Front Disc Conversion: Best Kit? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bluec10 · 08-20-2022, 01:53 PM

FINALLY have the ability to start rebuilding my ‘69 GMC. I have 6 bolt drum brakes all around and want to go to 5 bolt disc brakes in front. Who makes/sells the best kit for this conversion?

72SB · 08-20-2022, 03:36 PM

I used Right Stuff on my 67 Camaro...I assume they make a C10 kit also.

**Jason Banks** · 08-21-2022, 10:28 AM

I have always just bought all the pieces...

Spindles
Rotors
Calipers
Caliper Bolts
Brake Pads
Bearings
Bearing Grease Seals
Spindle Nuts
Spindle Nut Caps
Brake Hoses
Rotor Backing Plates

Last time I checked, it was cheaper doing it this way...

leftybass209 · 08-21-2022, 10:37 AM

Define best.

Are we talking a quality OE kit that's all encompassing

Or Willwood/Baer multi-piston calipers with huge rotors

Or a hydroboost setup?

**Palf70Step** · 08-21-2022, 11:58 AM

If you want to keep stock height, I'd use factory 71 thru 87 parts. I found getting a donor front cross member that has the cross ink, spindles, tie rod pieces and steering links is the best way to start. Don't for get you'll need newer style master cylinder and a proportioning valve.

If you want lowered spindles, not sure who the preferred brand(s) are.

You'll probably have to go with aftermarket axles (or weld/redrill yours) since the 69 has the narrower rear end and no factory 5 lug axles in the narrow width. You could also use a 71/72 rear from direct bolt in change to 5 lug.

**MikeB** · 08-21-2022, 04:12 PM

71-72 parts. Or 73 to early 80s.

Take a look at this thread:

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=837026

**tdangle** · 08-22-2022, 06:37 PM

for my C20 I used a kit from POL. Had everything I needed to rebuild the front end except new a-arm bushings, and did the brakes. Then just bought master cylinder for disc/drum setup as well as a proportioning valve.

bluec10 · 10-01-2022, 02:50 PM

Nothing like that - just want to upgrade my drums to disc.

**CC69Rat** · 10-01-2022, 08:50 PM

Take a look at The Little Shop out of Nashville. Very nice, and complete conversion kits. I have probably converted 50 of them through the years and it's the best one I've found. Highly recommend.

**leddzepp** · 10-01-2022, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Banks

I have always just bought all the pieces...

Spindles
Rotors
Calipers
Caliper Bolts
Brake Pads
Bearings
Bearing Grease Seals
Spindle Nuts
Spindle Nut Caps
Brake Hoses
Rotor Backing Plates

Last time I checked, it was cheaper doing it this way...

I agree. Other than the spindles, all other parts can be sourced from a local auto parts store.

Accelo · 10-02-2022, 01:15 AM

I found it impossible to contact the "Right Stuff" for any help. Caveat emptor

Do you have power brakes on your set up?
Converting the lines from manual brakes to p/b was the biggest PITA for me.

Remember the lower lines on the factory disc brake trucks feed the calipers from the front of the cross-member. Drum brakes lines feed from the back of the cross-member.
Many conversions have the flexible line feed from the stock drum brake location. This is the simplest method by far. Replacing the drum lines with the factory disc lines is difficult as they feed under the motor mounts. The earlier, drum brake cross-members have the tab on the front and the disc brake trucks have this tab on the rear of the cross-member. To do the front brake line conversion you also need add the tab to the cross-member.

If your truck isn’t lowered and you use the rear flexible line connection and you already have power brakes you should have few issues. Don’t forget the proportion valve will need to be changed to the disc brake style.

I still didn't answer your question, "which is the best." High end kits, like Wilwood, Baer and Brembo tend to be designed for the vehicle and actually fit. The low end stuff it typically just sourced stock components and you will be on your own to get it installed and functioning. All the kits I have installed were of the low end style. They all turned into a cluster for one reason or another. I now own a hydraulic double flair tool to prove my point.
Cheers

72SB · 10-02-2022, 04:19 PM

My experience with a Right Stuff drum to disc kit, front, was good. Plug & play but this was on my 67 Camaro

My C10 is a 72 so it had front disc manual. I used a CPP power MC/Booster kit. Maybe they make a drum to disc kit??

