Rear Disc Rear end

[70short/step]

Has anyone used or does anyone know if you can use a rear end from a 2000+ chevy truck with rear disc brakes as a swap to our trucks?? It is a leaf setup and thats what I have now. I dont want to do a bunch of fabracating. Would it be easier to just buy aftermarket setup for my present rear end?
Thanks, 70short/step

[VTKidder]

My call is just to get a kit to adapt the rear end you have to disc brakes; can be had at a very reasonable price. Saves fabrication, the price and pain of replacing the 4 u-bolts, and of course, the price of the 2000 axle!

An entire kit to swap from drums to discs (adapter plate, rotors, calipers, etc) can be had for around $550. I've seen entire rear ends for silverado's selling for anywhere between 650 and 1800. Might be the way to go if you don't mind fabrication.

[rickspickuppart]

I used the CPP kit (about $600 if I remember right) and it worked out very well - straight bolt on kit no welding/cutting

Shawn

[Gary]

Where can I find this kit? I feel like the best braking I can get is an important upgrade Who cares how fast you can go, if you can't stop good!

[70short/step]

The Only reason I was considering this was because the 2000+ rear end was a Freebie. Nada. Nothing. All I had to do was pick it up. But I guess I will pass on it. Thanks for your input.
70short/step

[VTKidder]

Cripes....if the rear end is a freebie, I'd grab it and see what you'd have to do. My guess is.....if the width is the same as the 12 bolt you have, you'd be sitting pretty well. It just bolts to the trailing arms with the 2 u-bolts, and that's it. The only thing you might run into is how to mount the tracking bar to the top of the pumpkin, and if the 2000 has more brackets and what not, having to remove them for installation on your rig. I'd take it if it's free and see what you can do.

[70short/step]

Thats why I was considering it. It is leaf spring and so is mine. If it was just a bolt in I would of done it. The brakes was the only real concern I had. I could just cut the spring perches off my rear end and weld them on the new one. Or just buy new perches.
70short/step

[VTKidder]

If you do end up adding rear discs, remember you have to add a proportioning valve in to back off the pressure going to the rear discs; they'll lock up big time when you hit the brakes if you don't adjust everything.

[70short/step]

If you have front and rear disc brakes, do you still need the proportioning valve?? As long as both the front and rear chambers in the master cylinder are the same size dont you want them to have equal pressure? Maybe I need to find a website on this. Thanks 70short/step

[VTKidder]

Yes, because when you hit the brakes, the front of the truck is going to become 'heavier' than the rear of the truck, just due to the intertia of the truck. The same amount of brake pressure on the front and rear, combined with the front of the truck having a significantly larger amount of weight on the tires will mean that the rears will just lock up and you'll end up blowing it around like you're e-braking everywhere. Not sure of the difference between pressures on the front and rear, but it needs to be done.

[racedvl]

Get one of them adjustible ones. If the rear end is a freebie, I don't see any reason to at least give it a shot!