Drums on a 72? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

PloreOSU · 01-20-2003, 01:24 PM

I just bought a 72 GMC C-10. The front brakes are drums. I've seen posts on the board that suggest that all 71-72 trucks had front disc brakes.

I'm planning on buying the disc brake conversion kit, but I want to make sure that the spindles on mine are correct first.

Thanks in advance.

Project1970 · 01-20-2003, 01:54 PM

Well, either you had a bona-fide Dope-Smoking Old Man work on the truck and convert it back to drums, or you have a '67-'70 frame...sounds strange. Do you have a VIN from the truck?

yellowgmc · 01-20-2003, 01:57 PM

yeah, something's definately not right there.

PloreOSU · 01-20-2003, 02:03 PM

Heres the VIN: TCE142Z508626

Most of the stuff seems correct. The options sticker lists a front sway bar (missing, but the brackets are there), and rear leaf springs plus heavy duty leafs (it looks like there is an add-on pack to the leafs).

I don't know much about the truck because the guy I got it from didn't work on it at all and didn't bother to ask any questions from the previous owner.

PloreOSU · 01-20-2003, 04:43 PM

Okay,
Assuming that my truck has been fiddled with, how do I tell the difference between a 71-72 spindle and a 67-70? Is there some sort of visual clue?

jose · 01-20-2003, 04:56 PM

Are you sure thats a T in the beginning of vin # ? The spindles are different 67/70 and 71/72 . The vin # without the T shows that it is a 72 GMC 1/2 ton as for the drum brakes it looks like somebody has converted to drum brakes .

PloreOSU · 01-20-2003, 05:08 PM

Jose,
Yes its a "T", I have the registration in front of me. I double checked that the registration and the truck VIN are identical. The registration claims its a 1972 as well. Unfortunatly I have the original build sheet, but it's pretty well destroyed.

nu2-72 · 01-20-2003, 05:13 PM

Next step is this, if it is the same as the Chevy trucks, look on the top of the frame rail right next to the steering box. You may have to clean it off a little. The #'s are stamped into the frame and should match your VIN. If not, you may have had a frame swap.

**Classic Heartbeat** · 01-20-2003, 05:17 PM

Well there isn't a visual clue on the spindles. However there is on the front crossmember. In 71-72 the bracket where the rubber brake lines meet the steel lines are welded to the front of the crossmember. The 67-70's are on the rear. It will be important to know what you have so that when you replace it you get what will work. The tie rod ends and ball joints are also different from 67-70 than 71-72. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com

pound41 · 01-20-2003, 06:37 PM

I have seen a 72 with drum front brakes. many years ago I had a neighbor who had one. He was always after me to get a new work truck so he could get the front power disk brakes off my 72

PloreOSU · 01-20-2003, 09:00 PM

Another follow up...
The VIN number on the chassis matches that on the body. Also, I went into Midas to have an exhaust leak fixed today and I mentioned the weird brakes to the mechanic. He said that he'd seen a lot of trucks from farmers in Oregon with the drum brakes. So, it looks like I have the old style spindles (the brake lines are attached on the back of the front cross member), however at least I may not have a messed up truck.

Project1970 · 01-20-2003, 09:49 PM

I can't say I've ever heard of it, but that is a 1972 VIN...

Good luck figuring out what it is and what you need to convert.

Hooter · 01-20-2003, 10:36 PM

sounds like one of those weird owners who didnt want discs and maybe ordered it that way. It's like on my old 74, one of the options on the sticker said "high energ ign del" now why would someone NOT want Hei?

MOTHERTRUCKERS · 01-20-2003, 10:39 PM

71-2 spindles are a 1 piece casting with the tie rod arm cast in,67-70 are a 2piece spindle and the tie rod arm bolts on with 2 bolts.

Longhorn Man · 01-20-2003, 11:10 PM

The T is correct for a 72 GMC also...kinda like the extra C on 72 Chevys.
I have never heard of the drums on a 71/72 either. Is it 6 lug? How about the rear axle...is it 6 lug?

01-20-2003, 01:24 PM	#1
PloreOSU Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 42	Drums on a 72? I just bought a 72 GMC C-10. The front brakes are drums. I've seen posts on the board that suggest that all 71-72 trucks had front disc brakes. I'm planning on buying the disc brake conversion kit, but I want to make sure that the spindles on mine are correct first. Thanks in advance. __________________ 72 GMC, 2x4, LWB Fleet DONE: 2/3 drop, 17" rims, front end rebuild, front/rear sway bars Working on: old air AC, blazer tank, rear discs, 03 silverado seats.

01-20-2003, 01:54 PM	#2
Project1970 14.1 @ 96MPH Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 2,811	Well, either you had a bona-fide Dope-Smoking Old Man work on the truck and convert it back to drums, or you have a '67-'70 frame...sounds strange. Do you have a VIN from the truck? __________________ Project1970 - LS1 Swap Complete!

