Apologies first - I'm sure there's a thread on this somewhere - can't seem to find it - I have a 57 Chevy 3100, 6 lug that I'd like to do a front disc brake conversion on. It is lowered about 2 inches in the front with monoleaf springs(if that matters). Not looking for power brakes, with drilled rotors - just a basic front wheel conversion kit. What systems do you recommend? Thanks for directing this idiot...
Lots of years ago I used a kit from THIS GUY, a one man shop, on my '57 GMC half ton. Like you, I did not use a booster, but I did use a dual chamber master cylinder (71 Mustang with front disks & built in residual valves) and was happy with the results. What I liked about his product is that he only sells you the specialty pieces and gives you a shopping list to take to your FLAPS for parts like rotors, bearings, seals, calipers and pads. Most of the kit vendors won't tell you what parts they are using and make you go back through them when it is time for brake service. With his kit you re-use the stock hub once you remove the brake drum. Cost is generally lower too.
He is a telephone only guy, no web site other than the advert on Inliners. No facebook, no twitter, no email.
Last edited by Bill Hanlon; 09/06/20226:09 PM. Reason: new info
'57 GMC 102, Original 347 V8, HydraMatic, 3.08 rear gear, added A/C, disk front brakes, HEI, AFB carb, '98 Honda Black Currant paint. T-boned and totaled 10/12 '52 GMC 152 Stake Bed, Original 228, SM420, added A/C, HEI, disk front brakes, '67 Chev 3.55 rear gear. Gets used as a real truck.
Bill, I’ll presume that like other kits they don’t fit behind stock wheels
Don't remember needing to use spacers, but I did give away a set of 1/4" thick spacers to a friend maybe 20 years ago after I had changed the wheels to these:
'57 GMC 102, Original 347 V8, HydraMatic, 3.08 rear gear, added A/C, disk front brakes, HEI, AFB carb, '98 Honda Black Currant paint. T-boned and totaled 10/12 '52 GMC 152 Stake Bed, Original 228, SM420, added A/C, HEI, disk front brakes, '67 Chev 3.55 rear gear. Gets used as a real truck.
Mine were Chevy 4x4 1/2 ton Rally wheels as were the rotors and calipers. Fit fine with 235/75x15 tires and no spacers. See picture in post above.
'57 GMC 102, Original 347 V8, HydraMatic, 3.08 rear gear, added A/C, disk front brakes, HEI, AFB carb, '98 Honda Black Currant paint. T-boned and totaled 10/12 '52 GMC 152 Stake Bed, Original 228, SM420, added A/C, HEI, disk front brakes, '67 Chev 3.55 rear gear. Gets used as a real truck.
I'm running 15x6" 72+ Blazer/K10 4x4 six lug wheels with a CPP kit I bought used for cheap. Could be a wheel option if you're wanting to keep it stock appearing enough to fool most folks.
I don't want to hijack this thread...but I'm hoping Bill Hanlon can provide more details on the year of rotor and caliper that he used for his conversion. I'm looking to do something very similar on a 39 chevy 3/4 ton truck. I was just researching GM 4WD rotors. I assume you reused your original hubs and bearings and made a bracket for the caliper. I want to keep my truck all GM. I don't want Ford Mustang parts on my truck!
