Closed knuck D44 drum to disc - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

vectorit · 07-14-2011, 04:42 PM

Has anyone ever done this?
I found a place that sells the conversion kit, and it requires moving of the lower shock mount in and machining the OD of the hub.

Looking for first hand experience on this, since I am entertaining the idea of converting all four corners to disc.

jbclassix · 07-14-2011, 10:06 PM

Done it with Junk Yard parts! It's just as easy to change axles, but if you want to stay original, it is possible.

You need the following parts off a 71+ disc axle (10b parts work too)
backing plates
spindles
hubs with discs

If you find an early set with the external hubs, you can re-use your originals.

The trick is the calipers. The GM ones wont clear the knuckle. I need to find the ones that work, I cant remember off the top of my head. You can look for GM, Dodge, or Jeep parts for what you will need.

I will see if I can dig up what I used.

blakeduren · 07-14-2011, 11:07 PM

If you change everything from the knuckles out, you can use all factory parts. The stub shafts however, no not have to be changed.
The Knuckles have a rotated spindle mounting pattern that will mess with the caliper mounting angle if you don't change the knuckles.

Change it all over with dana 44 stuff and no one will know the difference.

Vintage Windmills · 07-17-2011, 09:16 PM

subscribed

m6z · 07-25-2011, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vintage Windmills

subscribed

me too.

Redcap · 07-25-2011, 11:07 AM

I would just swap out the entire axle.

6T8 · 07-26-2011, 07:52 AM

I agree, just swapped my 68 with a 73 44 in one morning. If your worried about staying original disc brakes are not original any way. Keep the axle in case you want to restore original later. I just upgraded my 68 panel K10 to 4 speed ps pb so it is alot nicer for daily driving. Good luck........Rick

msgross · 07-26-2011, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redcap

I would just swap out the entire axle.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6T8

I agree, just swapped my 68 with a 73 44 in one morning. If your worried about staying original disc brakes are not original any way. Keep the axle in case you want to restore original later. I just upgraded my 68 panel K10 to 4 speed ps pb so it is alot nicer for daily driving. Good luck........Rick

ditto... even a 10bolt fits...

m6z · 07-26-2011, 08:31 AM

I realize this is a bit off topic, but won't the rear axles from the 73+ a bolt in as well?

6T8 · 07-27-2011, 01:23 PM

I think the perches would have to be moved outward. Spring mounts were different I believe.....Rick

jbclassix · 07-29-2011, 05:23 PM

I'm back. I'm calling my buddy out in Cali about the 44 today!

vectorit · 07-29-2011, 05:40 PM

Yes, newer axles bolt right in.

In fact, I have a set I could easily drop in. Though the front is a 10 bolt, and is currently running automatic hubs that need swapping for manuals.

This 10 bolt, and the corp 14 FF I have came out of a 67 burb project that got parted.

I would rather keep my original gear.
If my burb was a DD I would be swapping to newer axles and be done with it, but where is the fun in that?

b454rat · 07-30-2011, 10:33 AM

Here's one way, but I'd rather swap the whole axle out...

http://www.blackbirdscustomtrucks.co....html#balldisc

jbclassix · 10-28-2011, 12:33 AM

Dead thread resurrection!!!!! I found the calipers we used to do a closed knuckle swap! Now that it's all coming back to me, doing this on a GM may not be cost effective. If you have all the parts and the axle out of the truck you can have the gears swapped out for around 250. I had a set of gears installed at Oceanside Driveline for 250.

Howe Racing calipers

Another point is These pistons are not recommended for high way use. The calipers clear the ball of the closed knuckle because they are dual piston, factory GM calipers are to large in the center.

07-14-2011, 04:42 PM	#1
vectorit What? Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,617	Closed knuck D44 drum to disc Has anyone ever done this? I found a place that sells the conversion kit, and it requires moving of the lower shock mount in and machining the OD of the hub. Looking for first hand experience on this, since I am entertaining the idea of converting all four corners to disc. __________________ Chris 1968 K20 Suburban 1972 K10 LWB PU

07-14-2011, 10:06 PM	#2
jbclassix Junk Yartist Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Greeley, CO Posts: 2,203	Re: Closed knuck D44 drum to disc Done it with Junk Yard parts! It's just as easy to change axles, but if you want to stay original, it is possible. You need the following parts off a 71+ disc axle (10b parts work too) backing plates spindles hubs with discs If you find an early set with the external hubs, you can re-use your originals. The trick is the calipers. The GM ones wont clear the knuckle. I need to find the ones that work, I cant remember off the top of my head. You can look for GM, Dodge, or Jeep parts for what you will need. I will see if I can dig up what I used. __________________ -Jeremy YOU ONLY FAIL IF YOU STOP TRYING 70 Crew Cab Build Link 70 GMC Suburban 4X4 build thread 95 Yukon Daily Driver Rebuilding an NP205

07-14-2011, 11:07 PM	#3
blakeduren Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 192	Re: Closed knuck D44 drum to disc If you change everything from the knuckles out, you can use all factory parts. The stub shafts however, no not have to be changed. The Knuckles have a rotated spindle mounting pattern that will mess with the caliper mounting angle if you don't change the knuckles. Change it all over with dana 44 stuff and no one will know the difference.

