Squarebody 73-87 Brake Upgrade

[buffydores]

Just wanted to share my experience in brake upgrades. For the half tons there's a factory brake upgrade available to us. There's a big piston caliper (JB7/JD7 - 13" - 3-5/32" piston diameter) that increases the clamping force by 15% over the standard smaller piston caliper (JB6/JD6 - 11" - 2-15/16" piston diameter). The big caliper showed up in the mid 80s 3/4 ton trucks. It's a bolt on. Starting in 1979, they started using the 10mm banjo bolt. Earlier than that, the banjo bolt was like 7/16". So pre 79 trucks might require a new set of lines coming off the frame to the caliper.

As far as brake pads, I've started to run EBCs Ultimax 2 pads for the D50 GM calipers. These suckers are rated GG friction, which is top notch. They have the cold bite you need in a daily driver. They also have the break in coating that helps get the pads seated to the rotor real nice. I can stand my Blazer, running heavy 35s, on its toes.

If you're running a heavy setup, and you don't want to go hydroboost, this is the ticket.

And please, please follow the break in procedure. Probably the most important aspect of the upgrade.