convert 69 c20 drums to disc front? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

scottmitchellrose · 03-16-2021, 01:26 PM

I have a 69 C 20 I want to convert to disc? Any idea what I need/ where to go (new or junkyards)? 8 lug obviously... Thanks for any advice,
Scott

**Steeveedee** · 03-16-2021, 02:23 PM

Easiest for all the fit is to snag one from an existing vehicle. Everything will be there for the taking, hopefully. There will be little to no guessing about where things go, especially if you take some photos first. I bought a kit but had problems with it- damaged and missing parts The other aspect of it is that when (if) you ever go to the parts store, you will know the year of the truck. My truck has the original crossmember, so the attach point for the brake hoses is at the rear, and the disc brake lines extend to the front. It's a minor thing, but still annoying. If you don't have a way to support the engine, swapping crossmembers might be a problem. A used crossmember would also be a LOT cheaper. Take everything from the booster on down, if you go that way.

scottmitchellrose · 03-16-2021, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

Easiest for all the fit is to snag one from an existing vehicle. Everything will be there for the taking, hopefully. There will be little to no guessing about where things go, especially if you take some photos first. I bought a kit but had problems with it- damaged and missing parts The other aspect of it is that when (if) you ever go to the parts store, you will know the year of the truck. My truck has the original crossmember, so the attach point for the brake hoses is at the rear, and the disc brake lines extend to the front. It's a minor thing, but still annoying. If you don't have a way to support the engine, swapping crossmembers might be a problem. A used crossmember would also be a LOT cheaper. Take everything from the booster on down, if you go that way.

Thanks! Any advice on what year (s) would work best for an 8 lug?

Myself · 03-16-2021, 02:41 PM

Can't you just swap the squarebody stuff over like a 1/2 ton?

**BigBird05** · 03-16-2021, 03:16 PM

Get a donor truck, 73 to 84 and take the whole front end and brake parts off of it and maybe even the rear axle.

**Sheepdip** · 03-16-2021, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottmitchellrose

Thanks! Any advice on what year (s) would work best for an 8 lug?

73-87 A arms out will bolt right on.

**BigBird05** · 03-16-2021, 03:25 PM

If you go to disc, your drum brakes rims may not fit. I know that is the case for 15" drum brake rims.

Big Kev-O · 03-16-2021, 03:35 PM

If you find a donor car, make sure to get all of the steering components too. The center link on the 67-70, 71-72 & 73up are all different. They use different tie rods. Keep in mind any donor you find is probably going to need new ball joints & tie rods anyways. You will also need to swap the brake master cylinder and proportioning/metering valve as well.

There is a way to use 71-72 C20 disc spindles with your 68 center steering link but you will need to use 68 outer tie rods on the inside position with special tie rod adapters and 71-72 outer tie rods to connect the spindle.

There is a pretty detailed thread on the using 71-72 C20 spindles thread here:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=804757

**BigBird05** · 03-16-2021, 03:37 PM

Big Kev-O, I don't think he can use parts. off of a donor car. LOL

**LockDoc** · 03-16-2021, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottmitchellrose

I have a 69 C 20 I want to convert to disc? Any idea what I need/ where to go (new or junkyards)? 8 lug obviously... Thanks for any advice,
Scott

This is a pretty comprehensive conversion thread.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

LockDoc

scottmitchellrose · 03-16-2021, 04:36 PM

Thanks to all! I may know of a 73-87 donor here in Durham NC.

May70 · 03-16-2021, 08:07 PM

Big Kev beat me to my old thread. I would suggest reading it completely, most importantly post #10.

A lot of mis-information in some threads on the forums.

hounddogs! · 03-16-2021, 11:10 PM

One more thread to add to the pile..

This shows how I supported the motor from the top and pulled the loaded crossmember out from under it.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=587600

'71 parts went back in.

Andy4639 · 03-18-2021, 08:19 AM

My thread's on swapping in a full 86 disc front end in my C-20 Ramp truck.
I'm looking for a disc brake rear end now for it.

