What parts do I need to change my drums to discs on my 55. I just want to swap the backing plate, rotors, calipers , etc. off of a stock LC disc front end.

try ih8mud.com or do a search here on por. dont ask questions like that around here without doing a search or you will get:flipoff2:

Too late... here it comes...

SMACK!!!!

Come on now, we don't need to flip this guy off for asking a question. Just answer it and move on or don't answer it at all. I would really hate to see this section turn into the general or that other swb section. :mad:

Woody has a great site over at www.ih8mud.com and he has put a lot of time into copying tech info and posting links for us. It is a great source of info.

...and, this was actually a recent thread on my board as well....question was asked regarding a 74 Cruiser and swapping in 77 axle parts. It's pretty much a knuckle-out project and IMO, you will be more pleased with a minitruck conversion than with other more expensive methods.

And, I not only answer questions, but enjoy a friendly "welcome to the PBB" as much as anyone else! :flipoff2: (that's the official you are now welcomed to this board and we really do care and aren't just ignoring you like happens in so many other less friendly sections of the online world......)

:D

and finally....my site is only as good as the contributors.... "...and I'd like to thank...."

I still say read those 2 posts... woody's site is mentioned several times...

Originally posted by Eskimo
I still say read those 2 posts... woody's site is mentioned several times...

I'm not gonna argue the merit of the info in those posts, but at the same time, the key to participation on this board is making folks feel a bit welcome, not kicking them in the teeth with their first post. The Cruiser corner of the PBB is by far the most tolerant and friendly, and that's one of the things that keeps me coming back hour after hour after hour.....

The LCML goes thru this stage frequently....I'm lurking on there now (don't tell) and frankly, some of the regular long-time members can be downright nasty to some of the new members and posters. It's a public forum, not a private club, and IMO, if you don't want old topics rehashed every month, then membership should be closed.

I don't put up with it on ih8mud.com and have privately "smacked" a couple on there for being rude. I do my best to treat people online the same way I would in person, and there is no way anyone would get a "smack" (literatally or figuratively) from me in person.

Guess we got a bit off topic....heh heh

I'll second Woody on being a friendly and tolerant board. Try the search first and ask questions later if you dont think you found what you needed.

to answer your question: You can swap out the parts off the disc pre 1979 front end onto your 1974 front end pretty easily. Get a knuckle rebuild kit from Heart of Texas Offroad(cheapest $$ around)... but you will have to use the disc brake knuckle, it has the tabs for caliper mounting. When disassembling the disc stuff for transfer onto your truck, keep track of the shims under each arm or lower bearing cap and put them back where they came from with new bearings. I have rebuilt quite a few front ends and never had problems with reusing the same shim stacks on each knuckle. preload even came out right every time.

If you choose to go to later L/C stuff or minitruck stuff, you will need to address brake line routing, tierod end shims, and birfield clearance...

hope that helps.
-Brett

Actually, if someone is gonna "hand" you a 76-77-78 Cruiser front axle and you plan to swap parts over, save the effort. Drop the shackles, buy new u-bolts, and just swap the whole setup. You'll need to move the hardline for the brakes from driver to pasengerside and pull the little white plastic thingie from the front-system master cylinder reservoir, but beyond that it's a piece o cake.

BTW: what year 55? and 3-speed or 4-speed trans? The only other issue would be driveshaft flange differences, and the 76-77 flange would swap with your earlier 10-spline coarse diff flange easy enuf. 74-75 are the same flange. (4-speed trans/tranfer)

You're right about the LC forum being the most tolerant.. I'll keep the newbie bashing to chit-chat or gen4x4...

But I made that picture for nothing? :crybaby:

Thanks for the info and the picture and the rips. I'll go find some TUCKS and get over it soon. My 55 is a 72 model, 3 speed, running a 400 small block. Since I'm new to both the board and LCs, I haven't been privliged enough to have had the opportunity to tear into my front or rear ends(even though my rear end seems to have just been ripped Ha Ha).

TRY IT..USE IT...LOVE IT...

Originally posted by Eskimo
You're right about the LC forum being the most tolerant.. I'll keep the newbie bashing to chit-chat or gen4x4...

But I made that picture for nothing? :crybaby:

It WAS a good picture tho....lol