01-20-2003, 01:57 PM	#3
yellowgmc Getting cabin fever?!?!?! Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: chisholm, mn Posts: 1,679	yeah, something's definately not right there. __________________ Member of the Discs Up Front Club 1972 GMC 1500 1994 F-150 XL 4x4 Tact is for people not whitty enough to be sarcastic

01-20-2003, 02:03 PM	#4
PloreOSU Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 42	Heres the VIN: TCE142Z508626 Most of the stuff seems correct. The options sticker lists a front sway bar (missing, but the brackets are there), and rear leaf springs plus heavy duty leafs (it looks like there is an add-on pack to the leafs). I don't know much about the truck because the guy I got it from didn't work on it at all and didn't bother to ask any questions from the previous owner. __________________ 72 GMC, 2x4, LWB Fleet DONE: 2/3 drop, 17" rims, front end rebuild, front/rear sway bars Working on: old air AC, blazer tank, rear discs, 03 silverado seats.

01-20-2003, 04:43 PM	#5
PloreOSU Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 42	Okay, Assuming that my truck has been fiddled with, how do I tell the difference between a 71-72 spindle and a 67-70? Is there some sort of visual clue? __________________ 72 GMC, 2x4, LWB Fleet DONE: 2/3 drop, 17" rims, front end rebuild, front/rear sway bars Working on: old air AC, blazer tank, rear discs, 03 silverado seats.

01-20-2003, 04:56 PM	#6
jose Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Salem , Oregon 97301 Posts: 1,796	Vin Are you sure thats a T in the beginning of vin # ? The spindles are different 67/70 and 71/72 . The vin # without the T shows that it is a 72 GMC 1/2 ton as for the drum brakes it looks like somebody has converted to drum brakes .

01-20-2003, 05:08 PM	#7
PloreOSU Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 42	Jose, Yes its a "T", I have the registration in front of me. I double checked that the registration and the truck VIN are identical. The registration claims its a 1972 as well. Unfortunatly I have the original build sheet, but it's pretty well destroyed. __________________ 72 GMC, 2x4, LWB Fleet DONE: 2/3 drop, 17" rims, front end rebuild, front/rear sway bars Working on: old air AC, blazer tank, rear discs, 03 silverado seats.

01-20-2003, 05:13 PM	#8
nu2-72 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Amazonia, Mo. USA Posts: 2,821	Next step is this, if it is the same as the Chevy trucks, look on the top of the frame rail right next to the steering box. You may have to clean it off a little. The #'s are stamped into the frame and should match your VIN. If not, you may have had a frame swap. __________________ 72 3/4 4x4 350 4spd 72 3/4 4x4 350 auto 2004 Duramax Silverado 4x4 2006 Duramax Crew cab 4x4 2010 Harley Ultra Limited 2011 Harley Street Glide

01-20-2003, 05:17 PM	#9
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,766	Well there isn't a visual clue on the spindles. However there is on the front crossmember. In 71-72 the bracket where the rubber brake lines meet the steel lines are welded to the front of the crossmember. The 67-70's are on the rear. It will be important to know what you have so that when you replace it you get what will work. The tie rod ends and ball joints are also different from 67-70 than 71-72. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

01-20-2003, 06:37 PM	#10
pound41 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,268	I have seen a 72 with drum front brakes. many years ago I had a neighbor who had one. He was always after me to get a new work truck so he could get the front power disk brakes off my 72

01-20-2003, 09:00 PM	#11
PloreOSU Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 42	Another follow up... The VIN number on the chassis matches that on the body. Also, I went into Midas to have an exhaust leak fixed today and I mentioned the weird brakes to the mechanic. He said that he'd seen a lot of trucks from farmers in Oregon with the drum brakes. So, it looks like I have the old style spindles (the brake lines are attached on the back of the front cross member), however at least I may not have a messed up truck. __________________ 72 GMC, 2x4, LWB Fleet DONE: 2/3 drop, 17" rims, front end rebuild, front/rear sway bars Working on: old air AC, blazer tank, rear discs, 03 silverado seats.

01-20-2003, 09:49 PM	#12
Project1970 14.1 @ 96MPH Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 2,811	I can't say I've ever heard of it, but that is a 1972 VIN... Good luck figuring out what it is and what you need to convert. __________________ Project1970 - LS1 Swap Complete!

01-20-2003, 10:36 PM	#13
Hooter My other Love Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Castlegar B.C. Canada Posts: 4,085	sounds like one of those weird owners who didnt want discs and maybe ordered it that way. It's like on my old 74, one of the options on the sticker said "high energ ign del" now why would someone NOT want Hei? __________________ Castlegar B.C.The great white North (Canada Eh!) Hooter_5@hotmail.com First generation Monte Carlo club pictures of my life

01-20-2003, 10:39 PM	#14
MOTHERTRUCKERS Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: BRADENTON FLA Posts: 3,269	71-2 spindles are a 1 piece casting with the tie rod arm cast in,67-70 are a 2piece spindle and the tie rod arm bolts on with 2 bolts. __________________ Rest in Peace Ed. Thanks for all the good times.

01-20-2003, 11:10 PM	#15
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	The T is correct for a 72 GMC also...kinda like the extra C on 72 Chevys. I have never heard of the drums on a 71/72 either. Is it 6 lug? How about the rear axle...is it 6 lug?



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