6 lug conversion

chevy79_qa · Nov 13, 2022

Hello everyone, I’ve got a 1979 Chevy k20 and I’m having a smeding 572/tremec tkx put into it but with all that power I will need some brakes to stop the car. I can’t find any brakes in the market for a 8 lug but found some 6 piston’s from Baer (https://baer.com/13-Front-Pro-Brake-System-4301542.html) and they are only for blazer’s 6 lug. My question is how can I convert the 8 lug to a 6 lug. Also I will be removing the t-case since tremec tkx are only for 2wd and im leaving the front diff on the truck any input about that will be appreciated as well. Thank you guys in advance.

CheemsK1500 · Nov 13, 2022

What front axle do you have? If it's a D44, you can swap the outer pieces from a 10 bolt or another 44 to go from 8 to 6 or vice versa. I have a 6 lug 10 bolt that im interested in converting to an 8, if you wish to participate in some parts trading with me.

Honestly though, I'd suggest keeping your 8 lug set up, and just focus on upgrading your existing brake system. There's plenty of guys here that can give you some pretty helpful tips for getting the most out of your brakes. If you insist on an aftermarket brake system, Willwood will probably build whatever you want.

Grit dog · Nov 13, 2022

They say, to each their own, not my money so I shouldn’t criticize, etc, but the first silly notion is that a 40 year old 3/4 ton 4x4 WITH a lift kit will safely drive fast enough and corner well enough to make any real use of super high performance brakes. Physics and basic engineering principle are heading the opposite direction as you are.
Second, I can’t think of a better way (well there are but this one is close to the top) to ruin the vehicle and its value by converting it to half ton hubs.
And there’s not an apparent way to do the rear axle that I’m aware of other than swapping for a smaller axle or some custom weld up/ re drill.
AND everything else you’d have to (pay someone for custom 1 off work which you don’t even understand) to do.
I’m now guessing that paying for a full rotisserie resto like you did is not of any financial concern to you. Given that is the case, the 572 would be fun for photos and burnouts and sand drags (guessing they do that there) but useless as a street machine.
Leave it alone or get a half ton or a C20 to turn into a race car. Unless you’re simply after the most eccentric thing you can produce.

chevy79_qa · Nov 13, 2022

CheemsK1500 said:
What front axle do you have? If it's a D44, you can swap the outer pieces from a 10 bolt or another 44 to go from 8 to 6 or vice versa. I have a 6 lug 10 bolt that im interested in converting to an 8, if you wish to participate in some parts trading with me.

Honestly though, I'd suggest keeping your 8 lug set up, and just focus on upgrading your existing brake system. There's plenty of guys here that can give you some pretty helpful tips for getting the most out of your brakes. If you insist on an aftermarket brake system, Willwood will probably build whatever you want.

The truck came with the corporate 10 bolt and sure if I was in America I’ll give it to you for free but I’m in qatar. Regarding brakes for the 8 lug I’ve found some 2 piston ones from wilwood and disc rotors from summit, I don’t think that would cut it. Again if I was in the US I would pay wilwood a visit but since I’m in the Middle East it would be hard getting any quote on something like that custom built for me. Thanks anyways brother.

chevy79_qa · Nov 13, 2022

Grit dog said:
They say, to each their own, not my money so I shouldn’t criticize, etc, but the first silly notion is that a 40 year old 3/4 ton 4x4 WITH a lift kit will safely drive fast enough and corner well enough to make any real use of super high performance brakes. Physics and basic engineering principle are heading the opposite direction as you are.
Second, I can’t think of a better way (well there are but this one is close to the top) to ruin the vehicle and its value by converting it to half ton hubs.
And there’s not an apparent way to do the rear axle that I’m aware of other than swapping for a smaller axle or some custom weld up/ re drill.
AND everything else you’d have to (pay someone for custom 1 off work which you don’t even understand) to do.
I’m now guessing that paying for a full rotisserie resto like you did is not of any financial concern to you. Given that is the case, the 572 would be fun for photos and burnouts and sand drags (guessing they do that there) but useless as a street machine.
Leave it alone or get a half ton or a C20 to turn into a race car. Unless you’re simply after the most eccentric thing you can produce.

Hello my friend again

I expected this kind of reply lol I’m sorry. I already got a blazer and it WAS a lifted truck with a 10 bolt infront but removed it and got the new QA1 clip they just made for the c10 installed to it and transformed ( a guy who I payed) it to a sporty station wagon. I’ve got a c10 as well and rather than dropping it like the 99 percent of c10 owners do, I lifted it. I just want to do something different, I was inspired by zac’s k5 from hoonigan. The only plus I’m doing is adding some sway bars and some ladder bars at the back and I’m going to lower it to its original height. For the question at hand, can I just swap the axle/spindle and keep the original housing (in front) to convert it to a 6 lug? My truck has the 14 bolt in the rear is it possible to do the same at the back and keep the original housing ? Thanks my friend lol

Bextreme04 · Nov 13, 2022

They don't make upgraded brakes for a K20 because the stock brakes are huge.... what do you have now? Is it a semi-float 14 bolt in the rear? My 1980 K25 with stock front brakes and stock rear 14bff with 13x2.5" rear drums will stop my truck on a dime, even with 6k lbs of trailer behind it and a steep downhill. The only reason I could think to need a brake upgrade would be if you plan on autocrossing it and worried about brake fade from the drums getting too hot or are trying to get the weight down. At that point you might as well just get a custom 9" or 12-bolt rear end with whatever brake system you want on it. The 14BFF is about 600lbs of unsprung weight.

chevy79_qa · Nov 13, 2022

Bextreme04 said:
They don't make upgraded brakes for a K20 because the stock brakes are huge.... what do you have now? Is it a semi-float 14 bolt in the rear? My 1980 K25 with stock front brakes and stock rear 14bff with 13x2.5" rear drums will stop my truck on a dime, even with 6k lbs of trailer behind it and a steep downhill. The only reason I could think to need a brake upgrade would be if you plan on autocrossing it and worried about brake fade from the drums getting too hot or are trying to get the weight down. At that point you might as well just get a custom 9" or 12-bolt rear end with whatever brake system you want on it. The 14BFF is about 600lbs of unsprung weight.

