Rear Disc Brake Conversion

[TorchRed77Vette]

So, I'm thinking about doing a rear disc brake conversion being one of my drums is leaking fluid, and wondering if anybody has recommendations for a good kit.

I found a thread back from 2006 on this discussion in which over half the links in the thread were broken. So I wanted to bring it back up to see if anyone has recently done it and has any comments.  I found one kit on ebay for $580 (link is below) but don't know how complete it is.  I have already bought a disc brake proportioning valve, but need everything else.  Fitting them in the wheels won't be a problem being I am running 20"s.

78 C10 Fleetside Shortbed

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1971-72-73-74-87-CHEVY-TRUCK-REAR-5-LUG-DISC-BRAKE-KIT-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem27bb1a9778QQitemZ170642806648QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

[1982 Daily Driver]

I just did the conversion on my 82 c-10 and posted pretty much step by step with pictures. Try typing Rear disc brakes in the search and find 1982 Daily The conversion was pretty easy.

[VileZambonie]

A bunch of us have done them just search some more. As far as your drum leaking fluid do you mean the axle seal? Either way you'll need to fix that. You may also need to invest in larger wheels (17" or 18") in many cases to clear the calipers. So if you're doing this because of a $5 dollar leaky seal be prepared to spend close to $2,000 with the conversion, seals, proportioning valve, wheels and tires.

[jsessums89]

Sorry to steal your thunder but i have a c20, 3/4, 8 lug, ten ring gear, do you guys know anyone that sells a disk brake convertion kit for it. thankyou

[HAULIN IT]

Torch, That kit looks like it's made by Right Stuff...I'm working on a 9" rear for an old Mustang & used a kit from them. Not quite done yet, but it looks to be a fairly nice set-up. Those should work with 15" wheels...the parts (calipers & likely the rotors for our trucks, since they were 5 on 5") are from an '80's Seville (the RWD version) they had 15" wheels. Lorne
 

[VileZambonie]

Factory style steel wheels should clear however if you are running a deep dish aluminum 15" wheel I highly doubt they will clear the calipers.

[TorchRed77Vette]

I'm not too worried about the wheel clearance being I have some 20" rims on the truck at the moment.  I think I might go ahead and get that kit and hopefully it won't be too bad to install being I never done any kind of brake swap before.  Any tips y'all have discovered along the way that might help me out would be appreciated.

As for the 8 lug wheels, I found this kit for the brackets and rotors when searching for the 5 lug for myself:

http://www.tsmmfg.com/2630Eaton.htm

[ssapach]

Sky Off-road Design has some brackets for 14-bolt full floater axles

http://www.sky-manufacturing.com/new/detaproduct.php?id=113

[Da67goatman]

I am in the middle of doing the disk conversion on my 14 bolt, I bought my brackets off ebay for 65 bucks, came with bolts and locktight.  I am getting the rest of the stuff from NAPA, I have a contact who gets me stuff at COST.

[80stepsideguy]

I did the conversion as well on my truck.I used a set of fabricated brackets from another forum.I had them powdercoated and installed.I used a set of 94-6 SS impala rear calipers,i bought a set of braided lines off of ebay and used a new set of discs for the impala as well.Unfortanetly there is no E brake cause i was told the housing on  our trucks are so large the e brake assembly wont work on the trucks rearend.

thanks
Pat

[Da67goatman]

Anyone who has done the rear disk conversion:  Did you increase the line size to supply the additional fluid needed for calipers?  If not, how do the brakes feel and perform?  I am trying to determine whether I want to replace all my brake lines or just the lines on the axle.  Thanks, and sorry for the thread jack.

[VileZambonie]

DA67 google pascals law and hydraulic force. You will see you don't need to replace your lines.

[Da67goatman]

Vile:  From what I read, Pascals law does not address volume, only pressure.  Calipers require more fluid volume at lower pressure than wheel cylinders.  So back to my question, will 3/16" line feed 2 calipers sufficiently, or should I increase line diameter to 1/4"?  And does the master cylinder move then same amount of fluid in each of the 2 circuits or does it move more fluid for the front disks?  Thanks.

[ssapach]

I did a disc brake conversion on the rear end of my Toyota pickup.  Used calipers from a Cadillac as they had the e-brake within them as well.

There is a valve involves, and I can't for the life of me remember what the proper name is, but essentially it's a low pressure check valve.  When you use your brakes, it holds back maybe 2-3 psi just to keep the pistons full and extended to where the pads just touch the disc.

I was told this isn't always a requirement for disc brake conversions, but is recommended.  It depends on your master cylinder as well, as some will be able to supply enough volume in a short stroke, while other smaller master cylinders cannot.

In the end, I bought a master cylinder meant for Toyota disc brake conversions.

If I was misinformed, please be gentle with the flaming.....as I'm only repeating information that was given to me.

[VileZambonie]

Vile:  From what I read, Pascals law does not address volume, only pressure.  Calipers require more fluid volume at lower pressure than wheel cylinders.  So back to my question, will 3/16" line feed 2 calipers sufficiently, or should I increase line diameter to 1/4"?  And does the master cylinder move then same amount of fluid in each of the 2 circuits or does it move more fluid for the front disks?  Thanks.

You missed the part where I said "and hydraulic force" and the part where I said you don't need to replace the lines.

ssapach: I believe you are referring to a quick take up master cylinder for use with low drag disc brakes.