Disc Brake Upgrade Reference Thread

[5264chevytrucks]

This information is so useful!!! I am curious if this will work for my 52 C-10. I purchased a '88 1500 for the 350 crate motor and the 5 speed manual transmission. I want to stay with 6 lug on the '52. Can I use the '88 truck for my conversion?

[CVA59]

If i have a 73-87 front end. What rotors will interchange with these spindles so i will have 5 4-1/2 or 5 4-3/4" bolt pattern? My wheels are both bolt patterns.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by CVA59

If i have a 73-87 front end. What rotors will interchange with these spindles so i will have 5 4-1/2 or 5 4-3/4" bolt pattern? My wheels are both bolt patterns.

Get them machined/re-drilled for car pattern or check into these....
http://www.performanceonline.com/DIS...10-TRUCK-5514/

[Captainfab]

I'm not that familar with the '49-'55 truck frames, so I'm not sure what to say at this point. What is the width of the frame directly above the front axle.

Originally Posted by 5264chevytrucks

This information is so useful!!! I am curious if this will work for my 52 C-10. I purchased a '88 1500 for the 350 crate motor and the 5 speed manual transmission. I want to stay with 6 lug on the '52. Can I use the '88 truck for my conversion?

[CVA59]

I know this has been beat to death on this site but, can someone please give me the face to face width on the front end & rear end of my 64 with drums? Also the same dimensions for the 73-87 front end rotors & rear end drums. I am trying to figure different wheels and backspacing configurations.

[raycow]

The rears are 62" and 63-1/2". I have never measured the fronts.

Ray

[Captainfab]

I'll see if I can remember to measure a couple front suspensions I have at the shop tomorrow.

[Sick5]

adapter sleeve that mates your original inner tie rod to the later model outer tie rod
does anyone know where to buy this at

[Captainfab]

The guys that use them get them from CPP, ECE and maybe POL. There are ways around buying those. One is to simply upgrade the entire steering linkage to the '73-'87 parts. Another way, but I haven't confirmed this, is to change your inner tierods to the ES2020L tierods. These will mate up with the '73-'87 outer tierods with the '73-'87 adjusting sleeve. But like I said, I haven't confirmed that those inners will fit the taper in the '63-'70 draglink.

Originally Posted by Sick5

adapter sleeve that mates your original inner tie rod to the later model outer tie rod
does anyone know where to buy this at

[Sick5]

i just wanted to make it as cheap as i can. by changing the spindels and the upper and lower tie rod
and using the adapters was the cheaper way.
others wise im going to have to replace and buy ever single item
i want to upgrade to disc but im on a budget
if someone has a link to those adapter sleeve would be great!

[vivisix]

here's what i've found to be the easiest: Early Classic Enterprises has a spindle that works with the stock 64-66 suspension. I've grabbed calipers, booster, master and small parts from a 80 G-20 van. Yard parts=$50. Dropped spindles and 6 lug 1 1/4 rotors+dust caps, bearings, etc small pieces=500. So for $550 I will upgrade everything. If I went to 5 lug I could subtract about 130 from that total of new parts.

Freaking gorgeous pieces from ECE. can't wait to get my spindles. The extra benefit is that they are 12" rotors, not the 10" found in some of the kits. Massive freaking rotors.

I'll post pics of the upgrade when I have all the parts.

[Captainfab]

I looked for those adapter adjusting sleeves but couldn'r find them....I know I've seen them before, and have seen guys on here using them. Maybe one of them will chime in. Seems to me they were a little $$. You might check into the cost on those inner tierods I listed above, plus a pair of stock '73-'87 adjusting sleeves, and see how they compare to the adapter sleeves cost wise.

Originally Posted by Sick5

i just wanted to make it as cheap as i can. by changing the spindels and the upper and lower tie rod
and using the adapters was the cheaper way.
others wise im going to have to replace and buy ever single item
i want to upgrade to disc but im on a budget
if someone has a link to those adapter sleeve would be great!

[Captainfab]

I did get around to measuring a couple of front suspensions. Bear in mind that these were both 'unloaded' suspensions, so the actual width in the driving position will be slightly wider. Plus I couldn't get a real accurate measurement with where they were.

So the '63-'70 C10 front drum brake suspension measures 62" WMS to WMS. The '73-'87 C10 front disc brake suspension measures 63.5". So they appear to be basically the same width as the rear differentials for the respective years.

Originally Posted by CVA59

I know this has been beat to death on this site but, can someone please give me the face to face width on the front end & rear end of my 64 with drums? Also the same dimensions for the 73-87 front end rotors & rear end drums. I am trying to figure different wheels and backspacing configurations.

[Sick5]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

I looked for those adapter adjusting sleeves but couldn'r find them....I know I've seen them before, and have seen guys on here using them. Maybe one of them will chime in. Seems to me they were a little $$. You might check into the cost on those inner tierods I listed above, plus a pair of stock '73-'87 adjusting sleeves, and see how they compare to the adapter sleeves cost wise.

well i looked every were.i do hope someone can help. im trying to buy this sometime this week

Originally Posted by vivisix

here's what i've found to be the easiest: Early Classic Enterprises has a spindle that works with the stock 64-66 suspension. I've grabbed calipers, booster, master and small parts from a 80 G-20 van. Yard parts=$50. Dropped spindles and 6 lug 1 1/4 rotors+dust caps, bearings, etc small pieces=500. So for $550 I will upgrade everything. If I went to 5 lug I could subtract about 130 from that total of new parts.

Freaking gorgeous pieces from ECE. can't wait to get my spindles. The extra benefit is that they are 12" rotors, not the 10" found in some of the kits. Massive freaking rotors.

