4wd rear disc brake conversion
 

Well, I'm back to begin working on my truck again. I've noticed that I'm not getting as much braking power as I used to. I wand to re-do my brakes and go with rear discs and a 1ton booster and master cylinder/prop valve combo. Who's had the best/economical results????

Re: 4wd rear disc brake conversion
 

You still running a half ton rear? Keep in mind that doing a disc conversion on the rear necessitates a different approach on a parking / emergency brake.

Re: 4wd rear disc brake conversion
 

What do I need? I've been looking on the board and haven't really found what I need. You still in town?

Re: 4wd rear disc brake conversion
 

Tam has the best version with the enrage problems figured out. Not the cheapest but the most complete. That or you can swap in a newer axle with disks on it already. Then at least if it needs anything it is off the shelf parts at the parts store. Mines a jumble of parts that if something goes wrong might be harder to find a fix for.

Re: 4wd rear disc brake conversion
 

Just a comment but I was contemplating the same conversion .I was under the impression the the Olds Tornado rear disc brake had a manual "e"brake cylinder ? Ive been trying to confirm this and also some one else on this board had a kit for the rear brake backing plates as well as all part numbers for the wheel cylinder although I don't think I got those part numbers with the kit I purchased

Re: 4wd rear disc brake conversion
 

I once built myself a rear disc brake setup for my blazer when I changed over to 3/4 ton gear, using a dana 60. A 14 bolt would not be much different. The main components for the axle I started with was cutting a new backing plate from some 1/4" plate to replace the drum backing plate and hold my callipers, 3/4 ton discs from a mid 70's truck front end, and I believe 77-78 rear callipers from a cadillac eldorado. There were a bunch of little odds and ends I had to pick up at the parts store as I was figuring it all out, like the wheel studs all had to be changed out to slightly longer ones, and I had to figure out how to tie in the E-brake cables to the lever on the calipers so I had an E-brake. That is BTW, how those calipers are adjusted. The callipers are expencive so to save some cash, try to find some cores at a pick and pull place then replace them at your parts store for a set of remanufactured ones. I would not have a problem about doing another axle like this as I felt it worked out good for me, But if your not very good with designing and cutting metal from scratch, I would go with a premade kit. Brakes ain't something you hope will work.

Re: 4wd rear disc brake conversion
 

My post above should say t s m manufacturing. For some reason it won't let me edit. Ruffstuff manufacturing makes brackets for 1 ton rears. Not sure if they make 1/2 ton stuff yet. I've sean a few different ones. A search on yahoo turned up a few different ones. Jc Whitney used to make a kit too.

Re: 4wd rear disc brake conversion
 

If you are running a half ton set up I am selling a complete set with parking brake I will give you a great deal. I need to get some cash together. I think I have a 3/4 ton booster master cylinder and valve

Re: 4wd rear disc brake conversion
 

Has anyone confirmed the year of tornado the wheels cylinders are from with the mechanical e brake ?

Re: 4wd rear disc brake conversion
 

With disk brakes you don't have wheel cylinders. Only calipers and a actuator lever.