2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Rear Axle Swap...drum To Disk????????

[KYOUNG]

Has any one done the 02 axle swap 0n a 98? How did it work out as far as bolting up? Driveshaft, springs, and hoses???

 

[BILLVO]

It all depends on what you have and what you want to go with. I see you have an auto and if it is an original auto truck it has a Dana 70 You could do a Dana 70 disc swap easily It would be a pretty easy swap. the biggest difference would be the brake valve above and attached to rear axle I believe is different. If you are swapping to a Dana 80 then the driveline length will be different and the u-bolt plates on top of spring pack change also. I did a D70 to D80 swap on my 02 staying with discs and all I had to change were the u-bolt plates on top of leaf springs and shorten driveline by 1 inch other than that it was a direct bolt in.



The guy that bought my 02 Dana 70 disc axle has it up for sale now for $900 in North eastern Iowa. PM me for his info if interested.

 

[WilsonF]

OK some one will have to educate me on brakes, will the disks stop you any faster or in a shorter distance? I have read some articles on this and saw no improvement other than brake fade. I have never pushed mine to that limit and have towed some heavy stuff down steep grades. It seems to me to be a lot of work and expense to get very little return. I did upgrade my rear drums w/GM wheel cylinders that helped a great deal, that and keeping the rear drums adjusted has worked just fine for me. OK after all that I did put front disc-brakes on my 60 Impala but that was just so I could say I had front discs on it, didn't stop me any faster. So if I am missing something here please bring me up to speed or as an old boss used to say "Line me out"

Floyd

 

[Batphreak]

Well, here's a basic disertation on Drum and disk brake differences.

Drum brakes are mechanically more efficient that disc brakes. Drums have more surface area to work with so given the same pressure applied will stop better than discs. However, disc brakes are FAR more thermally efficient than drums, they will cool down faster after a braking event. Also discs being a more open design than drums they can shed debris and water much better than drums.

Now front brakes vs. rear brakes. When braking the weight of the vehicle is thrown forward, this makes the front brakes do 80% or so of the braking for a vehicle, this changes a bit when towing especially if the trailer has no brakes of its own.

So based on those basics you can see a few advantages/disadvantages of drums and discs on front vs. rear of a vehicle. Biggest advantage I can see on the rear of a truck is for boat hauling when those brakes get dunked in the lake. As far as brake performance a difference would likely only show up around town after repeated braking events.

$0. 02

 

[AClayton]

I have an early 01' with drums and was considering on swapping to discs and found that brake apply lever that BILLVO mentioned. I disconnected and welded in a 2" added section of round stock and then re-installed... . that was 3 years ago and haven't had any issues with braking performance nor any desire to swap to discs. Just my . 02!!



Alan

 

[KYOUNG]

Maybe I should try the 3 inch wide shoes and see if that helps any, I have had the BIG wheel cylinders on for along time. .

 

[RAndrae]

I converted my 96 to a 02 hydro boost MS and 02 disk rear end, fairly easy swap... I wrote an extensive write up should come up in the search feature. .