Sometimes you need to mate different thread size/pitch to a new system component. Earls, Inline Tube, etc all make those adapters. I needed 2 on my Right Stuff kit to connect my stock lines on Camaro. Simple and part of modding cars, sometimes adapters are needed vs cutting and flaring line with the fitting needed

08-20-2022, 01:53 PM	#1
bluec10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 663	Front Disc Conversion: Best Kit? FINALLY have the ability to start rebuilding my ‘69 GMC. I have 6 bolt drum brakes all around and want to go to 5 bolt disc brakes in front. Who makes/sells the best kit for this conversion? __________________ Present: 2015 Tacoma. Yeah, not a GM, but I love it. 1969 GMC 32,000 - fix, drive, relax, fix... 2019 BMW R1250 GSA - Yahoooooooo 1979 Honda GL 1000 - retro touring at its best. Past: '05 Sierra 4x4 - Had 270,000 KM and running well when it was written-off by a stop sign runner. '94 F-150 from the "F word" company. I'll admit it...good truck. Sold what was left of it for $800 to a guy who came to pick it up at 11:00 PM with cash in hand. Hmm. '79 Sierra Grande (Black) organ donor - perfect rebuildable 4-bolt 350 and a good TH350. '76 Sierra Grande (Orange) - hate isn't too strong a word. Kid who bought it turned it into a hot rod. '68 C-10 R.I.P. - Dad's old truck...too far gone to resurrect. '59 C-50 - with hoist. Truck is gone, wife isn't. Nuff said.

08-20-2022, 03:36 PM	#2
72SB Registered User Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Moorpark, CA Posts: 701	Re: Front Disc Conversion: Best Kit? I used Right Stuff on my 67 Camaro...I assume they make a C10 kit also.

08-21-2022, 10:28 AM	#3
Jason Banks Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: TX Posts: 1,519	Re: Front Disc Conversion: Best Kit? I have always just bought all the pieces... Spindles Rotors Calipers Caliper Bolts Brake Pads Bearings Bearing Grease Seals Spindle Nuts Spindle Nut Caps Brake Hoses Rotor Backing Plates Last time I checked, it was cheaper doing it this way...

08-21-2022, 10:37 AM	#4
leftybass209 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 2,186	Re: Front Disc Conversion: Best Kit? Define best. Are we talking a quality OE kit that's all encompassing Or Willwood/Baer multi-piston calipers with huge rotors Or a hydroboost setup?

08-21-2022, 11:58 AM	#5
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 46,641	Re: Front Disc Conversion: Best Kit? If you want to keep stock height, I'd use factory 71 thru 87 parts. I found getting a donor front cross member that has the cross ink, spindles, tie rod pieces and steering links is the best way to start. Don't for get you'll need newer style master cylinder and a proportioning valve. If you want lowered spindles, not sure who the preferred brand(s) are. You'll probably have to go with aftermarket axles (or weld/redrill yours) since the 69 has the narrower rear end and no factory 5 lug axles in the narrow width. You could also use a 71/72 rear from direct bolt in change to 5 lug. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

08-21-2022, 04:12 PM	#6
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,424	Re: Front Disc Conversion: Best Kit? 71-72 parts. Or 73 to early 80s. Take a look at this thread: https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=837026 __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 34 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 23 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!

