Suburban disc conversion question
 

Hello, I'm fairly new to the 67-72 year trucks. We own a very nice completely original 41k mile 1969 Suburban with front and rear power drum brakes. The rears are the standard size 2" shoes, the fronts are the 2 3/4" look like heavy duty drums.

I am wanting to do a 6 lug disc conversion, but am unsure if the heavy duty brake/spindle/ball joint combo measures the same as the standard 2" truck size. For those who have done this conversion, am I able to just order a spindle, rotor and caliper kit and mount the new spindle on my existing ball joints? Or will I have to order a complete kit with new upper and lower control arms with the compatible ball joint size?

Any help is appreciated, pic of truck attached. Thanks in advance.

Re: Suburban disc conversion question
 

They make conversion spindles for the 63-70 drum brake trucks that will bolt onto your existing ball joints and outer tie rods.
These spindles use 71-87 HD (1.25”) rotors, bearings and calipers.
Look at companies like ProPertormance in AZ. They know these trucks. They don’t just sell parts like other companies.

Re: Suburban disc conversion question
 

They can also help you get the correct master cylinder and proportioning valve and rubber brake hoses.

Re: Suburban disc conversion question
 

Do you know if the HD brakes used a different spindle and ball joints than the regular drums?

Re: Suburban disc conversion question
 

Drum brake spindles are for drum brakes only.
I’ve never hear of 2 different drum brake spindles, so I would say no.

You won’t be using them if you go to a common disc brake conversion.
You will be buying new spindles.

Re: Suburban disc conversion question
 

The answer is yes. I just did this on my 69. I used the POL kit with Wilwood D52 and 12” brake rotors. Spindle bolted right up to the stock ball joints and tie rods.

Your answer to the ball joints and tie rods is no. They are same size as the factory c10. On the burb only the drum brakes them selves are “heavy duty 2-3/4”.

Re: Suburban disc conversion question
 

Just curious, were you able to run the stock 16" wheels in your application? I swapped to the Wilwood D52s on my '72 C20 and found that the 16 inch wheels rubbed and had to go to a 17" wheel to clear.

Re: Suburban disc conversion question
 

I didn’t have the stock wheels. The aftermarket 15” wheels had about 2mm of radial clearance on the caliper. Plenty of backspace. I went with a 17” US Wheel steelie and have plenty of clearance. I did need 1.5” spacers in the rear with 5.5” backspacing to clear the wheel well. With the narrow axle of the 69 turns out the spacer aligned the front and rear wheels perfectly.

Re: Suburban disc conversion question
 

Pic.

Re: Suburban disc conversion question
 

Thanks!! Looks real sharp, I wish they offered the 17 inch steelies in the 8 lug pattern....I may need to give them a call.

Re: Suburban disc conversion question
 

The wheels are welded half’s so I bet they can. The US wheel folks are great but they only take orders from dealers. I used summit racing who worked with me to translate a special order.

Re: Suburban disc conversion question
 

good to know, thanks!