1970 k10 k20 front disc conversion

[bris-k20]

Okay first and foremost, yes I know how to use the search button. I’ve searched and searched and searched for the past year, but I still have some questions. If I managed to miss these answers in other posts then I apologize.

1970 k20, D44 open knuckle manual drums. Two options, find a donor from 71 and up and complete swap, or find donor and swap knuckle out. From my research easiest is doing complete swap. BUT, what if, as in my situation, know that the front axle is in good/working shape. Brakes are even actually in good shape, but I’ve already done conversion on rear(HO52, couldn’t find drums so did disc conversion from ruff stuff).i already have a complete donor from a 73’ k20.

So my two questions. I don’t know the history of this donor axle, other then it sat on a Pallet outside a barn for however long. It still had fluid in it, which from research is better then one without fluid. But I’m going to want to go through and do new ball joints, calipers, etc. if I’m going to tear it down to do ball joints, isn’t that about how far you have to go to do the “knuckle out” swap? I could be wrong, this is the first time jumping in this pool. But if I’m going to be tearing it down that far would it just be as easy to do the knuckle out swap on to an axle I know is good/ working condition?

Second question. Donor axle has the larger hubs. From what little I’ve seen these are better? But if I were to do the “knuckle out” swap, would it still work? Or do I have to swap actual axles? I looked this evening(truck is at a buddies house while we rebuild the motor) and it seemed it was just the actual hub part was the difference, the part of the axle it bolts to seemed the same size(just from eyeballing).

So long story short, which is the best route? What have y’all done? I haven’t seen any details on any swaps other then people say “swap the whole axle”. And this post is partly to help any others now and future to reference to for knowledge. I know there’s already a current post of k10 disc converison, just didn’t want to hijack that thread, and plenty others covering the basics. Just hoping for some more detailed responses. Thanks for your time.

[kwmech]

Knuckle out swap is the easiest. Parts donation can go up as far as 1991 minus the inner shaft. Inner shaft up to 77 with the Dana 44. Inner shaft will be needed b'cuz of the u-joint. '70 has the smaller 260 joint where as 72 up had the larger which continued up to 1991--(suburban and blazer square body)

[special-K]

Don't worry, we don't hammer other members for asking a question already asked/answered. This is THE place to get the RIGHT information AND conversation on these trucks on the internet. DH behavior like wasted replies with "Use search" when they could have offered help is frowned upon by the good people of this site.

Knuckle swap will be easier than full unit swap since you are going in that far and because you KNOW you have every part needed with the '73 unit. I'd say you are headed in the right direction. Other than some double dismantle labor, the job is as easy as just doing ball-joints

I have a complete '70 K/20 Dana44 I am considering the same thing on (spare sitting loose) or just keep for spare parts or a replacement for a '70 staying original. I have no disc brake donor, so I'm letting it marinade

[bris-k20]

Thanks for the replies. I greatly appreciate it. I think I’ll follow y’all advice and do the knuckle out. I don’t mind the labor part. At this point I see it as a learning experience. Any knowledge I can gain I’ll do what needs to be done. Plus I have a 6yr old daughter that i can’t do anything to the truck without her there. She absolutely loves getting dirty and being apart of the work and learning, which I absolutely love it she’s so involved. But for the most part we’re keeping it as original as possible, minus some safety and reliability upgrades. She’s already said it’s hers, so I guess I got 10 years to get it right for her! Thanks again for your advice.

[57taskforce]

Another thing is we really like pictures around here!!

[bris-k20]

Haha my bad, I knew that was the number one rule! After I bought it I joined this site, which later I found that I had bought it from member joesjunk. These are from the day I brought it home. Long story short, in high school me and dad had a 72 c10 we worked on. He passed in 05, mom didn’t want the truck around so it was sold. Well my daughter has this picture of gampy that she keeps on her nightstand. Although they never met, she always talks about him and has conversations with him through the picture. So the day I got it home, I ran in to get her. She came out, looked, didn’t say a word and ran inside. At first I was bummed, cause I thought she’d be excited. Well turns out, she ran inside to get this picture she has, came back out, and yelled it’s gampys truck! Talk about melting your heart. So from then on, it’s called “gampy’s truck” and when she’s 16 it’s hers to drive.

[57taskforce]

You did good. That is a nice looking hunk of iron. Joe has quite the reputation for nice trucks around here and I’m sure this one is no different.

[jeffahart]

I'd grease and oil the 73 Axle and run it for a bit. You can pull the residual pressure valve on the front reservoir to test run it for a couple weeks. You have the drop in axle, drop it in.


j