Dana 70 disc conversion

[Thierry]

Finally found someone that is making kits for the dana 70 and 60 rear ends. Ordered a complete kit and will keep everyone posted on how it works out when I install it on my 91 Ramcharger Diesel.



Thierry

 

[TShikoski]

Thanks Thierry, I am chomping at the bit. I am about to launch a brake job on my '92. Was going to switch to 3" shoes, but may now wait to hear about your experiences. Please keep us posted.

Tom

 

[Paul Herioux]

I'm too cheap to buy the pre-assembled kit so I'm piecing my own system together. I'm using the calipers and mounting brackets from my 79 W250 Dana 44. I'll be cutting adapter plates out of 3/4"-1" steel plate to mount the caliper adaptors in place of the current backing plates. I'm still waiting for an e-mail from my NAPA brakes rep for I part number for a rotor with the correct backspacing. Once I have the rotors in hand I'll be able to figure out the exact thickness of my adaptor plate. If in the future I decide that I need an e-brake I'll install a driveline brake. Probably won't happen though as the previous owner was the one how cut out all of the parking brake components including the levers in the drums:--) .

I will post when I get it done, hopefully with some pictures.

 

[R.E. Miller]

THANK YOU!

I was hoping that someone would find a kit, I hate playing the drums Please keep us posted.



Ski,

My personal opinion on the 3" shoe thing is that if you can get disks, go for it. My dually had three inch shoes, I just went to 2. 5", and I cannot tell the difference at all Could just be me though



Russell

 

[Thierry]

Here is the site

Disc conversion site



http://tsmmfg.com



Check it out, should be recieving my kit and Mico Lock handbrake from them early next week.



I will keep every one posted of the results.





Thierry

 

[TShikoski]

Quick Response

Hi All,

Sent an inquiry to the brake guys last night. Asked for a quote and availability. Got the answer today - great response time. I think I'll order some... ...

Tom

PS here is the response for those who are interested:



TSM MFG CO. , INC.

4321 E. WILLOW CREEK ROAD, CASTLE ROCK CO 80104-9766

(303) 688-6882 FAX (303) 660-4660 TSMMFG@AOL. COM

WEB: TSMMFG. COM



Thank you for your inquiry. The rear kit, with rotors, is $299. 95 a pair Part # 2680. The basic kit includes rotors, brackets and bolts. Rebuilt calipers, with a parking brake, 76-78 El Dorado are $300. 00 a pair Part # 3120. Stainless hoses are also $50. 00 a pair Part # 3702-8. Freight to 49686 is $ 44. 75 for the above listed parts. Your total would be $ 694. 70. We accept Master Card, Visa, M. O. , COD, or Check. Checks must clear before order is shipped. Cod charge is $8. 00 more.



We have a website under construction. Click on the link to go right to our site. tsmmfg.com

Sincerely,

Skip

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

OK this sounds great BUT, what about the master Cyc. ? Disk brakes need more brake fluid. can our master cyc. support rear disk brakes ?

Kyle

 

[m715]

I'd wonder about that also... here's some thoughts:

1 - would the stock master cylinder be able to move enough fluid

2 - What about the porpotioning valve? its setup for disc/drum,

would you need to get an adjustible one?

3- El Dorado calipers do have parking brake ability, but would they be big enough for a 3/4-1 ton truck? That's a very common swap onto the CJ jeeps...

4 - and what size rotors are they running?



On one of the axles I'm putting in my jeep has rear discs... it has a 3/4" welded on brakect (guy out of FL cuts them), big dual piston calipers off I believe the front of a '97 1 ton ford van, and then the common 1ton chevy rotor, quite simple and looks like it will have lots of stoping power



I think rear discs is a great idea... I'd like to see someone who have all the parts together and is working well



#ad


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[CrewCabDiesel]

So whats up with the disk brake conversion ? I am going to buy drums soon if no one has an answer

Kyle

 

[Thierry]

