Larger brakes? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

LMREESE · 06-26-2015, 07:11 AM

Is it possible to add larger brakes to my 67 c10? I find myself hauling a big load a good bit of the time and our mountains here are are giving my factory brakes a workout. I have never been worried about stopping but on long grades, my brakes are pretty smelly when I get to the bottom.

Mike C · 06-26-2015, 07:55 AM

I assume you still have the factory drums? The factory disc setup is a very good brake system and if your goal is better braking, I would do a 6 lug disc conversion.
Posted via Mobile Device

LMREESE · 06-26-2015, 11:45 AM

Yes currently I have the factory 6 lug drums.

70' · 06-26-2015, 12:15 PM

Yes you can. I just installed a disk conversion kit on my 70 from AZ Pro Performance. Call Travis down there, he knows exactly what you need, but I will warn you, it ain't cheap. I sunk $1700 into my rear disk conversion, and the front is going to be about the same for you. My truck has disk up front already so I'm going to get off a little cheaper than you up front. That being said, you will throw $3500-4000 at it on all 4 corners if you do it right.

LMREESE · 06-26-2015, 04:26 PM

Is it possible to go with larger drum brakes?

**'68OrangeSunshine** · 06-26-2015, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LMREESE

Is it possible to go with larger drum brakes?

Yes. I have a '71 GMC Jimmy 4x4 and the rear end blew out 5 years ago. I pulled the rear off my '67 K/10 Suburban. Both were 3.73. The GMC had larger rear drums with fins. The '67 had unfinned drums -- same as all around on my '68 C/10 Stepside. I changed out the brake shoes to fit the wider drums, used a spare pair of drums for the GMC I had, and it worked good.

Stu Pidd · 06-26-2015, 04:59 PM

I'm thinking about swapping in 8-lug axles from a 3/4 ton to the C-10 just for the bigger brakes. I sometimes tow quite a bit of weight, but don't need the heavy springs/rough ride of a C-20.

I already have the whole front assembly w/discs, so it's just a matter of swapping the front and purchasing & installing a rear axle.

LMREESE · 06-27-2015, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

Yes. I have a '71 GMC Jimmy 4x4 and the rear end blew out 5 years ago. I pulled the rear off my '67 K/10 Suburban. Both were 3.73. The GMC had larger rear drums with fins. The '67 had unfinned drums -- same as all around on my '68 C/10 Stepside. I changed out the brake shoes to fit the wider drums, used a spare pair of drums for the GMC I had, and it worked good.

So all you did was add wider shoes and drums and used the same wheel cylinders and etc?

Mike C · 06-27-2015, 08:11 AM

There is no need to do the rears, they are sufficient in most instances. A front disc conversion will absolutely amaze you and should be able to be done for less than $1000.

My '69 scared me to death to drive around in tight traffic because the drums, but the disc conversion cut the braking distance in half I bet. My rears tended to lock up quickly with the drums, but none of that since the disc conversion.

**'68OrangeSunshine** · 06-27-2015, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LMREESE

So all you did was add wider shoes and drums and used the same wheel cylinders and etc?

Yup.

PanelDeland · 06-27-2015, 07:50 PM

I did front disc conversion for about $1000, with new ball, joints, tie rod ends and drop spindles using all new parts. It's about $600 for spindles and front brakes then another $300 or so to add power and new MC. Your drums are probably overheating on the downgrade causing them to fade.

06-26-2015, 07:11 AM	#1
LMREESE Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Ringgold GA Posts: 149	Larger brakes? Is it possible to add larger brakes to my 67 c10? I find myself hauling a big load a good bit of the time and our mountains here are are giving my factory brakes a workout. I have never been worried about stopping but on long grades, my brakes are pretty smelly when I get to the bottom. __________________ 67 C10 swb bored out 350 granny 4 speed I come from a long line of moonshiners

06-26-2015, 07:55 AM	#2
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,714	Re: Larger brakes? I assume you still have the factory drums? The factory disc setup is a very good brake system and if your goal is better braking, I would do a 6 lug disc conversion. Posted via Mobile Device

06-26-2015, 11:45 AM	#3
LMREESE Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Ringgold GA Posts: 149	Re: Larger brakes? Yes currently I have the factory 6 lug drums. __________________ 67 C10 swb bored out 350 granny 4 speed I come from a long line of moonshiners

06-26-2015, 12:15 PM	#4
70' Registered User Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Dickinson, ND Posts: 197	Re: Larger brakes? Yes you can. I just installed a disk conversion kit on my 70 from AZ Pro Performance. Call Travis down there, he knows exactly what you need, but I will warn you, it ain't cheap. I sunk $1700 into my rear disk conversion, and the front is going to be about the same for you. My truck has disk up front already so I'm going to get off a little cheaper than you up front. That being said, you will throw $3500-4000 at it on all 4 corners if you do it right.

06-26-2015, 04:26 PM	#5
LMREESE Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Ringgold GA Posts: 149	Re: Larger brakes? Is it possible to go with larger drum brakes? __________________ 67 C10 swb bored out 350 granny 4 speed I come from a long line of moonshiners

06-26-2015, 04:59 PM	#7
Stu Pidd Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Fox Island, WA Posts: 135	Re: Larger brakes? I'm thinking about swapping in 8-lug axles from a 3/4 ton to the C-10 just for the bigger brakes. I sometimes tow quite a bit of weight, but don't need the heavy springs/rough ride of a C-20. I already have the whole front assembly w/discs, so it's just a matter of swapping the front and purchasing & installing a rear axle.

06-27-2015, 08:11 AM	#9
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,714	Re: Larger brakes? There is no need to do the rears, they are sufficient in most instances. A front disc conversion will absolutely amaze you and should be able to be done for less than $1000. My '69 scared me to death to drive around in tight traffic because the drums, but the disc conversion cut the braking distance in half I bet. My rears tended to lock up quickly with the drums, but none of that since the disc conversion. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

06-27-2015, 07:50 PM	#11
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: Larger brakes? I did front disc conversion for about $1000, with new ball, joints, tie rod ends and drop spindles using all new parts. It's about $600 for spindles and front brakes then another $300 or so to add power and new MC. Your drums are probably overheating on the downgrade causing them to fade. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"



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