70 C20 4x4 front brake drums - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jmrobertson30 · 03-16-2019, 03:35 AM

HI,
I'm looking for some brake drums for my 70 4x4. They are 8 lug drums and I can't find them anywhere. I was told if I found a 71 and got everything from the knuckles out, I could convert front end to disc brakes. Any suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Jeff

B. W. · 03-16-2019, 01:08 PM

I don't believe front drums are available. I converted my '70 K20 to disc but I used a complete donor axle from a '71. I believe you just need the parts from the knuckle out but am not sure.

It may be just as cheap to buy a complete disc D44. GM put them under square bodies until the mid '70's. The bonus with the later 44's is you get the larger axle u-joints.

**HO455** · 03-16-2019, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B. W.

I don't believe front drums are available. I converted my '70 K20 to disc but I used a complete donor axle from a '71. I believe you just need the parts from the knuckle out but am not sure.

It may be just as cheap to buy a complete disc D44. GM put them under square bodies until the mid '70's. The bonus with the later 44's is you get the larger axle u-joints.

And a better turning radius.

**kwmech** · 03-16-2019, 03:35 PM

1971 to 1976 will work

jmrobertson30 · 03-16-2019, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B. W.

I don't believe front drums are available. I converted my '70 K20 to disc but I used a complete donor axle from a '71. I believe you just need the parts from the knuckle out but am not sure.

It may be just as cheap to buy a complete disc D44. GM put them under square bodies until the mid '70's. The bonus with the later 44's is you get the larger axle u-joints.

Did you just find your donor axle from a junk yard? And what is a complete disc D44?

Thank you all for your suggestions and help.

B. W. · 03-16-2019, 11:27 PM

I used the axle from a 71 gmc K25. I have the whole truck, I've just about stripped all of the good parts off of it. (bought 2 worn out trucks to make one worn out truck!)

What I meant by a complete disc D44 is just the whole axle. I've seen them for sale pretty cheap ($100) but it depends on condition, etc.

**HO455** · 03-17-2019, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmrobertson30

Did you just find your donor axle from a junk yard? And what is a complete disc D44?.

D=Dana. The manufacturer. 44 is the model.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dana_44

You would be looking for an open knuckle disc brake version. From a 1971 to 1975 Chevy/ GMC truck, Blazer or Suburban.

El Dorado Jim · 03-20-2019, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmrobertson30

HI,
I'm looking for some brake drums for my 70 4x4. They are 8 lug drums and I can't find them anywhere. I was told if I found a 71 and got everything from the knuckles out, I could convert front end to disc brakes. Any suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Jeff

yes, you can just change from the knuckles out, I did this on a 70 gmc Jimmy i had, but i also had to use the axles too, I had a complete front housing at the time so I had all the parts, I didnt just change complete housings, because they were different axle ratios...

**Furno68C20** · 03-23-2019, 08:27 AM

I Just converted my 68 c20 to front disc. I have the old drums and knuckles 8 lug.

**Ol Blue K20** · 03-23-2019, 11:23 AM

I have a 72 Dana 44 HD that I'm getting ready to put ont the parts board.

Hotcorner · 03-23-2019, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B. W.

I don't believe front drums are available. I converted my '70 K20 to disc but I used a complete donor axle from a '71. I believe you just need the parts from the knuckle out but am not sure.

It may be just as cheap to buy a complete disc D44. GM put them under square bodies until the mid '70's. The bonus with the later 44's is you get the larger axle u-joints.

What? The drums are unavailable for a D44?
Posted via Mobile Device

B. W. · 03-24-2019, 11:35 AM

'70 was a "one year only" open knuckle, drum brake. Guess the drums are different from '69 back? Just looked on Rock Auto, no front drums listed for a 70. Front drums listed for a 69 but out of stock.

palallin · 03-24-2019, 04:12 PM

Before this conclusion becomes Internet Truth, does anyone have '69 drums and '70 drums to compare? Rock Auto's listings are not infallible.

B. W. · 03-24-2019, 07:17 PM

That would be good to know. The 69 & 70's do share the same brake shoes & wheel cylinders (CQ shows 69 has a standard & HD wheel cylinder, 70 only lists a HD)

I would think the only difference in the drums (if there is a difference) would be the center bore. Or, maybe the mounting surface is a different height?

03-16-2019, 03:35 AM	#1
jmrobertson30 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 2	70 C20 4x4 front brake drums HI, I'm looking for some brake drums for my 70 4x4. They are 8 lug drums and I can't find them anywhere. I was told if I found a 71 and got everything from the knuckles out, I could convert front end to disc brakes. Any suggestions or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Jeff

03-16-2019, 01:08 PM	#2
B. W. Registered User Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Bigfork, Montana Posts: 1,137	Re: 70 C20 4x4 front brake drums I don't believe front drums are available. I converted my '70 K20 to disc but I used a complete donor axle from a '71. I believe you just need the parts from the knuckle out but am not sure. It may be just as cheap to buy a complete disc D44. GM put them under square bodies until the mid '70's. The bonus with the later 44's is you get the larger axle u-joints.

03-16-2019, 03:35 PM	#4
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,389	Re: 70 C20 4x4 front brake drums 1971 to 1976 will work

03-16-2019, 11:27 PM	#6
B. W. Registered User Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Bigfork, Montana Posts: 1,137	Re: 70 C20 4x4 front brake drums I used the axle from a 71 gmc K25. I have the whole truck, I've just about stripped all of the good parts off of it. (bought 2 worn out trucks to make one worn out truck!) What I meant by a complete disc D44 is just the whole axle. I've seen them for sale pretty cheap ($100) but it depends on condition, etc.

03-23-2019, 08:27 AM	#9
Furno68C20 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Somonauk IL Posts: 319	Re: 70 C20 4x4 front brake drums I Just converted my 68 c20 to front disc. I have the old drums and knuckles 8 lug.

03-23-2019, 11:23 AM	#10
Ol Blue K20 Proprietor of Dale's Corner Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Vacaville , CA Posts: 15,834	Re: 70 C20 4x4 front brake drums I have a 72 Dana 44 HD that I'm getting ready to put ont the parts board. __________________ "Some Days Chickens And Some Days Feathers" Dale XNGH ECV Sam Brannan 1004 R.I.P. 67ChevyRedneck R.I.P. Grumpy Old Man

03-24-2019, 11:35 AM	#12
B. W. Registered User Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Bigfork, Montana Posts: 1,137	Re: 70 C20 4x4 front brake drums '70 was a "one year only" open knuckle, drum brake. Guess the drums are different from '69 back? Just looked on Rock Auto, no front drums listed for a 70. Front drums listed for a 69 but out of stock.

03-24-2019, 04:12 PM	#13
palallin Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: St. James, MO Posts: 1,239	Re: 70 C20 4x4 front brake drums Before this conclusion becomes Internet Truth, does anyone have '69 drums and '70 drums to compare? Rock Auto's listings are not infallible. __________________ '69 Longstep K-10: 327/SM465/T-221/Closed Knuckle Dana44/12-bolt.

03-24-2019, 07:17 PM	#14
B. W. Registered User Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Bigfork, Montana Posts: 1,137	Re: 70 C20 4x4 front brake drums That would be good to know. The 69 & 70's do share the same brake shoes & wheel cylinders (CQ shows 69 has a standard & HD wheel cylinder, 70 only lists a HD) I would think the only difference in the drums (if there is a difference) would be the center bore. Or, maybe the mounting surface is a different height?



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