Finally got it in
 

Started out as a $20 brake job, one month & $450 later, I've finally have the upgraded to rear discs. Had to change rearends (because I couldn't remove the spider gear pin out of the old one) shorten the driveshaft, replace all the bearings, removed a leaf to drop it just a bit but over all I think it looks pretty good. The discs are from a 98-02 LS1 & the rearend is an early 70's Camaro.

http://inlinethumb54.webshots.com/26...500x500Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb47.webshots.com/43...500x500Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb52.webshots.com/25...500x500Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb46.webshots.com/19...500x500Q85.jpg http://inlinethumb46.webshots.com/40...500x500Q85.jpg

Re: Finally got it in
 

Nice work, I always wonder why it end up costing twice or more for a job or mod we thought would not cost that much.

Tri5

Re: Finally got it in
 

Nice work!

I have a friend who estimates the cost of projects using "John's rule of twos". First do a hard estimate of expected cost. Then multiply by two. Then do it again. He seems to almost always be prepared for what his projects really cost.

But then his rule would not get you from $20 to $450....

I almost bought a rear disk conversion at a swap meet a while back. It was only $100 and I'm thinking this should be a no-brainer. But then I thought about all the likely unexpected additional costs and walked away.

In retrospect its still tempting but I guess a little late to do anything about it...

Re: Finally got it in
 

It really wasn't supposed to be as extensive (and expensive) as it turned out. I bought the brakes off Ebay for $130. When I removed the axle cover from the rearend I discovered a mixture of heavy sludge & water. Tried to remove the spider gear pin and found that locking bolt had sheared off making it virturally impossible to get out. After several hours of trying to hammer, grind & drill it out, I found that too much hammering wasn't the best thing for the housing as faced the fact that I'd be better off buying a new rearend. Then I remembered the one I had in the backyard. I measured it found it to be 4" longer than the Chevy II I was currently using & the purches lined up perfectly. But I found out that all the bearing needed to be replaced. That was $80 (on sale) + $120 to have them installed. Ended up having to buy a set of wedges to correct the pinion angle ($20). Then add the cost of new pads, oil & a set of parking brake clevis and you're well over $450. Oh well, at least I shouldn't have a problem stopping it now.

Re: Finally got it in
 

Should be easier to stop. Unfortunately, you're $450 out of gas money so it may go no where to start with!

Sharp truck, by the way.

Re: Finally got it in
 

I can always siphon gas from the lawn mower!