Author Topic: will a 3/4 ton brake caliper fit on a 1/2 ton spindle  (Read 3235 times)

Offline G-NUT

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will a 3/4 ton brake caliper fit on a 1/2 ton spindle
« on: June 11, 2014, 03:35:45 PM »
Will a 3/4 ton brake caliper fit on a 1/2 ton spindle?

I ask because I am planning on ordering the full Porterbuilt front dropmember system for my 3/4 ton.  I am going to convert to 5 lug. 

I'm trying to decide whether or not to
  • buy 1/2 ton lowering spindles and have Porterbuilt send me 1/2 ton U/L control arms
OR
  • buy the EarlyClassic 3/4 to 1/2 ton lowering spindles and have Porterbuilt send me 3/4 ton U/L control arms
 

When I posed the question to Porterbuilt they suggested I go with the 1/2 ton U/L control arms and get the 1/2 ton spindles & setup, but they do offer 3/4 ton U/L control arm setups as well and they made it clear either way would yield the same results on their end with my suspension in mind.

Not sure but I believe I have the JB7 h/d brake setup.  I know I have the towing package and the rear end is a 14 bold, 4.11 geared, FF.  I will have to swap this out to a 5-lug rear at some point.

Offline bake74

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Re: will a 3/4 ton brake caliper fit on a 1/2 ton spindle
« Reply #1 on: June 11, 2014, 09:28:53 PM »
     If my memory serves me right, I am going to say no.  But wait till someone else chimes in and confirms or denies.
#1: The easiest and most obvious solution to any problem is 99% of the time correct.
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  74 k10, 77k10    Tom

Offline Engineer

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Re: will a 3/4 ton brake caliper fit on a 1/2 ton spindle
« Reply #2 on: June 12, 2014, 06:46:18 AM »
On 4x4 the calipers interchange between 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton. You only have to be mindful that you don't get the smaller diameter piston calipers mismatched with a large diameter piston on the same vehicle.

Since yours is 2wd I can't say with certainty, but I would assume that they are interchangeable. Again, you would have to verify that you have the same sized pistons on the same truck.
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2001 Chevy 2500HD 4x4 6.0/4L85E EC/SB
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1994 Chevy K-2500 4x4 C6P 5.7/4L80E
1979 Chevy K-30 4x4 4sp 4.10
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Offline roundhouse

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Re: will a 3/4 ton brake caliper fit on a 1/2 ton spindle
« Reply #3 on: June 12, 2014, 07:41:45 AM »
Why go to the trouble of swapping?

Offline bake74

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Re: will a 3/4 ton brake caliper fit on a 1/2 ton spindle
« Reply #4 on: June 12, 2014, 08:34:03 PM »
     I only said no because it is a 2wd.  I believe I have read in here before that the 2wd spindles don't have enough clearance to put 3/4 on a 1/2 ton.  But some of these 2wd experts will see this eventually and respond.
#1: The easiest and most obvious solution to any problem is 99% of the time correct.
#2: There is no such thing as impossible, it just takes longer.
  74 k10, 77k10    Tom

Offline G-NUT

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Re: will a 3/4 ton brake caliper fit on a 1/2 ton spindle
« Reply #5 on: April 08, 2020, 07:27:04 PM »
Forgot I posted up this thread.  I found my 3/4 ton calipers did fit on 1/2 ton BellTech spindles for HD rotors.

Beyond that, I sold the truck and inherited a solid '84 C20 Suburban.  I am just about finished installing my complete Porterbuilt Level 3 front suspension.  Waiting on some odds and in stuff before I put my motor and trans back in.  Then I will start installing the rear stuff.  I have a 10-bolt rear axle that I had rebuilt with 3:73 gears, limited slip diff, narrowed the housing, and installed narrowed Moser 30 spline axles.