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Canadian Poncho Homepage -> Canadian Poncho -> Off Brand Cars/Parts Wanted -> Brake Conversion Advice for 1968 GMC 1500
Post Info TOPIC: Brake Conversion Advice for 1968 GMC 1500
Winnipeg


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Brake Conversion Advice for 1968 GMC 1500
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Hi Folks

In the non-brand discussion, I am looking for advice on a good source for a conversion kit to convert my 1968 GMC 1500 series from manual drum to front power disc and rear drum brakes.

Any recommendations for kits? Any Canadian suppliers?

Thanks



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timbuk


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lots of guys use 73 and up halfton stuff it all bolts in however you end up with 5 bolt pattern wheels or check kmstools for a conversion kit

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68 Grande


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If the 78 C10 spindles fit your 68, I have an extra set of front disc spindles for sale that came off my 78.  The square body calipers are cheap, Rock Auto has bearings, pads, lines, use your CP 5% discount, etc.    



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cranks38


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Try Scott's

www.scottssupertrucks.com/contactus.asp

.

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64 SportWagon


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I just went to wreckers for square body spindle set,bolted right on to my 63 c10 ,rotors calipers from jobber in town,maybe 300$ in total,flex lines on parts truck were new,so made it cheaper and already had power brake parts in stock from an a body...

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beaumontguru


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You will have to use the 73 and up brake hoses with this conversion, and make up some new brakets to hold hte hoses,  but yes the 73 and up setup would be better than the 71/72.  the hoses for the 71/72 are hard to find.



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4SPEED427


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So can a guy strip a 73 and up, then bolt it all into a 68?

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1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
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beaumontguru


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I've never actually done it, but i think so.  i think you have to do something with the baljoint size tho.

All in all,  just stick to all the stock drum brakes for a 68, then splurge on the best set of shoes, bleed it all properly, and it will stop fine unless you drive like a maniac on the US interstate.

I have 68 trucks as daily drivers, all stone stock,   no problems for me,  i love it,  and manual drums too,  i just dont like the low pedal feel of power,  but thats just my opinion, from a guy that drives nothing but old cars and trucks on a daily basis,  its what i am use to, so i know what the trucks are capable of doing, and drive accordingly.



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66 Grande guy


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I agree. I have a 1969 Chevy pickup with drum brakes and have driven all over all Alberta in the last ten years with no trouble from the brakes (or anything else for that matter)

As PJ O'Rourke once said, you need disc brakes if you are doing repeated panic stops. If you are having to do repeated panic stops, you have a lot bigger problems than your brakes!



-- Edited by 66 Grande guy on Tuesday 31st of March 2020 10:28:13 PM

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hawkeye5766


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4SPEED427 wrote:

So can a guy strip a 73 and up, then bolt it all into a 68?

 Can bolt the whole cross member in



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hawkeye5766


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timbuk wrote:

lots of guys use 73 and up halfton stuff it all bolts in however you end up with 5 bolt pattern wheels or check kmstools for a conversion kit

 x2  Just put stock 74 disc on the front of my 66 (all stock parts) and welded/re drilled the rear axles to 5 on 5. Ended up with an extra set of ball joints if you need them. 

 

disc brakes.jpg



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Winnipeg


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Thanks everyone for all of the information and help.
I've decided to keep the manual drums for now and get them fixed up in top notch shape and see if i'm happy with them.

Great discussion and thanks all.



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timbuk


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hawkeye5766 wrote:
timbuk wrote:

lots of guys use 73 and up halfton stuff it all bolts in however you end up with 5 bolt pattern wheels or check kmstools for a conversion kit

 x2  Just put stock 74 disc on the front of my 66 (all stock parts) and welded/re drilled the rear axles to 5 on 5. Ended up with an extra set of ball joints if you need them. 

 

disc brakes.jpg

 ok jim did you switch out the crossmember or did you use the 66 spindle for that? i still run drums on my 65 and have ni issue,im just cruzin around



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hawkeye5766


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timbuk wrote:
hawkeye5766 wrote:
timbuk wrote:

lots of guys use 73 and up halfton stuff it all bolts in however you end up with 5 bolt pattern wheels or check kmstools for a conversion kit

 x2  Just put stock 74 disc on the front of my 66 (all stock parts) and welded/re drilled the rear axles to 5 on 5. Ended up with an extra set of ball joints if you need them. 

 

disc brakes.jpg

 ok jim did you switch out the crossmember or did you use the 66 spindle for that? i still run drums on my 65 and have ni issue,im just cruzin around

 Just changed the spindles (74) ball joints the same as long as not an 8 bolt(larger) and also heard 71-72 ball joint tapper is diff (odd ball) same right up to mid 80's i think (for 1/2 ton). Also put PS box from 78 I think...used CP adaptor plate.



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rebelrouser


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Wow! 13+ years ago while at Pick your part here in Calgary I came across 4 sets of 4 piston brake sets-spindles and all- from '68-'70 Chev/GMC 1500's. I bought them all for $250 or so and ended up giving them to an acquaintance of mine north of Calgary. The fellow had a huge collection of that generation of pick ups that he was collecting parts for. I never knew that they would end up becoming so sought after. Wish I had them now.......

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beaumontguru


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With all due respect,  i think you might be mistaken on those disc set ups.  The Disc brakes were first used on the 1971 C10's and they were just a standard basic single piston caliper design, very simple.  there was never a 4 piston or anything like that on any of the 1/2 ton GMC or chevy c10 from 1968-72.

But i could be wrong when it comes to the 8 bolt 3/4 ton setups,  i am not sure.  

The main difference between the 71/72 and the later 73 and up is the length of the brake hoses and the way they route.



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