Drum to disk brake conversion on 1967 C20

[Captain X]

I'm curious on the front wheels how much I would have to swap out of a later model pickup to use the stock disc brakes off of them? Could I get away with the spindles or would I have to do the A-frames as well?

I was kind of thinking of using the ones off of a '72, but looking at LMC, it looks like they don't offer the spindles as new parts, and I was also wondering about new bushings. Where should I look for parts like that? Would the local Chevy dealer be able to get something like that for me? Or would I have to go looking in a junkyard for spindles? And what would I do for bushings?

[BigBird05]

Best to score a complete subframe ( front suspension ) from a 73 to 86. It should bolt right in. Get the master cyl and the prop valve with it.

[Madkidd007]

Originally Posted by BigBird05

Best to score a complete subframe ( front suspension ) from a 73 to 86. It should bolt right in. Get the master cyl and the prop valve with it.

Or up to a 91 since he has an 8 lug. Suburban and one rona kept going for four more years past the 87 R10

[BigBird05]

What year did GM go to metric lug nuts?

[Madkidd007]

Originally Posted by BigBird05

What year did GM go to metric lug nuts?

Not till the OBS body style

[Captain X]

Originally Posted by BigBird05

Best to score a complete subframe ( front suspension ) from a 73 to 86. It should bolt right in. Get the master cyl and the prop valve with it.

Any reason for this over one from a '71/'72? I would have thought being from the same generation that they'd have more in common. I mean, provided I could even find one with the option in a local yard.

[BigBird05]

The only reason is parts replacement. 71/72 parts are getting harder to find. I still have my original 72 disc brake set up and plan on keeping it.

[Madkidd007]

Originally Posted by BigBird05

The only reason is parts replacement. 71/72 parts are getting harder to find. I still have my original 72 disc brake set up and plan on keeping it.

That right there is just wrong. They use the same brake pads, calipers interchange for almost 20 years, brake hoses can always be used from a different year if 71/72 can’t be found. Control arms interchange with the difference being bushing type. Lastly what’s the point in hoarding parts if you won’t use them?

[Captain X]

Would it be hard to find bushings for a '72? I suppose one of these days before work I'll just have to call the local Chevy place and see what I can get.

[Madkidd007]

Originally Posted by Captain X

Would it be hard to find bushings for a '72? I suppose one of these days before work I'll just have to call the local Chevy place and see what I can get.

That part is a good question. But if you’re referring to the solid non rubber style. I’ve never seen a set that had enough wear to be considered worn

[Madkidd007]

Originally Posted by Captain X

Would it be hard to find bushings for a '72? I suppose one of these days before work I'll just have to call the local Chevy place and see what I can get.

That part is a good question. But if you’re referring to the solid non rubber style. I’ve never seen a set that had enough wear to be considered worn

[Captain X]

I guess I figured that since I'm stripping everything down to repaint it I might as well put new bushings back in instead of the old ones.

[72c20customcamper]

Originally Posted by Madkidd007

That right there is just wrong. They use the same brake pads, calipers interchange for almost 20 years, brake hoses can always be used from a different year if 71/72 can’t be found. Control arms interchange with the difference being bushing type. Lastly what’s the point in hoarding parts if you won’t use them?

I hoard most parts that come off the car/truck when I upgrade or go aftermarket . I'll be keeping all the front end parts from my 68 drum when i put discs on it . I did the same with my Chevelle drum to disc conversion with tubular a arms. My reason I may in the future may want to go back to totally stock or the next owner will .

[BigBird05]

Its not hording when they are still under the front end of my 72!

[67 twins]

Originally Posted by Madkidd007

That right there is just wrong. They use the same brake pads, calipers interchange for almost 20 years, brake hoses can always be used from a different year if 71/72 can’t be found. Control arms interchange with the difference being bushing type. Lastly what’s the point in hoarding parts if you won’t use them?

This is a C20 he is talking about so the bushings & cross shafts are the same from about 1963 to 1987. They did not change to rubber bushings like the 1/2 ton did.

[Madkidd007]

Originally Posted by 67 twins

This is a C20 he is talking about so the bushings & cross shafts are the same from about 1963 to 1987. They did not change to rubber bushings like the 1/2 ton did.

My bad for speaking in general terms and not specifying, forgot it was a c20 specific thread. And actually the cross shafts are the same up to 91 when they stopped with the one tons.

FYI though I was referring to the difficulty of being able to getting parts when I said that’s wrong

[Raszaron]

For my 64 C20 I ordered from POL in 2016-2017 timeframe for their front disc brake conversion with 2.5" drop spindle... It is currently on the truck, but I am still in the process of getting the truck back together.

That being said, I have also gone to a 2002 2500HD 14bolt with disc brakes, finally got brackets on it and had to have custom u-bolts made to mount it to my CPP trailing arms...

Will hopefully have the truck completed for the 2022 car show season.