My truck has drumbrakes in front and rear.I upgraded the rear Huck(leberry) brakes today.They work just fine, but after driving the truck on a litle roundtrip in the nabourhood i found out that they are not secure anough in todays traffic . What i want is to keep the rear drum brakes and upgrade with a front disc brake conversian kit. I am looking fore a bolt on solution keeping the stock hubs/spindles and i would like to use the old style rims without using spacers if posseble ? The power brake booster is no problem it can be placed in the stock location underneath the floor. I wanted to hear you guys experiences with the conversian kits that are availeble to use. Its important fore me using the old style rims! Classic Parts of America offers different conversian kits but i am not shore what kind of solution is the best? Thanks Martinius.
The kit that our host offers (pn71-974c5) is simular to the kit put in my 57. Pretty simple to install and no spacers.The kit i used was purchased locally. www.classicperformance.com . The prices are competitive.I attached a few pics of my project. I hope they help. Bobby
Why change? Martinius, are the disc brakes better ? really. I think they are worked fine many years and if i take a look to my truck i think not only the disc brakes make my truck safer. steering components and suspension are installed for for drum brakes. The only things what is very good is a power brake. If you maintain your drum brakes often they are stopped the truck in the right time. or could you drive with the speed form the actually cars? i use the old huck brakes and if i make an emergency stop the tires paint a straight black line on the street my experience with disc brake conversion on my Cadillac (1957) if i drive with 90mph and make an emergency stop - the car is a dancer on the street and try to leave the street.
Stock spindles/hubs and rims ? Hey Bobby Does the kit give you the possebillety still using the stock spindles/hubs and rims on your truck? Thanks fore sharing pics.Martinius
Yes it doe's use the stock hub and spindle.The hub sits on top of the rotor.You do have to replace the lug studs and they are included in the kit. The lug studs marry the two pieces together with no drilling required.Glad i can help .If you need more pics, let me know. Bobby
I am SOOO looking forward to doing this conversion! (6 lug) I talked to a guy who has a beautiful yellow and green GMC at the car show here on Labor Day weekend. He had done the conversion thing and said he loves it. No troubles at all. I do know there has been talk about the bearings being waaay expen$ive and an odd size that you won't find at a part store. Ordering an extra set might be needed so you will have one on hand?
That is the only change i made that didn't come with the kit was the wheel bearing kit for $120.00 and that was a recommended change for the disc brakes.I am quite pleased with the finished product. Bobby
6-lug disc brake kit Thank you guys fore your contributions and pics. Quote Classic Parts of America; The 6-lug disc brake kit 71-974C6 contains all you'll need to put modern disc brakes on your stock spindles, and uses your stock hubs. The 1-1/4" thick, 12 inch rotor uses a GM full-floating caliper. The booster mounts in the stock location. Recommending an upgrade the stock ball bearings to the tapered roller bearings when using this kit. Some stock wheels may rub the caliper. It may be necessary to use a spacer. May not work with original rims! My truck do have 6-lug wheels. Is there an 6-lug brake kit that will fit bolt on and i dont have to use any spacers between or ..... is that however needed and will it effect the driving stabillity in some ways when using spacers ? Martinius. Just a litle bit ????????????????????????????
if you do have to use spacers it will be minumal (1/4") the integrity of the hub and lug studs will not be compromised.I still have a stock rim and need to take a wheel off the front when i do i'll put the stock rim on and let you if it clears or how much shimming you'll have to do. Bobby
Bobby That would be great Bobby.It makes things much more predicteble and easy to understand with practic knowledge "learning by doing". Many thanks Martinius.
Heres the pics for you.they show the rotor, hub and 1/8" spacer used to positivly secure all 3 pieces together.that 1/8" will help with caliper clearence.Keep in mind after the install you must reset toe-in.I would check toe-in first before starting your project. Bobby
