Dana 60 Rear Drum Brake Upgrade
 

Dana 60 Rear Brake Upgrade from 12" to 13" Drums

Interested in drum brake upgrade, possibly to 13" drums, '71 3/4 ton 4x4 Dana 60 axle, it has stock 12x2.5 brake shoes?

A few questions, on possibility of upgrading a SRW Dana 60 with 12x2.5 brake shoes to 13 inch drums. Thinking of two/three possibilities while keeping stock axles:

1). We're their SRW Dana 60 applications that used 13" drums which can be switched to '71;

2). Can Dana 70 13" rear brakes be switch, everything from backing plate out. Maybe 80s Suburbans?

3). Other option, e.g. 70s Fords 3/4 ton Dana 60s that used 12x3 brake shoes, chevy dually brakes, switch everything from backing plat out.

Will do more research on Dana 70s in 80s Subs.

Les



Thanks,
Les

Re: Dana 60 Rear Drum Brake Upgrade
 

Just curious, why not a disc brake swap?

Re: Dana 60 Rear Drum Brake Upgrade
 

Drum brakes have good emergency brakes designed for the trucks. Rear brakes play second fiddle to the front anyway. rear disc brakes are highly over rated. Those are my three reasons.

The only Dana70 I know GM to use are the wide DRW configuration fro Big Dooleys. I would look into backing plates-out from DRW 14-bolt and see what can or can't be done. I was offered a cube van 14-bolt from a friend. After reading Larry's thread, I am now interested in that thing. My plans have been to swap the Dana 60 with an HO52, but I could play with this brake swap first. I'm thinking the 14-bolt 13" on the HO52 eventually.

Re: Dana 60 Rear Drum Brake Upgrade
 

The HO52 has very limited gear sets and very limited repair parts. Consider that when making your choices.

Re: Dana 60 Rear Drum Brake Upgrade
 

The reason for staying with drums was explained exactly by special-K. The main advantage of disks IMO can be weight savings and easier maintenance which for rears brakes is minimal with drums.

Thanks for the Dana 70 information on its applications. Need to go back and check my reference for the Dana 70s. Know all my 90s subs had 12 bolts. Looks like it is off to parts store to review their diagrams of backing plates, etc.

Will post what I find.

Re: Dana 60 Rear Drum Brake Upgrade
 

You're talkin' to a guy with Eaton disorder. I know a little about them. In my world there is no place for gears higher than 4.10 in an 8-lug 4wd. I'm not sure if I'll go this route now, but I also have a Dana60 front axle (4.10) and the plan was to create a factory looking '72 K3500. I have parts to support my disorder. The Dana60 may end up under my '67 SWB at some point (custom shafts/brakes)

Re: Dana 60 Rear Drum Brake Upgrade
 

so... brakes , as in drums, hardware and backing plates interchange between the dana 60, the HO and the 14 bolt rear? I can put HO drums on a dana 60?

Re: Dana 60 Rear Drum Brake Upgrade
 

Mike16,

Thanks for information on which brakes fit the SRW Dana 60. You have to really like Gm for how they simplfied interchangeability of parts.

Will brakes from both SRW and dulleys listed above fit the SRW '71 Dana 60?

Any thoughts on the differences/advantages between the different axles.

Thanks,
Les

Re: Dana 60 Rear Drum Brake Upgrade
 

I dont know as much as I think I do, thats for sure.


I got more questions than answers.

I have a c30 ho with big brakes but no park brake. it was on the rear of the tranny. will the big brakes bolt on to a dana 60 axle flange. the bolt patten lines up and the drums go on without conundrum?

Re: Dana 60 Rear Drum Brake Upgrade
 

http://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/...w=&range_high=


Ruffstuff specialties offer a 14 bolt brake flange to put 14 bolt brakes on anything.