HO72 rearend rebuild

[myoldmetal]

Ok Im new to this site, so if Ive missed an old post, please excuse me!
I have a 71 K20 4x4 with an HO72 1 ton rearend. My bearings are starting to go, and now fluid is spraying out of the yoke so I need to do a rebuild. I would go with a 14 bolt, but I want to keep the suspension original, and mine has the optional Detroit Locker, so for $$$ reasons, it makes sense to keep what I have. My question is:
I have seen rebuilt kits for prices that range from $400 up to $800.....does anyone know who has the best price on a high quality rebuild kit for this 3rd member???
thanks,
Blake

[Classic Heartbeat]

If anyone has the stuff it would be Randy's Ring and Pinion in Everette, WA. Phone 1-800-347-1188. Shouldn't be too far from you either. WES

[myoldmetal]

Yes I called them and they are very expensive. They sell a kit made by yukon gear, and Ive seen the exact same kit online for up to $250 less than Randys sells it for. I was just hoping someone may know who has the best price for the kit, so I can spend a little less time searching.

[Longhorn Man]

if you have a ssingle rear wheel HO72 I would swap it out. It isn't original anyways, so originality isn't an issue, and the 14 bolt is not only better, but you can actually get parts for it.
Go try and find drums and shoes for it.
The 3/4 tons came with HO52.

[special-K]

The 14-bolts are no better.They are both equally great rears that combined have rolled trucks on down the road for 60 years or so.You should try Napa.That`s where I get all my parts.I think you have a HO52.Why do you think it`s an HO72?They are the same,all but the brakes and wheel bearings.Other than staying original,it`s nice to not have to move the spring perches and shock mounts which is required on 14-bolts.I love those No-Spins!!

[myoldmetal]

I have friends with 14 bolts and they all tell me what they have is no better than what I have. The only bad part about the 10 bolt is buying brake parts. They are available, but very expensive...but I have been reading some chats online and some guys have said that a disc brake kit for a 14 bolt will work on a 10 bolt, which would be nice. Pulling my third member out for a rebuild and adding disc brakes sounds easier than changing spring perches and shock mounts

[vectorit]

I'd be very interested to read more about this disc brake conversion for the Eaton.


(BTW my burb has been on jack stands for a couple months now, since I can't find one brake part. So I can attest to the availability of parts).

EDIT: I did a little search and found this website: http://www.blackbirdscustomtrucks.com/index.html
They have the conversion kits, and for what they are selling it seems pretty reasonable.

[myoldmetal]

yes, from what Ive been reading.....apparently the 14 bolt disc brake kit will fit the 10 bolt but you have to trim the caliper mounting bracket. Sounds pretty minor to me, especially if it turns a $600 brake job into a $200 brake job!

[special-K]

I`m planning a disc brake job on the 4.10 No-Spin i have.The 14-bolt kit can be used and I wonder why you couldn`t use 14-bolt drum brakes.

[ERASER5]

FYI, an HO72 or HO52 may have 10 bolts on the inspection cover, but that does NOT mean it is a 10 bolt. Asking for "10 bolt" parts will not get you what you need.

Just so you do not accidentally order the wrong parts.

[Special Greg]

West coast differental had the kit availabe the last time that i needed a set. They were not cheap but the kit fit correctly.

[myoldmetal]

Originally Posted by ERASER5

FYI, an HO72 or HO52 may have 10 bolts on the inspection cover, but that does NOT mean it is a 10 bolt. Asking for "10 bolt" parts will not get you what you need.

Just so you do not accidentally order the wrong parts.

Im only referring to it as a 10 bolt in conversations about comparing it to a 14 bolt....but thanks for the clarification for those that may not be up to speed on the subject.
West Coast Differential huh? I will have to check the pricing and compare to what I have seen so far. thanks!

[myoldmetal]

anyone else have any input on a budget friendly rebuild kit for this rearend? The prices seem to be all over the place

[myoldmetal]

Randys Ring and Pinion ended up being very helpful with sourcing the rebuild parts I needed, but Im still looking for a good source for a disc brake swap on my HO72. Anyone have any good suggestions?