08-22-2022, 06:37 PM	#7
tdangle Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jurupa Valley, Ca Posts: 1,209	Re: Front Disc Conversion: Best Kit? for my C20 I used a kit from POL. Had everything I needed to rebuild the front end except new a-arm bushings, and did the brakes. Then just bought master cylinder for disc/drum setup as well as a proportioning valve. __________________ Terry 1970 Custom Camper/C20 , GM Crate 350/7004R, Dana 60, factory AC

10-01-2022, 02:50 PM	#8
bluec10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 663	Re: Front Disc Conversion: Best Kit? Nothing like that - just want to upgrade my drums to disc. __________________ Present: 2015 Tacoma. Yeah, not a GM, but I love it. 1969 GMC 32,000 - fix, drive, relax, fix... 2019 BMW R1250 GSA - Yahoooooooo 1979 Honda GL 1000 - retro touring at its best. Past: '05 Sierra 4x4 - Had 270,000 KM and running well when it was written-off by a stop sign runner. '94 F-150 from the "F word" company. I'll admit it...good truck. Sold what was left of it for $800 to a guy who came to pick it up at 11:00 PM with cash in hand. Hmm. '79 Sierra Grande (Black) organ donor - perfect rebuildable 4-bolt 350 and a good TH350. '76 Sierra Grande (Orange) - hate isn't too strong a word. Kid who bought it turned it into a hot rod. '68 C-10 R.I.P. - Dad's old truck...too far gone to resurrect. '59 C-50 - with hoist. Truck is gone, wife isn't. Nuff said.

10-01-2022, 08:50 PM	#9
CC69Rat Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Chattanooga TN Posts: 6,205	Re: Front Disc Conversion: Best Kit? Take a look at The Little Shop out of Nashville. Very nice, and complete conversion kits. I have probably converted 50 of them through the years and it's the best one I've found. Highly recommend. __________________ Chad 1967 C10 SWB - Project Savannah - 6.0/4L80 Currently underway 1968 C10 SWB - TOTY 2018, 50th Anniversary Tribute Project * Sold * Pride and Joy 1986 Silverado Short Fleet - Scarlet Sold 1985 Silverado Short Fleet Sold 2022 Jeep Gladiator Mojave 2001 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4x4 - Lifted, Built 1992 Jeep Cherokee XJ 4x4 - Lifted 2013 Honda Accord EX-L v6 Coupe 6spd (wife's ride)

10-02-2022, 01:15 AM	#11
Accelo Registered User Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: washington Posts: 2,161	Re: Front Disc Conversion: Best Kit? I found it impossible to contact the "Right Stuff" for any help. Caveat emptor Do you have power brakes on your set up? Converting the lines from manual brakes to p/b was the biggest PITA for me. Remember the lower lines on the factory disc brake trucks feed the calipers from the front of the cross-member. Drum brakes lines feed from the back of the cross-member. Many conversions have the flexible line feed from the stock drum brake location. This is the simplest method by far. Replacing the drum lines with the factory disc lines is difficult as they feed under the motor mounts. The earlier, drum brake cross-members have the tab on the front and the disc brake trucks have this tab on the rear of the cross-member. To do the front brake line conversion you also need add the tab to the cross-member. If your truck isn’t lowered and you use the rear flexible line connection and you already have power brakes you should have few issues. Don’t forget the proportion valve will need to be changed to the disc brake style. I still didn't answer your question, "which is the best." High end kits, like Wilwood, Baer and Brembo tend to be designed for the vehicle and actually fit. The low end stuff it typically just sourced stock components and you will be on your own to get it installed and functioning. All the kits I have installed were of the low end style. They all turned into a cluster for one reason or another. I now own a hydraulic double flair tool to prove my point. Cheers Last edited by Accelo; 10-02-2022 at 01:26 AM.

10-02-2022, 04:19 PM	#12
72SB Registered User Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Moorpark, CA Posts: 701	Re: Front Disc Conversion: Best Kit? My experience with a Right Stuff drum to disc kit, front, was good. Plug & play but this was on my 67 Camaro My C10 is a 72 so it had front disc manual. I used a CPP power MC/Booster kit. Maybe they make a drum to disc kit?? Sometimes you need to mate different thread size/pitch to a new system component. Earls, Inline Tube, etc all make those adapters. I needed 2 on my Right Stuff kit to connect my stock lines on Camaro. Simple and part of modding cars, sometimes adapters are needed vs cutting and flaring line with the fitting needed



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