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2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Converting to rear disc brakes?

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Has anyone converted the rear brakes on their trucks to disc? I have an early 2001 and i'm pretty sure that in 2001. 5 they came with rear disc. If you did, how much did it cost you and where did you get the parts? Or are people satisfied with their drums?
 
Brakes

Has anyone converted the rear brakes on their trucks to disc? I have an early 2001 and i'm pretty sure that in 2001. 5 they came with rear disc. If you did, how much did it cost you and where did you get the parts? Or are people satisfied with their drums?



I went with EGR's rear disc conversion on my '99 and it definitely greatly enhanced the braking. Panic stops were no longer 'white knuckle" experiences. You do end up with sub par parking brakes and longer pedal travel though. I'm going to let others in here for their experiences.
 
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I have drum brakes and can say that I honestly that I like them and will keep them around until I can find a 2001. 5 or 2002 axle with all of the hardware for it. I spoke to a guy who was going to do the EGR disc brake conversion but after being told that the caliper is off of a caddy and the rotor is off of a ford that made him a bit nervous, but I may be wrong on that. The factory stuff is by far better than any conversion and there are some good products out by EBC brake. Andrew
 
I did the EGR conversion to my drum rear last summer. Also did front slotted rotors, braided lines on all fours and 5. 1 brake fluid. I'm fairly happy with the rear discs but I wish I had tried the bigger rear brake cylinder upgrade with the drums before I called EGR. I think I could've saved a lot of money and gotten close to the same results. As far as a whole different axle type conversion... I'm no help there. The EGR conversion isn't hard to do, just messy as all brake work is.
Good luck on your decision.
Chuck
 
Although I have rear drums on mine, I have 4 wheel ABS, so I'm not going to mess with my setup.

As posted above I did the EGR conversion and I also have 4wheel ABS. I didn't do any mods to the proportioning valve on the rear axle and everything worked as well as I could expect. As others have posted, my parking brake doesn't hold as firmly as stock and that's the only real functionality issue that I wish the EGR conversion could improve, otherwise it's a cost/benefit/analysis issue from that pt in my view. I just wish I had spent the time and much less money to do the GM rear wheel cylinder upgrade first to see if that would have improved the braking issue to the point I'm at now. I was looking for a more 'balanced' brake system. Before the conversion the fronts were taking a majority of the load, and the rear drums, even with constant rear shoe adjusts every 3k miles were not doing much work, esp when towing. In that regard the EGR conversion worked out well. I have virtually no brake dust on the front and can feel the rears are much more effective. That alone was worth the price and hassle of doing the conversion with EGR kit. Don't know anything about a axle conversion.
Chuck
 
I did the EGR conversion to my drum rear last summer. Also did front slotted rotors, braided lines on all fours and 5. 1 brake fluid. I'm fairly happy with the rear discs but I wish I had tried the bigger rear brake cylinder upgrade with the drums before I called EGR. I think I could've saved a lot of money and gotten close to the same results. As far as a whole different axle type conversion... I'm no help there. The EGR conversion isn't hard to do, just messy as all brake work is.

Good luck on your decision.

Chuck



I removed the proportioning valve per D/C TSB,tried bigger wheel cylinders,different rotor combos,pads etc. If you can find a 2001. 5 axle that's the way to go. Other than that,you'll need to go with a newer truck. My '07 has great brakes.
 
I have the 01. 5 that came with the rear discs but I noticed that on the trucks with the rear drums, the master cylinder is about a quarter the size of the ones with rear discs. Anyone know why the difference in size? Also, if you convert, do you change the master also?
 
I did the EGR swap and I love it. ! no brake fade when towing heavy, no adjustment, no frozen drums in icy weather when parked. . Yes calipers are off a GM car... but the front of it. . should be good enough for the rear of a truck. . pads don't wear fast and they work good. . A good way to get better hold on the P-brake, hold the foot brake hard then apply the P-brake. . works good. Def. worth the price. have had mine on for over 4 years.
 
A person one time ground off the mount for the drum so the axle tube was smooth and made a mount from steel for the Stock Caliper mount and welded it on. Then all it was to get the stock parts for a 02 truck and bolt it up. last I heard it did OK. If you are able to fabricate Steel parts and weld good, then go for it.

Otherwise the EGR brake system is good. I have had no issues for all the time I have had it/ I also added this item here http://www.brakeguard.com/ This adds line pressure when putting brakes on, cuts stopping distance on all vehicles. Just gets put on the brake line by the master cyl. and thats it. Sorta like a Air over Hydraulic system.
 
Supposedly doing the disk upgrade takes 70 pounds of weight off the rear end. Should make a noticeable difference in unsprung weight. Any truth to the 70 lb reduction?

Another thing, when the rear pads wear out, the calipers need redone or rotors replaced can you pick up replacements at local part retailers? I know brake life will be good and should last a lot of miles but I'd be more willing to spring for the conversion if replacement parts are easily available vs. only available from EGR.
 
That's the kit PDR Diesel has installed on a trial basis and was thinking about carrying. Not sure if they ever went through with it or not.
 
This has all been very interesting. I might have to pull my wheels off and just take a look to see if i can make something work, my buddy has a water jet machine that might help a little.

Does any one know of the part numbers for the larger wheel cylinders? The Chevy or Dodge?
 
I too have the EGR rear disc conversion, upgraded front calipers, slotted rotors, and braided line all around. I am absolutely glad I did the conversion and I love the results!!! The truck actually stops! I finally have confidence tailgating people and will actually let my girlfriend drive now! Definitely worth the money!
 
BWagnaar, If your friend has a water jet you can make brackets real easy. For calipers Cadillac rear calipers for a '76-'78 Eldorado will work if you want and emergency brake. If you don't, front calipers from from a late seventies Chevy 3/4 ton truck will work. For Rotors order front rotors for the same Chevy truck. You might have to machine the centers slightly to get over the hub. For the Eldorado calipers you need to order a pair of emergency brake arms and return springs from GM. I don't know the part numbers. For emergency brakes cables and brake hoses your on your own. You also need longer wheel studs that have a longer mounting area because the rotors are mounted on the back of the hub with the wheel studs holding the rotor to the hub. You will also need to fabricate some bracket spacers if you want a bolt on system or you could make brackets and weld then on. I 've been looking into doing this to my truck. The price of some of these kits is ridiculous.
I haven't done anything yet, this is just what I researched so far.
-Glen
 
good input! diy baby! anyone (except me!) can just throw money at things and have no idea how or why from what it came from. somebody has to do the r&d for the first one so all the slackers can buy a copy kit and cry if it doesnt bolt on perfectly 'cause then it takes an effort!! dont get me wrong im glad we can get the upgrades i just like it better when i know how it was done other than hearing "i dont know, thats how i wanted it, and i had so&so's shop do it. " my $. 02 . :)
 
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