07-17-2011, 09:16 PM	#4
Vintage Windmills Vintage 4x4s Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Prior Lake, MN Posts: 4,305	Re: Closed knuck D44 drum to disc subscribed __________________ 67 GMC K1500 Custom- 305V6 SM420, PTO, Ram Assist, yellow (the outcast) (project period correct upgrades) 67 GMC C2500 351V6 TH400, AC, PS, PB (can't decide what to do with. Update, decided to keep and will restore ) 86 CHV K30 502 th400, apple red NEW 71 CHV K20 350 SM465, ochre (saved work truck) 71 CHV K20 292 SM465, white, tach, PTO, (future project) 72 CHV K20 350 350th, medium blue (project stocker) 01 CHV K2500hd crew, indigo blue ^3 dont run and the others don't see winter either '86 K30 Cummins "Fireside" thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=649649 '71 K20 "get driveable" thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=590642 '72 K20 Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=493477&page=6

07-25-2011, 11:07 AM	#6
Redcap Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lewis County, WA Posts: 1,523	Re: Closed knuck D44 drum to disc I would just swap out the entire axle.

07-26-2011, 07:52 AM	#7
6T8 Active Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 233	Re: Closed knuck D44 drum to disc I agree, just swapped my 68 with a 73 44 in one morning. If your worried about staying original disc brakes are not original any way. Keep the axle in case you want to restore original later. I just upgraded my 68 panel K10 to 4 speed ps pb so it is alot nicer for daily driving. Good luck........Rick

07-26-2011, 08:31 AM	#9
m6z Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Pittsburg, KS Posts: 2,466	Re: Closed knuck D44 drum to disc I realize this is a bit off topic, but won't the rear axles from the 73+ a bolt in as well? __________________ Doug Looking for a 67-72 short bed driver.....

07-27-2011, 01:23 PM	#10
6T8 Active Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 233	Re: Closed knuck D44 drum to disc I think the perches would have to be moved outward. Spring mounts were different I believe.....Rick

07-29-2011, 05:23 PM	#11
jbclassix Junk Yartist Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Greeley, CO Posts: 2,203	Re: Closed knuck D44 drum to disc I'm back. I'm calling my buddy out in Cali about the 44 today! __________________ -Jeremy YOU ONLY FAIL IF YOU STOP TRYING 70 Crew Cab Build Link 70 GMC Suburban 4X4 build thread 95 Yukon Daily Driver Rebuilding an NP205

07-29-2011, 05:40 PM	#12
vectorit What? Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,617	Re: Closed knuck D44 drum to disc Yes, newer axles bolt right in. In fact, I have a set I could easily drop in. Though the front is a 10 bolt, and is currently running automatic hubs that need swapping for manuals. This 10 bolt, and the corp 14 FF I have came out of a 67 burb project that got parted. I would rather keep my original gear. If my burb was a DD I would be swapping to newer axles and be done with it, but where is the fun in that? __________________ Chris 1968 K20 Suburban 1972 K10 LWB PU

07-30-2011, 10:33 AM	#13
b454rat Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Binghamton, NY Posts: 3,454	Re: Closed knuck D44 drum to disc Here's one way, but I'd rather swap the whole axle out... http://www.blackbirdscustomtrucks.co....html#balldisc __________________ 2000 GMC CCSB 454/4L80 6” lift SAS 1999 Chevy CCSB 454/NV4500 6” lift 1999 GMC Yukon 350/4L60 4" SAS

10-28-2011, 12:33 AM	#14
jbclassix Junk Yartist Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Greeley, CO Posts: 2,203	Re: Closed knuck D44 drum to disc Dead thread resurrection!!!!! I found the calipers we used to do a closed knuckle swap! Now that it's all coming back to me, doing this on a GM may not be cost effective. If you have all the parts and the axle out of the truck you can have the gears swapped out for around 250. I had a set of gears installed at Oceanside Driveline for 250. Howe Racing calipers Another point is These pistons are not recommended for high way use. The calipers clear the ball of the closed knuckle because they are dual piston, factory GM calipers are to large in the center. __________________ -Jeremy YOU ONLY FAIL IF YOU STOP TRYING 70 Crew Cab Build Link 70 GMC Suburban 4X4 build thread 95 Yukon Daily Driver Rebuilding an NP205



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