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...=725462&page=2

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=809465

03-16-2021, 02:23 PM	#2
Steeveedee Who Changed This? Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Simi Valley, CA Posts: 10,230	Re: convert 69 c20 drums to disc front? Easiest for all the fit is to snag one from an existing vehicle. Everything will be there for the taking, hopefully. There will be little to no guessing about where things go, especially if you take some photos first. I bought a kit but had problems with it- damaged and missing parts The other aspect of it is that when (if) you ever go to the parts store, you will know the year of the truck. My truck has the original crossmember, so the attach point for the brake hoses is at the rear, and the disc brake lines extend to the front. It's a minor thing, but still annoying. If you don't have a way to support the engine, swapping crossmembers might be a problem. A used crossmember would also be a LOT cheaper. Take everything from the booster on down, if you go that way. __________________ ~Steven '70 Chevy 3/4T Longhorn CST 402/400/3.56 Custom Camper Simi Valley, CA

03-16-2021, 02:41 PM	#4
Myself Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Northern Arkansas Posts: 1,130	Re: convert 69 c20 drums to disc front? Can't you just swap the squarebody stuff over like a 1/2 ton?

03-16-2021, 03:16 PM	#5
BigBird05 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Cheraw Posts: 1,305	Re: convert 69 c20 drums to disc front? Get a donor truck, 73 to 84 and take the whole front end and brake parts off of it and maybe even the rear axle.

03-16-2021, 03:25 PM	#7
BigBird05 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Cheraw Posts: 1,305	Re: convert 69 c20 drums to disc front? If you go to disc, your drum brakes rims may not fit. I know that is the case for 15" drum brake rims.

03-16-2021, 03:35 PM	#8
Big Kev-O Registered User Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Simi, CA Posts: 495	Re: convert 69 c20 drums to disc front? If you find a donor car, make sure to get all of the steering components too. The center link on the 67-70, 71-72 & 73up are all different. They use different tie rods. Keep in mind any donor you find is probably going to need new ball joints & tie rods anyways. You will also need to swap the brake master cylinder and proportioning/metering valve as well. There is a way to use 71-72 C20 disc spindles with your 68 center steering link but you will need to use 68 outer tie rods on the inside position with special tie rod adapters and 71-72 outer tie rods to connect the spindle. There is a pretty detailed thread on the using 71-72 C20 spindles thread here: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=804757 __________________ Made in America by Americans Last edited by Big Kev-O; 03-17-2021 at 01:30 PM. Reason: I think all 3/4 ton C20s 67-87 all have steel bushing control arm cross shafts.

03-16-2021, 01:26 PM	#1
scottmitchellrose Registered User Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: durham nc Posts: 124	convert 69 c20 drums to disc front? I have a 69 C 20 I want to convert to disc? Any idea what I need/ where to go (new or junkyards)? 8 lug obviously... Thanks for any advice, Scott

03-16-2021, 03:37 PM	#9
BigBird05 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Cheraw Posts: 1,305	Re: convert 69 c20 drums to disc front? Big Kev-O, I don't think he can use parts. off of a donor car. LOL

03-16-2021, 04:36 PM	#11
scottmitchellrose Registered User Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: durham nc Posts: 124	Re: convert 69 c20 drums to disc front? Thanks to all! I may know of a 73-87 donor here in Durham NC.

03-16-2021, 08:07 PM	#12
May70 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Hampton Roads VA Posts: 644	Re: convert 69 c20 drums to disc front? Big Kev beat me to my old thread. I would suggest reading it completely, most importantly post #10. A lot of mis-information in some threads on the forums. __________________ 70 C20 Build link : Project Montezuma http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=794479 How to repair that rusted out 67-72 c10-c30! Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/c/MaycoCustomRestorations

03-16-2021, 11:10 PM	#13
hounddogs! Restoring it $200 at a time... Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: NE Kansas Posts: 886	Re: convert 69 c20 drums to disc front? One more thread to add to the pile.. This shows how I supported the motor from the top and pulled the loaded crossmember out from under it. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=587600 '71 parts went back in. __________________ Charter member of the 'Put the dimmer switch back on the damn floor where it belongs' Society '68 5.3L-4 speed LWB C20; grandpa bought it for the farm in '71. Now LS 5.3, rather than 327. DD '09 Pilot Weekender '65 Skylark 300-4V-4 speed Wife's '07 Lexus ES350; 117 actuator motors and I can't see the engine. Son's '04 F250 SuperCab 6.0

03-18-2021, 08:19 AM	#14
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,936	Re: convert 69 c20 drums to disc front? My thread's on swapping in a full 86 disc front end in my C-20 Ramp truck. I'm looking for a disc brake rear end now for it. https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...=725462&page=2 https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=809465 __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.



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