Rear disk brakes on tow rig?

CrustyJeep · Jan 8, 2007

I'm considering doing disk brakes on the rear of my 1/2 ton GMC tow rig, using weld on brackets and GM front calipers. I know jobless did it to his old Ford tow rig, and I now demand that he post up his impressions

Anybody else ever done this or have thoughts on the matter?

Lucky Jeff · Jan 8, 2007

I always wanted to try it on my old highboy with the same chevy Calipers. But it already locked up real easy with the drums. I know I'd have a hell of a time setting them up properly. But then I'd be afraid they were too soft when towing.

Not Jobless · Jan 9, 2007

CrustyJeep said:
I'm considering doing disk brakes on the rear of my 1/2 ton GMC tow rig, using weld on brackets and GM front calipers. I know jobless did it to his old Ford tow rig, and I now demand that he post up his impressions Anybody else ever done this or have thoughts on the matter?

Dude...that was the ****

Huge difference between the drums and discs. It was like driving a race car :redneck:

I didn't mod the master at all, just calipers, brackets, rotors, wheel studs & brake lines...just an afternoon of fun :flipoff:

Not Jobless · Jan 9, 2007

Sweeeet

Lucky Jeff · Jan 9, 2007

oooohhhhh dats priddy.... wish I could do that to the Ram.

CrustyJeep · Jan 9, 2007

3/4 ton rotors on there Brad?

I'd have to stick with 1/2 ton I think to fit in my 15" wheels.

CrustyJeep · Jan 9, 2007

Lucky Jeff said:
oooohhhhh dats priddy.... wish I could do that to the Ram.

Why can't you? Looks easy, if'n you don't mind losing the e-brake.

Lucky Jeff · Jan 9, 2007

I don't think they make the brackets for mine.. atleast I've never heard of it.. And I thought all of them used half ton front calipers for the rear? Never heard of the 3/4 ton ones being used.

Not Jobless · Jan 9, 2007

CrustyJeep said:
3/4 ton rotors on there Brad?

I'd have to stick with 1/2 ton I think to fit in my 15" wheels.

Depends on your wheel pattern. I used the 3/4's cause I needed the 8 lug, the wheels were 16.5's I think.

You may have to grind the outside of the calipers to get them to fit a 15" rim....nothing uncommon

Not Jobless · Jan 9, 2007

Lucky Jeff said:
I don't think they make the brackets for mine.. atleast I've never heard of it.. And I thought all of them used half ton front calipers for the rear? Never heard of the 3/4 ton ones being used.

The difference between the chevy 1/2 & 3/4 ton front calipers is like a 1/16" to 1/8" inch in the piston diameter.

Not Jobless · Jan 9, 2007

CrustyJeep said:
Why can't you? Looks easy, if'n you don't mind losing the e-brake.

You can use the older eldorado calipers that have an ebrake setup

CrustyJeep · Jan 9, 2007

Jobless said:
You can use the older eldorado calipers that have an ebrake setup

True dat, but they wouldn't provide the clamping force of the larger 1/2 or 3/4 ton fronts.

Harvester of Sorrow · Jan 9, 2007

My rig has the 3/4 ton 8 lug stuff on my rear 60...

My rig has 15" rims...

Just do a little fit, spin, and grind the casting flashing as needed...

TreeClimber · Jan 9, 2007

Glen,
Why limit it to the 15 inch rims? Candidly, now would be the time to consider upgrading the whole axle to a 60 or 14 bolt. As factory disc braked rears are becoming more prevalent, you should be able to wrecking yard shop for a suitable replacement, and swap everything - gears, shafts, brakes - all at once. Yeah, you'll eventually have to get rims and tires (and swap over the front too, eventually) but the rims can be bought cheap as new-take-offs, and eventually everyone needs tires.
Tony

Cascade_Crawler · Jan 9, 2007

Glen while your at it you might as well buy a CTD :flipoff:

CrustyJeep · Jan 9, 2007

TreeClimber said:
Glen,
Why limit it to the 15 inch rims? Candidly, now would be the time to consider upgrading the whole axle to a 60 or 14 bolt.

Oh I know, I know... But the front end had to be rebuilt from the ground up, so that sucked up the dough. I already opted for 6-lug front conversion rotors, so it'll have to stick for a few years. I didn't want the extra expense of a rear axle (that I would rebuild), plus wheels, plus tires.