[Dieselwrencher]

Capev86, that style is nice but can be a PITA to work on. Many different vehicles use that stye. Here is something to keep in mind. You can use 1978 cadillac eldorado disc brake calipers that have a park brake built into them for the disc brake swap. They are a little more expensive, but atleast you will have a park brake. Also you could purchase an adjustable proportional valve and adjust it to your braking style/needs.

[myoldmetal]

Eldorado calipers huh? What year/make rotors can be used with those?
I called Blackbirds.....they wanna sell me their complete kit for almost $600, but wont tell me what year/model truck all the "off the shelf" parts go to untill I buy the kit.....so maybe they are marking up the GM parts enough to have a reason not to tell? I just want caliper brackets and backing plates, and I can go to the parts store and buy the rest myself brand new without overpaying for stock parts, plus shipping for those parts!
Capev86, Look up Bowtie Overdrives, in Victorville, CA. I bought an OD trans from them......best money Ive spent so far for my truck!

[Old Chevy Mech]

The parts are out there and it cause a brain tumor!
There is an outfit in California that I purchased brand new drums for my HO-52. I'm at work right now, (cant recall who) but could look up the paperwork when home if anyone needs the contact information. They were Pricy, but was nice to have the rear end back factory. All the brake components I got from an outfit in Mass that specializes in brakes for the old stuff. I got brand new OEM parts and I'll tell ya..for manual drum brakes they act like power brakes!

Where theres a will theres a way!

[Stocker]

If you don't mind posting that info, it would be nice to have -- just in case. My drums are OK for now, but there's not enough metal left if they ever need to be turned.

[myoldmetal]

my brakes are half gone, and my drums cannot be turned again so Im ready to switch to disc when its time for the next tear down. if I remember right, 71 has a narrow drum, where 67-70, and 72 have a wider drum.....making mine even more expensive! With a lift and huge tires, along with no weight in the back, I lock up more often than not in this Seattle rain anyway....I NEED disc all around

[Old Chevy Mech]

This is where I got the brake drums;

http://brakeperformance.com/site/brake_drums.php

Like I said, pricy but nice! Made in the USA too.

This is where I got the adjuster arms and spring kits from. I also got the from wheel cyliners for my front brake drums!

http://ebiz.netopia.com/brakeparts/door/

[Dieselwrencher]

Here is a link for some weld on brackets.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/14-Bo...Q5fAccessories
Here are some for bolt on to a 14 bolt.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/14-Bo...Q5fAccessories
This should be a link for the calipers from a 78 Eldorado with ebrake.
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php

[myoldmetal]

thanks for the info Dieselwrencher...saved me a ton of money!

[capev86]

hey Dieselwrencher.....

i think the caliper e-brake style is a PITA to work on. the separate drum e-brake is more powerful (try parking on a hill with a trailer hitched up)

besides, i don't want car brakes on my 3/4 ton suburban....i want truck brakes designed as a system and with all the r&d involved. the kit you mention may work just fine and look good at a car show, but dollar for dollar, i'll stick with factory stuff where the brakes are concerned. right now i am running stainless braided brake hoses and synthetic dot4 brake fluid in burb, so i do choose the aftermarket for some things (i have CPP sway bars and poly bushings). i will put some ceramic pads on the front when the old ones wear out. right now my brakes are good to go!

and Myoldmetal....

Bowtie Overdrives only carries stuff for the 200-4r and 700-r4 4 speed auto's. i have a 3 on the tree (manual) Saginaw and want to add the borg warner overdrive unit eventually. it will give me a .7 overdrive like in the 700, but i get to keep my eclectic transmission. auto's are great for towing and convenience, but i like being different from the crowd. i am planning to swap out the dinky 307 in favor of a bad boy 406sbc with low miles that i have tucked away.

[Dieselwrencher]

Capev86, if you need more vehicles to find that style of disc brake and ebrake combo, try 02 up dodge 2500 and 3500's, as well as 99 and up ford super dutys. They both utilize that style. Dodges are D70 and 80, and the fords are sterling 10.25 srw and D80 drw.

[myoldmetal]

I agree the caliper mounted ebrake isnt as strong as the shoes on the inside of the hat would be. Im sure there is an OEM application that had this setup...anyone know what year trucks had this?