rear disc conversion

[chevyguy_72]

Hey guys
I am sure there has been about a thousand threads on this.
I am not rich but would really like to do one of these since my rears are about shot anyway. I have done a ton of searching and have not come up with much. Is there a site or a write up on the parts etc to do this yourself? I do need the ebrake(just incase). Any info, other than some 500-700 dollar kit would be great. I would even consider changing rear ends if that was a more affordable option, plus i could use a little more width.
Thanks

[roj2323]

http://steeltechsolutions.com/ how's $89 for the brackets? the rotors will run between 20-40 each and then depending on if you want a parking brake, calipers will run between $50-$300 loaded. i.e. they come with the pads.
ondrew

[chevyguy_72]

sweet that is definately an option are there any others?

[meathead95]

pm raggedjim he has done this and it is top notch

[Hart_Rod]

Try to find a 94-96?? caprice/impala disc rearend (5 x 5 and correct width). You will have to weld on new axle saddles but that is probably the cheapest way to go. I think you can get a rearend for around $200 depending on gears and whether it is a posi unit. Axle saddle are probably less than $40.

R

[john]

Heres another one. Probably not the cheapest but will give you an idea of what needs to be done. John
http://www.classicperform.com/tech_a...kes-trucks.htm

[chevyguy_72]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rob

Try to find a 94-96?? caprice/impala disc rearend (5 x 5 and correct width). You will have to weld on new axle saddles but that is probably the cheapest way to go. I think you can get a rearend for around $200 depending on gears and whether it is a posi unit. Axle saddle are probably less than $40.

R

that is a great i idea. is there the connection for the panhard or do you have to get a kit of somesore for install other than the saddles.

[John Fabris]

Or heaven forbid, grab a factory Ford Nine inch from a Lincoln Continential that has rear disc brakes, buy an adjustable panhard bar with relocation brackets. the nine inch is 5 on 5 lug pattern...

[FormerMember]

Originally Posted by John Fabris

Or heaven forbid, grab a factory Ford Nine inch from a Lincoln Continential that has rear disc brakes, buy an adjustable panhard bar with relocation brackets. the nine inch is 5 on 5 lug pattern...

I thought that was 5 on 5.5" though?

[ratrod67]

Originally Posted by john

Heres another one. Probably not the cheapest but will give you an idea of what needs to be done. John
http://www.classicperform.com/tech_a...kes-trucks.htm

That's the kit I have on my truck. Worth it in my opinion.

[69TowRig]

Originally Posted by roj2323

http://steeltechsolutions.com/ how's $89 for the brackets? the rotors will run between 20-40 each and then depending on if you want a parking brake, calipers will run between $50-$300 loaded. i.e. they come with the pads.
ondrew

Link no workee for me.

[72wascal]

I used a four 9 inch out of 66 truck and used Ford Racing (explorer design) brakes that gives the internal PB. I works well and stops on a dime. Like the versatility of using the 9 inch set up to swap gears. I had a lincoln rear with disc brakes but the rear end will not hold up well under serious horsepower.

[matt67350]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=178840

Dennis did a great job on shis setup. Check it out!!!!

[cell]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rob

Try to find a 94-96?? caprice/impala disc rearend (5 x 5 and correct width). You will have to weld on new axle saddles but that is probably the cheapest way to go. I think you can get a rearend for around $200 depending on gears and whether it is a posi unit. Axle saddle are probably less than $40.

R

I'd like to go with rear discs, and I'd also like to change my rear end ratio to 3.08:1 on my 67 1/2 ton.

I am starting to think that it would be easiest and cheapest to simply swap out the entire rear axle assembly, instead of changing out the individual pieces. Also, this would mean newer parts, which means greater parts availability.

So, I think I'll lay out my options and bounce some ideas off of y'all.

Option 1: Get a complete rear end from a 94-96 Impala SS or Caprice w/police package.

Question: What about the rear sway bar? I currently have the kind which attaches to the differential housing, and the Impala/Caprice rear end's don't have 'em. Are there alternative anti-sway mechanisms I can steal from the Impala/Caprice donor car? Or can I have a machine shop weld on some sort of stud to which I can attach the sway bar on the new rear end?

(note for those of you considering this option - go sign up on impalassforum.com!)

Option 2: Change to a leaf spring rear end.

Is this even possible? Can I just get rid of the tracking arms, coil springs, and sway bar? Will the leaf spring based rear ends from the 73-87 or 73-91 trucks fit? (are they wide enough / too wide?) Will the leaf spring u-bolts attach to my frame correctly? Will I need to fabricate new points to attach the shock absorbers to the frame? And what about rear anti sway stuff?

Option 2 does seem to have the advatage of updating all my rear end parts to more modern stuff with INSANE parts availability, and it also seems like it would be easier to upgrade to higher bed / towing capacity this way (basically just need beefier leaf springs, right?). Also, I imagine a truck rear end will be heavier duty than an impala rear end.

Thanks for you input guys - y'all are an incredible resource!

