disc brake swap-never noticed...

[robertwb]

all the articles and posts I've read about swapping to disc brakes on pre 71 trucks I don't remember any of them saying anything about having to re-do the hard lines because the fittings are different sizes

anybody know if there's a line that will work without re-plumbing the crossmember?

my truck is a 70-the parts came off a 71 or 72-I don't really know it was just a bare frame

I'd search the old posts,but...you know

[Tx Firefighter]

I ran into the same deal on my 70 truck when I swapped it to discs.

I found the easiest way was to call Early Classic Enterprises. They sell a pair of brake hoses that fit the stock drum brake hard lines and the disc brake caliper on the other end. Cost 60 per pair. Straight bolt on deal.

[Grim Reaper]

Orr if your really cheap like me then you go down to the parts store and look through the catalogs till you fins a brake line with the fitings you need.

A 79 Chevette front brake line will work on a GM truck front caliper or a Cadilac 76-79 rear caliper with parking brake with minor grinding on the banjo fitting. The other end will connect right to the hard line.

[Grim Reaper]

Ohh yeah...it was about $35 for the PAIR.

[robertwb]

thanks guys-what about the drag link-it's the only part I need now

so far it looks like it MUST be a 71/72 part?

I was thinking about using a later model (73-82) part-but the pitman arm is different-I know the idler arms are interchangeable as well as steering boxes ?maybe I could use the outer tie rod ends I have from the 71 with the inners from 73+and change the pitman arm too 73+ also- would this work?-I'm trying to do this cheap and the local yards are stripped of 71/72 parts

[robertwb]

thanks Grim-Reaper those 'vette parts worked great

I also found a drag link for $20-now it's all done

thanks again guys

[Grim Reaper]

Originally Posted by robertwb

thanks Grim-Reaper those 'vette parts worked great

I also found a drag link for $20-now it's all done

thanks again guys

No problem. The hard part about a lot of that stuff is finding sombody that knows how to operate the treewear manuals. Older NAPA they still have them but finding that info at Auto zone is impossible. Old parts store by me called Main Auto has a few older hot rodder types and they have plenty of well worn and greasy catalogs that tell you fitting size and have a actuall picture. That's where I matched the ends on those.

I also have a 28 inch long rear brake line on my trail truck. Ith as 6 inches of lift and real soft droopy suspension. I have to chain the axle to the frame to jack it from the bumper with a 48 inch hilift. The guys at the muffler shop were getting a good laugh when they went to lift it up to put new tail pipes on it. The had both fron wheels over a foot off the ground before the rear came up. The roof would have been about 8ft 8. sitting on level ground it's 7ft 2. Any tire on the truck can be lifted about 36 inches before any other tire will lift off the ground. LOTS of wheel travel.

Found a front disc brake line off of something like a Citation will screw right into the fitting on the standard rear brake line and has nearily identical end to connect to the hard line on the frame so $12 for a 14inch line extension to make a 28 inch rear line.

[lolife99]

I am in the process of rebuilding the front end of my '71 2wd Blazer. If I had it to do over,... I would use all 73-up stuff. I am having trouble getting the correct control arm shaft and bushing assemblies. (parts missing, wrong parts in correct box, wrong parts ordered, etc.) I am on vacation this week and waiting till Wednesday for the CORRECT parts to come in. Next time it will be readily available 73-up EVERYTHING. A-arm, steering box, brakes and steering parts. Sorry to vent. Too much to do,... to be sitting on my a** waiting for old parts that no one has ever heard of.