Hi,
After doing a search I see why no one replied to my post ""56-3200 Dual Master/Front Disk Conversion??" There is a boat load of good information and answers to this topic, but..... After purusing almost all the info I found, it seems that the real answers that I was looking for are lacking. The manual dual master is pretty much a piece o'cake but the offerings for disc conversions for a straight axle ala 1956 etc. are limited and not quite what I would like to do. Let's see,
#1: I can convert to front disk and still use 6-lug wheels but can't use the original rims without modifying the rims or calipers (why bother) while spending pretty big bucks. hhmm..
#2: I can convert to Camaro style calipers and rotors that were made for the weight of a car (not a loaded pickup truck) with a non truck lug pattern while increasing the width between the front wheels giving it the awkward look that putting a classic truck body onto a late model frame gives. Still kinda spendy. hhmm....
After a lot of research and brain twisting I may have come up with another option that I would like opinions and thoughts on.
#3: Have the stock spindles machined, sleeved and shortened to use standard 1/2 ton '73 and up 5-lug Chevy pickup rotors and have a caliper bracket made for the '73 and up calipers. The rotors and calipers are mui plentiful, comparitively inexpensive, have a truck lug pattern and are made for the weight of a loaded pickup truck.
I have actually found someone who regularly does similar sorts of fabrication and machine work who quoted me a price of around $400 for the machine work and the brackets ready to bolt on, even as a "one off" job. I realize that this sounds a bit pricey at first, but look at what you end up with in convenience, price for replacement parts, and the right equipment for the job. If several or more of us straight axle owners wanted to do a similar thing this would no longer be a "one of" job and we could probably get the price a bit lower.
So, what do ya all think? Is this a good plan or is all the fun I had in the late '60's early '70's coming back to haunt me?
All replies are eagerly welcomed,
Thanks,
Gene&Jr.