I haven’t even drove the truck yet and I’m just planning ahead since I got it, it has been going from garage to garage. The plan is dropping a 572 in it and I’m worried about stopping power. Considered Hydroboost and converting the front to discs but the idea of depending on the PSP doesn’t rest easy with me. The rear is 14BFF and since I’m thinking of changing the bolt pattern infront I’m going to change the rear as well because I’m going to get these KMC wheels https://www.kmcwheels.com/kmc-mesa-forged-beadlock

Bextreme04 · Nov 14, 2022

chevy79_qa said:
I haven’t even drove the truck yet and I’m just planning ahead since I got it, it has been going from garage to garage. The plan is dropping a 572 in it and I’m worried about stopping power. Considered Hydroboost and converting the front to discs but the idea of depending on the PSP doesn’t rest easy with me. The rear is 14BFF and since I’m thinking of changing the bolt pattern infront I’m going to change the rear as well because I’m going to get these KMC wheels https://www.kmcwheels.com/kmc-mesa-forged-beadlock

You aren't going to have any issue with stopping power. The front is already disk brakes... and pretty big ones too. There are tons of guys running around with iron BBC's in K20 and K30 pickups and stock brakes. In fact, the big thing that people do is convert the rear to disk's because they are huge and heavy and way overkill if you aren't towing anything. The disk conversion for the 14BFF takes about 150lbs or some of unsprung weight off the rear.

Grit dog · Nov 14, 2022

chevy79_qa said:
I haven’t even drove the truck yet and I’m just planning ahead since I got it, it has been going from garage to garage. The plan is dropping a 572 in it and I’m worried about stopping power. Considered Hydroboost and converting the front to discs but the idea of depending on the PSP doesn’t rest easy with me. The rear is 14BFF and since I’m thinking of changing the bolt pattern infront I’m going to change the rear as well because I’m going to get these KMC wheels https://www.kmcwheels.com/kmc-mesa-forged-beadlock

Are you using an English translator or do you actually not understand that your truck has/had front disk brakes from the factory?
With the ridiculousness and cubic dollars you’re spending, should be no issue getting someone to hack up your truck some more and put a different rear axle in it as well.

77 K20 · Nov 14, 2022

Bextreme04 said:
You aren't going to have any issue with stopping power. The front is already disk brakes... and pretty big ones too. There are tons of guys running around with iron BBC's in K20 and K30 pickups and stock brakes. In fact, the big thing that people do is convert the rear to disk's because they are huge and heavy and way overkill if you aren't towing anything. The disk conversion for the 14BFF takes about 150lbs or some of unsprung weight off the rear.

I think that is your only option without swapping out axles. Do a disc brake conversion on the 14 bolt. Then get those Wilwood twin piston brake calipers all the way around. And if you did a hydroboost setup you'd have everything you'd ever need.
If that isn't enough then the next step is a drag parachute.

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Frankenchevy · Nov 14, 2022

Grit dog said:
Are you using an English translator or do you actually not understand that your truck has/had front disk brakes from the factory?
With the ridiculousness and cubic dollars you’re spending, should be no issue getting someone to hack up your truck some more and put a different rear axle in it as well.

Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning…

ballencd · Nov 14, 2022

Not just this morning.

85K304SPD · Nov 14, 2022

If money is no object, then throw the current 8 lug axles in the scrap pile and order a custom 9 inch or Dana 60 with the 6 lug axles and a custom built straight axle conversion, without a differential. If you have enough money, somebody will build it and ship it to you. Maybe something similar to a "Baja racing" set up.
Is the truck going to be for Drag racing? What are you going to be using the truck for?
Maybe start with a 2 wheel drive truck.
Help us understand what you are trying to accomplish with this build.
Maybe some pictures of the truck too.

CheemsK1500 · Nov 14, 2022

85K304SPD said:
If money is no object, then throw the current 8 lug axles in the scrap pile and order a custom 9 inch or Dana 60 with the 6 lug axles and a custom built straight axle conversion, without a differential. If you have enough money, somebody will build it and ship it to you. Maybe something similar to a "Baja racing" set up.
Is the truck going to be for Drag racing? What are you going to be using the truck for?
Maybe start with a 2 wheel drive truck.
Help us understand what you are trying to accomplish with this build.
Maybe some pictures of the truck too.

There's been plenty of people put K20/30 axles under a K10, I guess there's no reason it can't be done the other way around. A C10 or C20 would be a simpler platform to work with for a dedicated drag strip piece, but there's no reason a 4x4 couldn't used though. I've seen a lot of put 2wd front end parts on factory 4x4 Blazers to simplify them and allow them to sit lower, since finding a factory 2wd Blazer is rather difficult.

WebMonkey · Nov 14, 2022

this is just a post about 8 lug brake setup in back, nothing more.

my 85 k20 super double xtra heavy duty has the 13" drums in back.

after i rebuilt them, i got a load of sand put in the back.
like a million pounds worth.

the rear brakes had no trouble stopping that load.
60mph to 5mph xtra quick for a 90degree right hand turn.

would probably stop it even with a 747ci v14 in it.

swap axles front and back if you want to go with 6 lug parts, no worries.

the 8 lug stuff will stop anything you can put in the truck though.

good luck,
'monkey

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6 lug conversion

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