The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk disc brakes

im starting to build a 68 chevy shortbox half ton, i want to put disc brakes up front but not wanting to spend the 700 dollars for the conversion , where im at we have plenty of salvage yards and wondering if anyone could help me with any ideas on what later model stuff will work . I am planning on purchasing drop spindles and some 6 hole rotors . any input would be great

Welcome to the Stovebolt!

Though I've not lived there in 25 years I graduated from a Southern Idaho high school. What part of the state are you in?

I believe disk brakes were an option in '71 AND six-lug? I'm not sure of that, but I think someone told me it was the case.

Starting in '72 all Chevy/GMC 1/2-ton pickups have disk brakes, and the suspenion is the same basic design as your '68. But they are all 5-lug. I am sure of that, I have a '72 parked outside.

im planning on purchasing drop spindles and 6 hole rotors , so if i robbed calipers off a newer model they should work? we are in buhl, i graduated here back in 84 .

Caldwell ten years before you. I left Idaho at the end of '81 and have only been back to visit since.

I don't know if the later calipers and those rotors will work together or not. You might try to get your parts house to let you trial fit it at the counter.

yes they will work.

'71s are 5 lug. It was the first year for disk brakes on Chevy trucks, they ware standard equipment. The '71s had a decal on the tailgate that was a yellow and black striped rectangle that said "Caution; Disk Brakes" on it. I remember that decal on my Dads '71 C20. GM also went to 5 lug on all 1/2 ton 2wd models, 4x4 stayed 6 lug but used disk brakes as well.

I put spindles and disc brakes from a 84 C10 on my 65 C10. All I had to change was the ball joints and tie rod ends. The a-arms are the same. Direct bolt in job that took only a few hours. It's a 5 hole wheel now, but that is fine with me. I also used the 12 bolt posi rear from that 84.

I bought this kit from a Chevy truck supplier, consisting of bearing races and bolt-on plates for my solid-axle spindles. The rest (70s bearings and brakes discs) I bought new from Auto Zone. Got out real chaep!