14 bolt corp rear axle disc brake conversion

[swyfor5]

Now that I have my new "used" 14 bolt rear axle, I am looking at upgrading to disc brakes. Just seems like it would be the right time to do it, before I even install the axle. Makes no sense to me to tear the rear drums off, and invest in the rebuild of it all. Been researching parts for the disc conv and I think I want to go with DIY4X's kit. Also looked at ORD's kit, but in comparision, ORD's is $150.00 and uses spacers. DIY4X's kit looks beefier, no spacers, and is only $65.00. Looking for any feedback here before I start ordering parts. Anybody used either company's setups? Any info on the adjustable prop valves would be great also. Always like to see pic's too! Still working on this 1 ton upgrade!

[AJs72K5]

The DIY4X and Ruffstuff brackets are probably the better ones in my opinion. It's definately a worthwhile upgrade and it sheds about 100lb from the axle. The one thing most struggle with after doing this conversion is what to do about a parking brake. There are several options: caddy calipers with integrated parking brake; HAD or Tom Woods driveline brake; or line locks.

As far as the adjustable prop valve goes, Summit has a good looking one that I know has been used with good success. It's probably your best bet as the off-the-shelf nonadjustable ones just don't take into account the types of mods we're doing here.

Hope that gets you started.

[swyfor5]

Thank's, just as I thought. Really doesen't look all that hard to do. Anybody got pic's? My axles are 1984, so figured I'd buy components for same year. Any comments on that? That way I can make it simpler to order and get replacement parts. Also currently running stainless lines frt and back, and want to go that way with the swap.

[bigbadchev72]

I did the swap on a buddys jimmy, he used the summit adjustable valve mentioned before, I have installed and also own the DIY brackets, but havent installed yet, They are BEEF though!

It is a really easy swap, are you going to use the chevette lines? My buddy installed the had parking brake and it works awesome, but you need to have a HAD shaft to use it.

Not sure if you are a member over at CK5, but there is alot of useful info over there as well on this topic, and tons of pics and writeups

Oh yeah and if your drums are still in good shape, then you might want to consider throwing them on craigslist, replacement drums are big $$$, I bought most of my disc swap stuff for the price of 1 replacement drum

[swyfor5]

Thank's BBC72. Info on the chevette lines? Also info on the HAD shaft setup for the p- brake? I know nothing about that. Used to be a member over at CK5, but I dropped it. Don't really know the condition of the drums yet, as I have not tore it down yet. Thank's for the info on that. Cool!

[bigbadchev72]

First you are going to need to deceide what calipers you are going to run, 79 chevette are rubber hoses about a foot long with the 7/16" banjo bolt hole, 84 cavalier right side hoses use the 10mm hose.

You dont want to run a hard line to your calipers because they move and will eventually break a hard line. My buddy used the chevette lines and got a bracket from summit, just a small piece of metal that had a hole in it to mount the rubber line to the hard line.

http://www.highangledriveline.com/e_brake.html
My buddy is running this setup along with front and rear drivelines, I had to buy a rear driveline from them since I was getting some massive vibes, gotta love huge lift on short wheelbase!