I'll post pics of the upgrade when I have all the parts.

sounds good but already bought spindel for 70-87
and i have an assit power steering. which i dont really need to upgrade
that front 84 clip i have need to be overhauled i need to buy every for it
on top of that i still need adapter for the power steering and for the power brake boosterplus..its adding up!

[CVA59]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

I did get around to measuring a couple of front suspensions. Bear in mind that these were both 'unloaded' suspensions, so the actual width in the driving position will be slightly wider. Plus I couldn't get a real accurate measurement with where they were.

So the '63-'70 C10 front drum brake suspension measures 62" WMS to WMS. The '73-'87 C10 front disc brake suspension measures 63.5". So they appear to be basically the same width as the rear differentials for the respective years.

Thanks for the help Fab. That is the info i was needing. I just wanted to make the front end is the same width as the rear.

[Captainfab]

You might try sending a PM to JGross. I was just looking at a pic of his front steering, and it looks like he may have bought what you're looking for.

Here is where the pic is.......
http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=416069

Originally Posted by Sick5

well i looked every were.i do hope someone can help. im trying to buy this sometime this week

[Sick5]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

You might try sending a PM to JGross. I was just looking at a pic of his front steering, and it looks like he may have bought what you're looking for.

Here is where the pic is.......
http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=416069

well i just sold my spindels and bought the ones on ecc

[old_1966_GMC]

i need help with front suspension. my 66 gmc has 8 lugs drums and im on a really tigth budget i need a simple list of parts to make it a 6 lug.i want to keep my crossmember and control arm other then that i need to find out how to bolt it in. im new to my 66 gmc c1500 3/4 ton first time drum to disc brake swap

real tigth budget i have to grab parts from junk yard piece by piece

[Captainfab]

IMO this would be the most cost effective way for you to get 6 lug front disc brakes. It should be a fairly complete list of parts needed. You should be able to use your C20 lower control arms since the '67-'72's mount differently.

Originally Posted by old_1966_GMC

i need help with front suspension. my 66 gmc has 8 lugs drums and im on a really tigth budget i need a simple list of parts to make it a 6 lug.i want to keep my crossmember and control arm other then that i need to find out how to bolt it in. im new to my 66 gmc c1500 3/4 ton first time drum to disc brake swap

real tigth budget i have to grab parts from junk yard piece by piece

Originally Posted by Captainfab

OK I finally got around to compiling this.
Here is a list of parts and part numbers for converting to 6 lug disc brakes using factory parts. There will likely be updates later to the applications and years, as this here is just what I can confirm at this time.

You will need the following parts from a '88-'98 C1500 or 7200#GVW C2500 pickup or Suburban, or from a Express or Savanah Van thru 2002 in a 1500 or 7200#GVW 2500 model.

Spindles (unless you want dropped spindles)
Rotors (if you find a 7200# GVW 2500 series)
Calipers
Front caliper hoses
Outer tie rods
Tie rod adjusting sleeve
Lower control arm from a C20 (the '67-'72 have shorter bumpstop brackets. The '73-'87's will work, but may need to modify bumpstop bracket depending on rideheight)

Don't forget all the little parts like, spindle nuts and washers, dust caps, nuts, bolts, washers, etc.

The following are part numbers for new or rebuilt parts that can be sourced from your local auto parts store. Some of these are duplicates of the above in case you need new parts instead of good used ones. These part numbers I found online at CSK/O'Reilleys website. I looked these parts up for a '90 C2500 7200#GVW pickup.

Rotors
Raybestos 56915RGS

Outer Bearing
CR bearing BR3

Inner Bearing
CR bearing BR5

Inner Seal
CR seal 19984

Inner Tie Rod
McQuay-Norris ES2020L

Outer Tie Rod
McQuay-Norris ES2836RL

Tie Rod Adjusting Sleeve
McQuay-Norris ES2004S

Unloaded Calipers
Cardone 184299 (R)
Cardone 184300 (L)

Loaded Calipers
Cardone 154299 (R)
Cardone 154300 (L)

Semi-Metalic brake pads
Brake Best MKD369 (cheapest)
Brake Best SM369 (next best)

There are many brake pads to choose from. It just depends what you want performance wise and budget wise.

Front Hoses
Brake Best BH177760 (L)
Brake Best BH177761 (R)

Raybestos BH38620 (L)
Raybestos BH38621 (R)

Upper Ball Joint
McQuay-Norris FA1616

Moog K6292

Lower Ball Joint
McQuay-Norris FA1617

Moog K6293


I think that about covers it. If you find any errors, let me know and I'll correct it in this post. If you have anything to add, post up.

[old_1966_GMC]

ive just search each part number and some were incorrect part numbers and the rest were exact parts listed

[Captainfab]

OOOOk, which ones are you saying are incorrect part numbers?

Originally Posted by old_1966_GMC

ive just search each part number and some were incorrect part numbers and the rest were exact parts listed

[old_1966_GMC]

the only one i think was the inner and utter beaaring a seal br3 and 5 with to brake shoes and 19984 inner seal went to another part but the rest were ok

[Captainfab]

Well I just looked this up again, and of course O'Reilly's have changed to their brands of parts. All of these part numbers were for the brand of parts that were on the site when they were CSK. So since they no longer carry CR seals, I couldn't verify that part number, but I can check on that tomorrow. As for the bearings, it still shows a set #5 for the inner and a set #3 for the outer. The only difference is the prefix has changed to a 'A' from a 'BR' due to the brand change.

[old_1966_GMC]

thanks captain

[Captainfab]

I checked on that part number for the seal, and that is the correct one.