what brake system to change to on '66 c10

[lasher78]

ok i would like to know from any one who has changed their brakes system over to disc which way is the best and cheapest way to go? should i keep the 6lug set up and just buy a 6 lug disc brake conversion then find power steering pump and rack from junk yard, or should i keep trying to find a early 80s donor and use whole front assembly and the buy a rear axle conversion for my rearend so to match the 5lug of the 80s...i want to keep my orignal 12 bolt rear.
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[tincan1966]

The cheapest way to go is to add a power booster and tandem master cylinder and rebuild all four drum brakes- will work good and be very reliable.

2nd choice would be donor parts . Captainfab has a list of parts posted in a forum, on how to build your own 6 lug disc brakes, using common parts store parts. I believe you still use your original A arms, too, but not sure, woould have to look for the thread about it. (Something I would look into)

3rd would be a packaged kit- it'll be complete with about everything you will need, whether you are switching to 5 lug or staying with 6. Going to 5 will involve doing something with the rear axles/drums to change them over.

[Captainfab]

What I have done several times is just use the front suspension, steering, and brake master and prop valve from a '73-'87 donor truck. Those are plentiful and affordable.....at least in my area. Those spindles will accept the aftermarket 6 lug rotors as well. And also you can go with 6 lug front discs using all factpry parts. But that requires parts from more than one donor. This is described in the thread titled "Disc Brake Upgrade Reference Thread" It can easily be found by searching, or in the 60-66 FAQ index found at the top of the '60-'66 section page.

[lasher78]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

What I have done several times is just use the front suspension, steering, and brake master and prop valve from a '73-'87 donor truck. Those are plentiful and affordable.....at least in my area. Those spindles will accept the aftermarket 6 lug rotors as well. And also you can go with 6 lug front discs using all factpry parts. But that requires parts from more than one donor. This is described in the thread titled "Disc Brake Upgrade Reference Thread" It can easily be found by searching, or in the 60-66 FAQ index found at the top of the '60-'66 section page.

i looked at that section and this all sounds very complicated so can u tell me exactly what i would need to do and parts i would have to have to just keep drums but make them power like tincan1966 mentioned above...
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[lasher78]

Originally Posted by tincan1966

The cheapest way to go is to add a power booster and tandem master cylinder and rebuild all four drum brakes- will work good and be very reliable.

2nd choice would be donor parts . Captainfab has a list of parts posted in a forum, on how to build your own 6 lug disc brakes, using common parts store parts. I believe you still use your original A arms, too, but not sure, woould have to look for the thread about it. (Something I would look into)

3rd would be a packaged kit- it'll be complete with about everything you will need, whether you are switching to 5 lug or staying with 6. Going to 5 will involve doing something with the rear axles/drums to change them over.

thanks keeping drums and adding power sounds easiest...
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[gulfcoast66]

lasher78 if you can find a 1972 1/2ton that's being parted out that would be ideal for parts. For front breaks I used the 72 upper and lower a-arms and the complete center-link with the power steering unit attached. Everything bolted right up! You will need a power steering kit for the frame so you can bolt up your power steering correct(Capt Fab) has them.. oh yeah when I removed the 72 a-arms I just unbolted the top and bottom and removed all together.... Hope this Helps..[/IMG]
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[gulfcoast66]

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[gulfcoast66]

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[gulfcoast66]

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[lasher78]

Originally Posted by gulfcoast66

lasher78 if you can find a 1972 1/2ton that's being parted out that would be ideal for parts. For front breaks I used the 72 upper and lower a-arms and the complete center-link with the power steering unit attached. Everything bolted right up! You will need a power steering kit for the frame so you can bolt up your power steering correct(Capt Fab) has them.. oh yeah when I removed the 72 a-arms I just unbolted the top and bottom and removed all together.... Hope this Helps..[/IMG]
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ok ur saying that off of a 72 the a arms will just unbolt and rebolt to my stock locations and that the spindles and complete rotors and everything will just go with it..as well as the power streering pump and rack will just rebolt up ( with a bracket for box from
captianfab)? what about mastercylinder? that is going to change it to 5 lug right, so what did u do for rearend...want to keep stock 12 bolt
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[gulfcoast66]

Yes,yes and yes, It's fairly straight forward the Hardest part is finding a 72 doner. I think the 73-87 bolt-up the same. I used all 72 parts , brake booster master cylinder and bracket...
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[lasher78]

Originally Posted by gulfcoast66

Yes,yes and yes, It's fairly straight forward the Hardest part is finding a 72 doner. I think the 73-87 bolt-up the same. I used all 72 parts , brake booster master cylinder and bracket...
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what did u do about rearend?
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[Captainfab]

The '71-'72 control arms are no different than the '63-'70 control arms. So there's really no reason to change them for the '71-'72 arms, unless your bushings are worn out.

The '73-'87 components are easier to find, and bolt up just as easy. You can change to the '73-'87 control arms (with the better bushings IMO) if you want, or just change the ball joints in your original control arms, and then add the spindles, rotors and calipers. It really is not complicated at all. And if you want to keep your 6 lug wheels, just buy the aftermarket 6 lug rotors for the '73-'87 spindles.

[gulfcoast66]

1972 Suburban Rear-End, five lug. It also bolted right in place only a couple of U-bolts to change. It was a Lil wider than the original one....
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[lasher78]

Originally Posted by gulfcoast66

1972 Suburban Rear-End, five lug. It also bolted right in place only a couple of U-bolts to change. It was a Lil wider than the original one....
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going to a junk yard tomro..ill look in to that thanks
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[gulfcoast66]

No Problem Bro... Hope it helps.. Good Hunting!!!
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[Captainfab]

The '71-'72 C10 pickup, Suburban and Panel differentials will be a direct bolt into your truck. They will have the 5x5 wheel stud pattern, and are 1.5" wider that the original differential in your truck. Finding one of those around here is like finding a needle in a haystack.

[lasher78]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

The '71-'72 C10 pickup, Suburban and Panel differentials will be a direct bolt into your truck. They will have the 5x5 wheel stud pattern, and are 1.5" wider that the original differential in your truck. Finding one of those around here is like finding a needle in a haystack.

thanks while im out in junk yard how can i tell if i am looking at one...just look at rearend and if it is like mine good to go...or any other way?
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