Performance Calipers for hopped-up Pickups

[TruckSTR]

Hello, all! I have a question or three. I'm working on trying to upgrade the brakes on my project truck. As many of you probably already know, the '67 Chevy pickups came with 6-lug wheels and drum brakes. Not good for stopping in a hurry. So, I've changed over to 5-lug wheels (5 on 5 pattern) using Summit Racing rotors (http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=SUM%2DDSEP%2D5516L ) and Early Classic 2-1/2" dropped disc brake spindles (http://www.earlyclassic.com/catalog.aspx). This setup will accept the stock '72 Chevy C10 pickup single piston brake calipers, but I want to get a bit more.

LowBuckX installed these same calipers in his '72 Nova (http://www.g-machines.com/forum/showthread.php?p=249220 - post #6). My question is are there some more performance oriented calipers that will bolt-in in place of the stock calipers?

I'd rather not switch over, yet, to a BAER or SSBC Force 10 set-up or?. Maybe later.

Are the Wilwood GMIII calipers a bolt-in in? Are they any good? I realize that both the stock AND GMIIIs are single piston calipers. But the GMIIIs are aluminum (therefore, maybe the only major benefit would be the better heat dissipation). Are the GMIIIs DOT approved?

Note: This pickup will not be used as a "truck". I'm building it to haul azz, not manure. :D

Thanks in advance!

Jeff
aka TruckSTR

[Skip Fix]

Not sure if the 72s are the same bolt pattern as later model trucks like my 97. The 97 3/4 ton with HD brakes used a larger pad caliper than the other trucks. I think it has a slightly bigger piston also.

The Wilwoods have alot smaller pistons than most of the truck calipers.

[TruckSTR]

There's some Wilwood GMIIIs with 2-3/4" diameter pistons - just like my '72 C10 calipers. I've downloaded the dimensional drawing from their site, but haven't had a chance to compare it to my stock '72 truck calipers. They may not even be DOT approved. I haven't called them to find out. I do know that Wilwood won't commit to whether the GMIIIs will fit the '72 spindle assy.

I guess that I'm just hoping against hope that somebody here has some experience with either my setup or something close before I drop the money for a set of GMIIIs. So far, LowBuckX, as mentioned in the OP, is as close as I've been able to come for somebody with experience. His fitting the '72 C10 pickup calipers (exactly what I have now) is encouraging. But the question remains as to whether the Wilwood GMIIIs are an interchangeable bolt-in or even if they'll make a significant enough difference to warrant the expense.

I don't know about the 3/4 ton calipers. Their bolt pattern is probably different. I know that the piston diameter of the ones that I've been able to get info on is 3-5/8". That's quite a bit bigger than the 2-3/4" of the ones I have.

So far, it SEEMS that the GMIIIs are my best bet. But who knows for sure? If I figure it out, I'll post it.

Thanks!

[MonzaRacer]

Itssaid that the 73 up Cseries suspension all bolts right under the older trucks, and as for me I would simply lookup some big rotors like a vette, redrill them to 5 on 5 and make a bounting plate to slide the C5/C6 calipers to the truck.
very simple.
Heck it would only take about $25 for a rotor and redrill it ,look around for a junk truck rotor and make a hub out of it and see if the rotor will slide on and then maybe borrow a caliper or have someone measure one and get some ideas for an adapter plate.
My $.02 worth.
I build a lot of stuff my self.
Lee Abel
AFTERMARKET PERFORMANCE

[TruckSTR]

I appreciate your input, Lee. Yes, the 73' to '87 front suspension - the entire front cross member and all the attached front suspension is very nearly a bolt-in on the '67 to '72 Chevy pickup frames. There are a couple of bolt holes that align the cross member cradle to the frame and the rest are only a matter of drilling to fit. But I have already built my front suspension on the existing '67 cross member by upgrading to the ECE 2-1/2" dropped spindles (they're a lot beefier than the originals - even the '72s - AND they're taller to change the roll center for better handling), installing a 1-1/4" diam. sway bar, 2" dropped springs and a few other more minor changes. I'm looking into a set of tubular A-arms to get a better camber curve for better stability.

As I said before, the ECE spindles that I have use the '71-'72 C10 brake calipers. I don't know what others fit. That's why I'm asking my various questions.

I've been trying to research and evaluate the various caliper options for a while now with little confirmable success. Down the road is a different story. Stacy David that used to run the TV show "Trucks" built a project "Copperhead" - a '67 Chevy short fleet just like mine. He used the same ECE spindles that I have and cut off the caliper mounting lugs. In their place he bolted a caliper mounting bracket and installed a set of, I believe it was, BAER brake calipers (could have been SSBC Force 10s. I don't recall). He used an aluminum hub with integral bearings that used a separate disc rotor hat instead of the original disc/hub assembly with integral bearings like I presently have.

So, although I appreciate your input, I'm really just looking for a better bolt-in caliper - if there is such an animal.

I'm surprised that, so far, there's nobody here that knows anything about the Wilwood GMIIIs. I believe that they’ll fit, but, like I say, Wilwood won't commit. I can't say as I blame them though. If I eventually find that they DO fit, then I'll document it and send them the info, and post it here too, so it'll maybe help others. My main questions for the folks here on the boards is, in their opinion - with reasoning, whether the Wilwood calipers are worth trying given that their only real advantage seems to be that they're aluminum, therefore there would be a slight weight savings and better heat dissipation. The heat dissipation looks to me to be the most intriguing aspect. Hauling a near 3,600 pound pickup down from speeds better than 120 mph "quickly" (relative term) is a job for a good set of brakes. No? So, would the Wilwood GMIIIs - not to forget a quality set of brake pads - be much better than what I already have?

[Skip Fix]

If the GM Wilwoods fit the regular F body should fit and have a 2 15/16 piston. You need to just measure the bolt spacing on the GM calipers, bet most are all the same. Generally the factory ones used a roughly 1"(sometimes 1.1) rotor except the truck which generally used a 1.25 rotor.

The metric caliper on the fron tof 80s mid sized are the same bolt pattern as the Trans Am rear calipers.

[MonzaRacer]

As for hauling down big vehicles thats no more than a Chevelle or a Impalla.
I cant remember does it still use 52 style pads if so an upgrade to something from a latemodel Impalla upgrade kit might work and as for the rotors just make sure the thickness is the smae as the caliper uses.
We had a Dakota come in and the set up had custom plates bolted on and I think it was a GM Covette caliper (older).
Hey if its not available as a bolt on , make one and set your self up to sell the tech to others or one of the brake companies.I am thinking of several ideas for bigger brakes for my Monza without buying the ATS spindle right off, but still need the bigger wheels to clear them.
If it dont fit MAKE IT hehehehe.
Lee

[trackrat79]

Brothers trucks sells a direct bolt on replacement aluminum dual piston caliper kit with braided hoses. I put in on my truck and had a noticed improvement. Until my master started leaking internaly. but now its all better. I lock up the fronts in stop and go traffic if I forget how good they are. Need better tires now to make use of the improved brakes.

[TruckSTR]

Trackrat79,

Thanks for replying to my question. It looks like your truck and mine have a few things in common. Cool!

I went to the Brother's website and surfed around looking for the calipers you mentioned and couldn't find them. Are they truely a bolt on? I'm using the Early Classic dropped spindles. They use the '72 single piston calipers. All I need is the calipers as I already have the rest, including braided brake lines.

I don't mind changing out banjo bolts, but I'm trying to limit other mods - at least for the meantime.

Thanks,
TruckSTR