2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission rear disc conversion for a '99 ??

[continentaldrifter]

I'm looking to convert to rear discs. I ran search on "rear disc" and came across a thought. The cost for a conversion boggles me when all your talking about are all OEM parts. I read a thread from ERIC12,and he stated the calipers are from a 1977 Olds Toronado,thats 33% of the equation,all you need to find out is where the rotor comes from. Then order a WHITEY part # SS-83KFT2,which is nothing more than an inline ball valve good for 6000 psi or use a standard line lock. Then go down in the basement,machine a bracket, flare your own lines,and your ready to boogie.

---OR---

What are the differences between a 2001. 5 and later factory disc-equipped axle and a 1999 axle,are the spring center pins the same width from spring perch to spring perch?Would'nt it be faster and cheaper to drop the old rear out and slap a newer disc equiped rear in? Please correct me if im wrong or let us know where to order the rear rotor. Thanx

 

[EricBu12]

One Guy did do the Factory OEM parts and he found out he had to hack off the ear tabs on the axle, grind smooth, make a triangle shaped piece of metal with the hole in the center to weld on the axle then the OEM parts bolted right on... .



EGR Makes a good set, I guess you could find all the parts and make your own brackets. My Rotor had to go on the back of the hub so new studs were needed (longer... . in the kit... ) Also you need a spacer for where the drum was but is not now... there is a step ridge that needs to be held away from the rims otherwise they get pressed onto the hub... .

I also got the slotted front rotors and carbon Kevlar pads.

 

[Big White Beast]

That was me......

EGR still doesn't make anything for the 3500's. Yes it would be quicker and easier to find a whole rear end with disc's already on. Good luck with the search. You only have 2001. 5 & 2002 trucks to look at and the junk yards don't have many.



I'd be curious if an 03 rear end would fit. They have the larger discs. I know they switched to American instead of Dana that year but it may still be a bolt on type thing.



Either way whatever you do the braking power will be much better with rear discs. That and the fronts seem to be lasting way longer now.



Good luck,



Garrett

 

[Chipstien]

Do they make front drum conversion kits. I can't stand disk brakes... ... haven't had a set that didn't warp. Oh, drums last longer too. Seems a waste of money to me.

 

[Big White Beast]

Actually,

Since converting the rears to discs the front seem to be taking less heat. Even with the drilled rotors on the front they warped when I had my drums in the rear. Now that they are actually handling some of the load the front are lasting better and no signs of warping.



But hey, that's just me. Actual results may vary



Garrett

 

[Chipstien]

Actually my Ram hasn't warped yet. My Dakota had warped rotors by the time it had 10000 miles. Come to find out my Dakota had bad rear drums and could have been fixed for free. Seems my problem with disc brakes have stemmed from the Fords I have owned over the years. Still leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

 

[Big White Beast]

I feel your pain.......

Only mine happened on the 2000 Durango, just a Dakota station wagon. Less than 10K miles and jerked to a stop all the time. Haven't really looked into it yet but the problem is probably the rears out of adjustment and the fronts working too hard.



There should be a law on brake sizes for these and other vehicles. Seems the manufacturers just get cheap when it comes to stopping.



Enough ranting for a Sunday morning... ...



Garrett