Originally Posted by jocko (Post 4082853)

Wow, what a thread. This is a very helpful one. Have seen several comments that discs will not fit the original 6 lug steelies. A couple questions -
1. Can a spacer be used to make the original 6 lugs work with a disc set-up (i.e. I've not tried it yet - where does the interference actually occur between the caliper and the original 6 lug wheel? is it a wheel diameter thing or backspacing thing, etc)
2. Captain Fab, you mentioned aftermarket and later model 6 lugs would work. Which later model 6 lugs? (all 88-up 1500's?) and what company makes stock-appearing steel wheels that will fit discs? (I've looked at stockton and a few others, but seems their stock looking wheels are not quite stock looking - they are missing the air gaps in between the wheel center and rim, at least on some of the wheels I've seen. Seems later model 6 lugs (88-up) were 16 inch rims? So are you saying that aftermarket steel wheels would also need to be 16 inch to work?

I've got 15 inch truck rallies also in addition to the stock steelies, and I'm pretty sure they will work - but I'm going to a bit of effort to just run steelies and poverty caps - looking for the simplest to keep that look yet eventually upgrade to front discs.

Thanks a lot folks, great thread.

Originally Posted by jocko (Post 4083017)

would it be the correct bolt circle? that's a great idea, had not thought of that, but they would clear discs. You might be onto something there.. Seems most of them had rallies on them that I have seen, but I think that's because folks PUT them on afterward in many cases - I know I've seen some K10s with steelies.

Originally Posted by ozman3803 (Post 4084555)

I've looked this over a couple times and maybe still missed it. My 70 2wd has 6 lug disc. On the part swap from 6 to 5, what thickness of 5 lug rotor (1 1/4?) is needed and will this work with the current disc brake caliper?

Originally Posted by laid_out_70 (Post 4097634)

got some c20 questions. i have a 70. what is the required to swap to disc up front and would like to run drop spindles. would just rather swap to 1/2 ton specs but i dont want to search for a rear end. thanks in advance

Originally Posted by Sick5 (Post 4098930)

Nice thread!
i have a 84 full front clip i rather just use the a arms and drop spindels from it
and keep the assit power steering.. is it possible? will the 65 tie rods be a issue hooking up to a new drop spindel

Originally Posted by SCOTI (Post 4099137)

They won't be a direct bolt-up deal. You'll need 73-87 steering parts or the tie-rod adapters previously mentioned to go from 65 to post-73 spindles.

Originally Posted by Sick5 (Post 4100062)

If I use my steering parts will still be able to use the assist or will have to upgrade the steering box

Originally Posted by Sick5 (Post 4100062)

If I use my steering parts will still be able to use the assist or will have to upgrade the steering box

Originally Posted by raycow (Post 4100207)

If you have an external PS cylinder that connects to the center link and want to keep it, you will need to use the aftermarket tie rod adapter sleeves. The alternative would be to find a machine shop that knows how to properly ream the tapered holes in the center link to accept the later tie rod ends.

Ray

Originally Posted by nomrlz (Post 4100716)

so, if this donor 85 truck i have access to has 1" rotors. the front suspension and brakes are useless to me on the 66

Originally Posted by CVA59 (Post 4128887)

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.

Originally Posted by 5264chevytrucks (Post 4128241)

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?

Originally Posted by Sick5 (Post 4133044)

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

Originally Posted by Sick5 (Post 4133366)

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!

Originally Posted by CVA59 (Post 4130356)

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.

Originally Posted by Captainfab (Post 4134895)

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 vivisix (Post 4133389)

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. :metal:

Originally Posted by Captainfab (Post 4134898)

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 Sick5 (Post 4135299)

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

Originally Posted by Captainfab (Post 4136606)

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 old_1966_GMC (Post 4139001)

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 (Post 3619459)

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.