I'm sure this topic has brought most of us to the brink of insanity and beyond and just bringing it up may get me on a list of some sort, but I have a question about my 66 c10 that I have recently converted the front drums to 72 c10 spindles and five lug discs. I've read hours upon hours of threads, many visits to Oreillys and no one seems to go over the proper type of brake hose to use for this conversion. I have the 72 c10 brake hoses and they do not seem to be correct for this application. I know the disc brake kit that most venders sell comes with brake hoses that are "bolt on" with out having to modify the hard lines on the truck and they look nothing like the 72 hoses. If someone could steer me towards the right thread (if it exists) or even better help me with an answer I would greatly appreciate it. I'm generally an industrious individual, but I really want to shy away from making custom brake hoses for an application that supposedly already has a bolt on option. Thanks in advance!
Squirrel, yeah I see there are some options like using a 73-87 brake hose or even later model ones, but those are way longer and too different. At least as far as I can tell. I may just be looking at the 72 hoses all wrong, but I've tried to mock them up in several different ways and it just doesn't look right. I just want to know what everyone else uses and what works best.
Oh, then you might have better luck on the 67-72 truck forum? I don't usually worry about what's best, or what other guys do, I just make things work on my own stuff.
Squirrel, I could "make something work" but whether it's right or not is up for debate and I prefer not to guess or "make things work" when it comes to brakes. But thanks for the input. I may try the other forum.
I use my own judgement about stuff like this...whether or not "the internet" thinks it's best isn't really the final answer, either. If you're not confident in your abilities to make it work, you might need to get on the phone to one of the companies you mentioned that sells this stuff.
I'm not worried about my ability. I just would rather get opinions or hear others experience with this issue rather than making a million trips to the parts store to see what works best. I'm just being over cautious. Can you blame me? I might call McGauphys tomorrow and see if they can help so I'll see what they say.
What is the problem, is it the look or function? Is it too long or too short? Should be a banjo fitting and a female fitting and a bracket. Like Gary said, "easypeasy"
I uploaded some pics of the best I can do with the 72 hoses. It doesn't look too bad and doesn't pull taunt when extended, but it is an awkward position especially when I turn it to the inside. I just don't want it to bind up or prematurally wear out from being mispositioned. I guess I can go with this and just keep an eye on it. I hate to do that with brakes, but it seems no one has previous experience with this specific modification. I do appreciate the input either way.
I used braided steel lines on my 65. After loosing my brakes from failed rubber hose I don't regret it. And they look cool !
62nova, yeah a few have suggested that and I think that's the route I'm going to take. There's a Tompkins right down the street from my work so I may just cut to the chase and do that. Thanks!
I've always heard it was an easy-as-pie swap. Look at Inline Tube (link below), they have tons of hoses. http://www.inlinetube.com/#!rubber-brake-hoses/c1eim The Scarebird kit uses later 3/4 ton calipers. Maybe those are the hoses. https://scarebird.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=97&product_id=150 I would try to find a parts house with a friendly counter guy who may be able to help. I think it would be absurd to have to make up hoses. You should be able to zero in on a length range pretty easily.
Bobss396, yeah I got into this thinking it was a direct swap and easy as can be, but I had a few surprises along the way that made it not so quick and easy. It's no big deal, I just was expecting it to be more straight forward. And I know this is a custom install and can honestly use tons of different year, make and model of parts, but I'd prefer to keep it simple and one year parts swap if that makes sense. One can do this mod in any number of different ways, but I figured it's been done so many times I was hoping for more advice. That's why we have these message boards is to absorb others knowledge and past experience so we don't all have to do our own trials and testing. But thanks for the input either way!
ALSO, 72 drivers side supply line/hard line is 3/8 and the p***enger side supplies a 7/16 line. So even the inlets on the one side is different. Back to the drawing board which is unfortunately going through all the different years and models on oreillys to find the correct length, size and proper ends to fit my application. Fml
Chuck the '72 stuff and get '73-'87 parts. You can even get '73-'87 rotors with 6-lugs, so you don't need to change the rear axles.
Check out the 60-66 chevy truck forum located at www.67-72chevytrucks.com it will have your answer plus the answer for any other questions or problems you could ever have. It's a great site with easy going people who love to help. This is a copy and paste from the site, I hope it helps Rubber brake hoses: * You must change to a disc brake style hose. * Early Cl***ic Enterprises, and other suspension vendors, make a "conversion" brake hose that will connect the disc brake caliper, to the original 63-66 brake hose steel line location. * 71-72 hoses is another option. (but I haven't personally confirmed if the steel line connection is the correct size). * Another option is to use 73-87 hoses, (cheaper to purchase), but they are much longer, and also may need fitting adapters. * Aftermarket steel braided hoses and AN fittings is another option.
Gimpyshotrods, haha it's crossed my mind more than once haha. And Xtechx, yeah I have recently just sent my request to the administrator to join the 67-72 Chevy truck forum and will seek my answer there. And I haven't tried early cl***ic enterprises yet, but that's my next action I'm taking. Thanks for the help guys I'm really hoping to get this wrapped up soo so I can drive my truck again!
To do this properly, you have to change the brakes, the master cylinder, and the distribution block. When you do that, you need to change all the hard lines, too. On a 50 year old truck, changing out the steel lines is cheap insurance. Do the run to the rear while you are at it.
Xtechx, early cl***ic enterprises sells the correct hoses for the 60-70 disc brake conversion for about $55. If I cannot find a cheaper solution I'll be going this route. At least I know these exist and are available. Thanks again!
Onetrickpony, yeah the ****py part of all of this is I just installed all new hardlines in this truck with a new dual master cylinder just six months ago when it had drums all around. Now I'm doing the five lug disc and it's just a pain to have to go back and redo my work just because of the brake hoses. I think I found my solution though.
i just found this thread, but i'm no help as i don't remember what i did. i converted mine about 18 years ago. but if you find what worked for you then please share it so others may have a answer.
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