Kyle, have them installed and they will only work for the single rear wheels



First kit I got was for the 94 and up Dana 70's

Called and the fellow from TSM Skip made a mistake on the years and sent me another kit for the older trucks ( I had to pay extra )

The kit installed ok, 3 or 4 phone calls later as when I pushed my 1/2 studs out, 5 were badly scored ( someone had run the truck with loose wheel nuts ) when I went to install the new one and all the good ones found that the spot faces where the studs seat on the new discs were not big enough, phone call and quick look at the 94 kit and found they were spotfaced bigger ( for 9/16-18

studs) went to use them and finally decided to go with 9/16 studs instead of the 1/2. I will be putting 35-36 inch tire down the line.



Had the new caliper fitting but had to grind some excess material to stop them from binding in the instructions, found per conversation with Skip to add extra spacers to allow the calliper to move.

No good having the outer stationary pads hard up to the rotor, I amy have warped the rotor but decided to just go with it and wwhat a difference in stopping, looks like I actually have rear brakes with out having to adjust them at all times.

I have 400 miles now since I did them



So far really happy, email me if you want extra info.



Good talking to you Kyle

 

[TShikoski]

Rear Disks

OK Guys, just received the parts today. Stuff came in two boxes and was well packed. Box with rotors and brackets was 58 lbs, rotor box was 38 lbs. First look - nice workmanship on the parts. Clean, no rough edges, and bright. Came with manual which shows installation for all their products. Pictures, but short on "how to" I would sugggest this looks like a "four wrench" job, but I'll tell you more later. I will take digital pics and try and show everyone the process. I am committed for this holiday weekend (too bad!), but will start sometime next week.

 

["Mad Max"]

conversion update/status?

Fellas - Found this thread via search, and wanted to ask those of you that did the conversion - How are your brakes?

I'm looking to do the same conversion, and TSM is still in business, and I really wanted to know your thoughts on the kit and the performance.

Many thanks,

- Sam

 

[TShikoski]

Disc Brakes

Well Sam, three years later and approximately 60K miles, I am about to pull the rear wheels and inspect the pads. They have perfromed with out any problems or questionalble stopping power. I have carried a slide-in camper in old Rosie for many of those miles and loaded, I guess it would add another 2K lbs (+ or -) to the overall weight of the truck. I would do it again if I had the need. The only hassle was that I had to run a new brake lines and shorten the emergency brake cable to accomodate the different configuration. I would be glad to assist in any reasonable way possible (wife would not put up with a road trip to Colorado or someplace else nice!), so drop me a line if you need some moral support.



Tom

 

[LOtero]

lookin forward to hearing how it goes!

 

["Mad Max"]

right on thanks a ton. Words of experience are priceless on something like this - I appreciate the feedback. Making the call tomorrow. Their calipers are cheaper than NAPA's, at least as listed on their website. NAPA didn't have the ElDorado Calipers anywhere in the country, so if they got 'em I'll just do the whole kit and keep it simple.

Again, many thanks.

- S

 

[steveinaz]

here's a recent article on the conversion

http://www.off-road.com/toyota/tech/dana70discbrakes/

I've had the parts to do mine for a year now but haven't got around to mine yet. SteveinAZ

 

[CGauthier]

Wow, good job diggin up this old thread bud, I had no idea this conversion even existed

 

[steveinaz]

This is who you can buy the brackets from

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=266536

SteveinAZ

 

["Mad Max"]

Good stuff Steve - Thanks! It looks like one of the biggest differences in price is if the calipers have the provision for an e-brake or not. I need the e-brake so I need to go the El Dorado route. Plus, TSM is about a half hour North of me so I can save some $ on shipping by going up to Castle Rock.

Cheers -

- S

 

[BHiggins]

There was a thread posted several months ago on the disc conversion and most people who had it done were not happy with the outcome. Most reported that the pedal was VERY low and VERY soft, like it was severely air bound, only it wasn't. No matter how many times the system was bled (power bled, or manual) the low mushy pedal wouldn't go away.

I would suggest you do a thread search for more info before you commit, I did and decided to stay with the drums.