[FormerMember]

Originally Posted by cell

I'd like to go with rear discs, and I'd also like to change my rear end ratio to 3.08:1 on my 67 1/2 ton.

I am starting to think that it would be easiest and cheapest to simply swap out the entire rear axle assembly, instead of changing out the individual pieces. Also, this would mean newer parts, which means greater parts availability.

So, I think I'll lay out my options and bounce some ideas off of y'all.

Option 1: Get a complete rear end from a 94-96 Impala SS or Caprice w/police package.

Question: What about the rear sway bar? I currently have the kind which attaches to the differential housing, and the Impala/Caprice rear end's don't have 'em. Are there alternative anti-sway mechanisms I can steal from the Impala/Caprice donor car? Or can I have a machine shop weld on some sort of stud to which I can attach the sway bar on the new rear end?

(note for those of you considering this option - go sign up on impalassforum.com!)

Option 2: Change to a leaf spring rear end.

Is this even possible? Can I just get rid of the tracking arms, coil springs, and sway bar? Will the leaf spring based rear ends from the 73-87 or 73-91 trucks fit? (are they wide enough / too wide?) Will the leaf spring u-bolts attach to my frame correctly? Will I need to fabricate new points to attach the shock absorbers to the frame? And what about rear anti sway stuff?

Option 2 does seem to have the advatage of updating all my rear end parts to more modern stuff with INSANE parts availability, and it also seems like it would be easier to upgrade to higher bed / towing capacity this way (basically just need beefier leaf springs, right?). Also, I imagine a truck rear end will be heavier duty than an impala rear end.

Thanks for you input guys - y'all are an incredible resource!

Could also use ECE's track bar re-location kit.

[67Mach1]

Originally Posted by cell

Option 2: Change to a leaf spring rear end.

Is this even possible? Can I just get rid of the tracking arms, coil springs, and sway bar? Will the leaf spring based rear ends from the 73-87 or 73-91 trucks fit? (are they wide enough / too wide?) Will the leaf spring u-bolts attach to my frame correctly? Will I need to fabricate new points to attach the shock absorbers to the frame? And what about rear anti sway stuff?

Option 2 does seem to have the advatage of updating all my rear end parts to more modern stuff with INSANE parts availability, and it also seems like it would be easier to upgrade to higher bed / towing capacity this way (basically just need beefier leaf springs, right?). Also, I imagine a truck rear end will be heavier duty than an impala rear end.

Thanks for you input guys - y'all are an incredible resource!

Jason my 67 GMC has leaf Spring Rear and I dont think I am going to be using my frame once I pull the body off of it for the short bed conversion I was planning....

[cell]

67Mach1: Ohh, I'll have to come take a look at that!

[Bill72BB]

Here is one I have saved because they also have kits for Dana 60's

http://www.blackbirdscustomtrucks.com/index.html

[drink2mny]

Thanks Bill for posting us....

Your going to do what you want., but we are an option and on this board.

good luck in your ventures...

[junkyardjohn]

I GOT ONE OUT OF A 76 LINKOLN VERSALLES. THEY ARE WITHIN AN INCH OVERALL, HAVE REAR DISCS & A PARKING BREAK, & ARE 5X5 LUGS. I DID A SWAP WITH A BUDDY OF MINE THAT OWNS A DRIVELINE SHOP. HE COMPLETELY REBUILT IT WITH ALL NEW BEARINGS & SEALS, CHANGED THE RING & PINION TO 355-1 GEAR RATIO & REBUILT A POSSI. THIRD MEMBER FOR IT. IT WAS LESS THAN $100 AT A LOCAL BONE YARD. JOHN

[cell]

thanks john, that's another potential source to add to my donor list!

[84 PUMPKIN]

Originally Posted by junkyardjohn

I GOT ONE OUT OF A 76 LINKOLN VERSALLES. THEY ARE WITHIN AN INCH OVERALL, HAVE REAR DISCS & A PARKING BREAK, & ARE 5X5 LUGS. I DID A SWAP WITH A BUDDY OF MINE THAT OWNS A DRIVELINE SHOP. HE COMPLETELY REBUILT IT WITH ALL NEW BEARINGS & SEALS, CHANGED THE RING & PINION TO 355-1 GEAR RATIO & REBUILT A POSSI. THIRD MEMBER FOR IT. IT WAS LESS THAN $100 AT A LOCAL BONE YARD. JOHN

I've used this rearend in three trucks ('66, '67, '71) with great results.

[hilljob26]

i sell the prints and templates to make your own brackets,mine use all 4 flange bolts instead of 3 like everyone elses,ive been selling them for 25 lately,let me know...mike

[dennislbrooks]

$25 is a good price for a template. Does yours allow the re-use of the oem e-cable. Do they mount the calipers forward horizontal instead of top?

[hilljob26]

well,there is an ebarke caliper to use,which should retrain your factory cable,the calipers mount straight up,but there is no difference as far as where the caliper mounts to the stopping power,trust me,ive tried about every angle out there,and these seemed to be the best,not only that,it made it easier for people to make there own,pm me for more...mike