2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Dodge 2500 to Chevy 3500 Wheel Cylinders Conversion= Night and Day!

[EBottema]

I just did my rear brakes and axle seals and felt it was time to upgrade the rear drums to a real wheel cylinder.



Dodge 2500's come with a 15/16 bore wheel cylinder from the factory.

The Mid 90's chevy 3500 trucks come with a 1 3/16 wheel cylinder from the factory.

That is 1/4 inch bigger bore in the chevy which makes for a higher pressure stop. After installing the new wheel cylinders which are a direct bolt in with no modifications, these brakes are much improved.



They are worth the 20 bucks in parts!



Erik

 

[SRadke]

Does this mod work on first gen 250's as well?

 

[EBottema]

SRadke, are the wheel cylinders on a 1st gen the same design as the 2nd gen ones?



If so, they should work fine

 

[SRadke]

Are the wheel cylinders on a 1st gen the same design as the 2nd gen ones?

I dunno?

 

[EBottema]

SRad-

When did you sell your 12v??



Anyways, when i am at the parts store i will look at see if there is a difference, if someone can post a shot of a 1st gen wheel cylinder i can give you an idea if it will work



erik

 

[SRadke]

My 'ol 96 has been sold since 03. She's still around though, sold to the neighbor to replace a 6. 9 in a Furd. Needless to say he's impressed



I'm gunna dig into the wheel cylinder thing for the first gen's a bit. I've got a friend that does a lot of towing with a 92 and he's about 3:1 front brakes to rear brakes.



-Scott

 

[SRadke]

My searching looks like it will work. The pads are also upgradeable to 3" width in those years. Here is a pic, does this look similar to yours?



#ad

 

[Signal73]

Can we get a complete parts list for the conversion if its not too much trouble, Ths is on the LONG list of things to accomplish for me in the warmer months... . Thanks, Jim

 

[JSienkowski]

Jim, I have the NAPA part number for the wheel cylinder..... it's in a pile on my desk... ...

 

[Mundgyver]

Would this mod be applicable for a 2001 and if you have ABS how does it affect that system



Sounds like a good thing so far.

 

[JSienkowski]

Jim, the part number I have is NAPA 4637337, I haven't had time to go match them up to the Dodge W/C but will when I go order my radiator, wanted to do the same thing to my truck... I bet yours will be easier!!

 

[EBottema]

Hey guys-

You will need these parts:

(2) Rear Wheel Cylinders for a 1996 Chevy 3500 Truck (both sides same number)

(1) New Hardware kits for your model year dodge. .



That is all you need. Just bolt on and install. Then flush and bleed your brakes.



Should work on all 1994-2001 vehicles with rear drums. Made a huge difference on my truck.

 

[Signal73]

Jim, the part number I have is NAPA 4637337, I haven't had time to go match them up to the Dodge W/C but will when I go order my radiator, wanted to do the same thing to my truck... I bet yours will be easier!!

Hey guys-

You will need these parts:

(2) Rear Wheel Cylinders for a 1996 Chevy 3500 Truck (both sides same number)

(1) New Hardware kits for your model year dodge. .



That is all you need. Just bolt on and install. Then flush and bleed your brakes.



Should work on all 1994-2001 vehicles with rear drums. Made a huge difference on my truck.

Thanks + Thanks...

 

[Cummins360]

thats cool i think im gonna do that

 

[Coalsmoke]

I don't really get it, my dodge will already lock up the rears before the fronts as it is, do I have an abnormal truck?

 

[rubberneck]

The chevy cylinders will work on a first gen. We put them on my dad's 92. Only thing you will have to do is tweak the lines a little bit as they enter at a different angle.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Are the Chevy 1 3/16 wheel cylinders larger than the Dodge 3500 1 ton cylinders? I swapped mine about 6 years ago to the 3500's. Remember the "Brake Salvation" thread.

 

[RRevett]

I took my 1996 to the Dealer and they changed mine to the 1 ton cylinders for free. That was in about 1998.



Bob R

1996 2WD SLT 3:54 with only 60. 000 miles

 

[EBottema]

Are the Chevy 1 3/16 wheel cylinders larger than the Dodge 3500 1 ton cylinders? I swapped mine about 6 years ago to the 3500's. Remember the "Brake Salvation" thread.

The Dodge 2500 is 15/16" 0. 9375

The Dodge 3500 is 1 1/16" 1. 0625 ~12% increase bore size

The Chevy 3500 is 1 3/16" 1. 1875 ~25% increase bore size



Upgrading to a Dodge 3500 would make a difference but not as drastic as a Chevy 3500



If someone wants, i can post pics of a stock wheel cylinder to see if it fits a first gen.



`Erik

 

[SRadke]

I'd like to clarify that math a little using the measurements in the last post. Because hydraulics deal with square area, not diameter, those precentages are decieving.



A 1 1/16" cylinder will have 28% more push than a 15/16" cylinder at the same pressure.



A 1 3/16" cylinder will have 60% more push than a 15/16" cylinder at the same pressure.



By switching from a 15/16" cylinder to a 1 3/16" cylinder you've added 60% more braking power to your rear brakes.



-Scott