front disc brakes on a 1965 GMC van

Hello everybody, I'm a new member. I have a question, I want to install front disc brakes on my 65 gmc van and is there a ready made kit that I can purchase and install on my van. Any help will be appreciated . Thank you.

how about put down what state you are in,,,,,,,

Yes and No, there are a few custom makers of the brackets that are only produced in small batches (10-20 pairs at a time when they get enough orders), you have to check the forums for when they come around, a batch was just made but I think its sold out, JoeVan would know?  Then you use one of several GM made calipers and hubs that fit, but there is no all-in one kit specifically for these vans.  

True?? yet= We all KNOW = ----- we just Cant leave anything =ALONE!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome to VV..!!!...M1dadio makes the brackets and has the kits available also PM him to see if he has any left from the last batch like Vantasia said he only makes about 20 sets each year or so but IMO they are the best ones available that I have seen so far and you don't have to relocate the front shocks or sway bar..."Bolt On" I just bought a set myself..!!!...Good Luck. ...

Donivan, is there anyone making the BZ brackets like in your pic? This is what I installed on my 64 and will be converting two more in the future. 4wheel power disc brakes just like before!

Well RIP,,as I sit here and watch over the years,,,,,,every van and brackets become available,,,,,,I got mine back in the 90's,,,,,,,I did have a back up plan in case someone stole mine off my van van when I was not looking,,,,,,I made a template out of wood,,,,,,then eventually I transferred it to a metal plate and I let VanAgain practice cutting them out a while back,,,,,,,,these brackets could of originally been made for something like a 32 roadster or something,,,,,,,then, M1D decided to modify and have some made up,,,,,,so maybe someone here can add to my story,,,,,,,and maybe M1D can refresh my memory of the differences in his M1D80ta, M1DK10n,,and   M1D2Kv  brackets,,,,like whether he used the complete new Chevy Nova rotor or just hung a hat rotor over  the original hub,,,,,we need to keep passing on our information to our new members to keep the vans on the road,,,,,,,,

I had made a version of the BZ bracket using the nova rotor except you didn't have to relocte the shocks if you used my design M1DK10N.

The M1D80TA is the most popular one using the firebird Hat type rotor on your hub.

The M1D2KV is the hat type 12" corvette rotor using your hub.

all my designs did not distrub the shocks or steering arms , in some ssituations minor mods needed to be done to the sway bar brackets.

I don't have any brackets availible right now, you can put your name on my list for M1D80TA and in about a year I may make another batch. OR if you want brackets right now, 108vanguy has a bunch of brackets in all types and might sell you a set. He can be found through VCVC.org

M1D

I am satisfied with the BZ brackets. If they are not available I will duplicate mine locally. I don't mind a little extra work to install. I'm not running any high performance rigs.

It's a vantastic thing M1D has done for us, don't get me wrong.

No worries here RipVanArlie. It dosn't bother me what another vanner's preferenses are.  I'm just puttin out some information, and to let you know  where you can find what your lookin for.

What Don is saying about the BZ brackets being made for early street rods and/or Gassers is right. Historiclly it makes sence. The GM Van axle was in abundance and cheep for people building GM hot rods so it seems natural that someone would make up a disc brake conversion for that application in those days. ( I think there was also a predesessor to the BZ bracket.) Naturally vanners would then, put them on thier vans. They (BZ brackets) work fine. I started with a set of BZ brackets in 2006 I aquired from 108vanguy (he's got a bunch).I came to believe they weren't made specificaly for the vans, which is what led me to improvments by designing brackets that are specificaly made for the van, best fit to the van, less modification to the van translating into less work to install and improved drivability while also trying to keep the costs down. So I have to say the BZ bracket played an important roll in an evolutionary process leading to the re-development of other designs we have today.

I consider the BZ bracket to be "gennuine Old School" early disc brakes. The way it was done back then; just like wood bumpers, port hole windows, fender flairs, theam interiors and murals of the 60's and 70's. The M1D brackets are just a new millennia thing like LED lights, computirised fuel injection and overdrive auto transmisions. There is a million different reasons Vanners pick what they want on thier van, its not to be judged one way or the other.


M1D