they seem to fit like they're the correct ones. One difference I did notice, the picture on the LMC website shows the tie rod end nuts facing up, but on my truck they are facing down.

Would y'all recommend getting blank rotors or drilled / slotted rotors?

[Chad22873]

70's had drum brakes, so it's a conversion or as you mentioned, a total axle replacement. Regardless, you should be able to take them to Napa and they will be able to match them up. Find the numbers that are stamped on the axle housing. They will tell us what it is. Post up a few pics as well if you can. As far as the ball joints, I have not seen one with the nuts facing down. Another reason the codes or pics would be helpful for identification. Blank rotors are just fine IMO unless you are going to be doing something other than normal driving all the time.

[tjsblazer]

Interesting, the Dana44 front axles I have seen have the tierods pointing down so that the nut is on the bottom ...

[hemi43]

Originally Posted by vancelot69

Would y'all recommend getting blank rotors or drilled / slotted rotors?

Don't bother unless you like the look. Slots or holes are designed to remove gases that build up between the pad and rotor, but you'll never see these conditions outside of racing.

[vancelot69]

I didn't look this morning, but I will. The one pic that shows "44-5F" was taken in 2014, and I didn't look extensively for any other markings, but I will when I get out this morning. I have replaced the passenger side ball joints and tie rod end back in 2014.

[Chad22873]

My bad. When you said the ball joints were facing down, I thought you meant the ball joints and not the tie rod ends. I see from your pic that the ball joint nuts are facing up and tie rods facing down. That is all correct. It is defiantly a Dana 44 and someone has just done a disc conversion on it most likely. The only way to really know is to get the date code off of the axle housing tube so you can see when it was built. The problem I have found with conversions is you don't have anything to go by when you order parts. So, the easiest thing to do is to take one side off and take them to a good parts store. They can match it up. I agree with hemi on the slots or holes. That's why I said no need for them in everyday normal driving. Unless you like the look. But then you need the right kind of wheels to even be able to see them.

[franken]

Block lifts on the front are generally considered a bad thing...

[jaros44sr]

I have one rotor that has a grove cut into it from the factory

Can't find another one

[vancelot69]

I've heard that blocks up front are a bad idea. I didn't put them on, a previous owner did. I've had it for over 2 years now and haven't had a problem with them *knocks on wood*. If I had the spare change, I would rather have a spring lift, but for now, this works.

I just did a quick check and I couldn't find the date stamp on the axle tubes. Could be rusted over, or could be I'm just blind.