Who would like to see a closed knuckle Front disc brake kit???

[drink2mny]

Seeing this is the #1 board for our year trucks. Blackbird's was curious..
What are your thoughts on trying to make a front disc brake kit for the Dana 44 closed knuckle axle..

We have recently been asked to make one for the F*rd fronts(they made closed knuckle untill around i think 74 or 76 can't remeber what Randy told me)
So he was curious what kind of support would their be in the early GM truck side of the house for a kit...

Now don't flame this post with things like .. Why don't you go and get a later 44 out of a 70's and put it in... Some guys don't want to...

This is a what do think post...

Thanks guys and gals

[mjrmn]

I may be interested depending on $$$. I actually emailed Blackbirds a while back to see if they offered such a kit.

[drink2mny]

He is putting one together for the Ferd D44.
He would definately keep it in the acceptable price range..
He just wants to get a feel for it, if this would be something people wanted.

[shelby987]

I would be interested....but again, what would the cost be........if it ends up being anywhere close to an axle swap cost....I would rather hunt around for a built axle with the brakes already attached....I am actually in the process of doing something along these lines....any idea of a time frame here?

[wolfthing2000]

It's all about the cost as far as I'm concerned. probably a good market for em.

[Yukon Jack]

The turning radius doesn't bother me to much on my closed knuckle axle but I sure would like the option of disk brakes. I would definitely consider one when it is time for me to do my front brakes. Would much prefer adding disk rather than finding a good axle with the right gear ratio that already has disks.

[FormerMember]

Might also be a hit with the mudding crowd. Closed knuckles keep the ick out better.

[drink2mny]

Thanks guys for the input..

Blackbird's would definately do his best to keep prices down.. he prides himself in trying to have the lowest price for the components he sells to your door..

I know I'm a Mod here but just want ro reassure the guys, I am not trying to sell ...... YET..LOL

These aren't even in production .. just trying to get a feel if this is something people would want...

[boundstaffpress]

I would probably drool over such a kit, and not ever spend the money to put it on. I'm with Yukon Jack. I don't really want to try to find a posi font axle with my gearing. I would rather buy a kit.

[cheyenne10]

Which years did these axles come stock? Isn't the late 1969, 1970 both have the newer "open" knuckle frontend but with drum brakes? There is not a kit for these either is there? Closed version was 69 and earlier if I'm not mistaken.

[1969K10]

Keep us posted, I'd be interested, but I'll have to gain clearance from the checkbook when the time gets here!!!

[drink2mny]

When he is done withe the ferd kit I will post some pics.. This will give you a generalized idea what it would look like..

[Canadian694x4]

I can say I'd be Interested. I'm adding a small lift and larger tires to my truck and one thing I'd really like to have is front discs to replace the worn out old front drums. Like what was said earlier too is I'd like to be able to avoid an Axle swap...I like my #'s matching axles just fine.

[mdepot]

I might be interested as well, depending on the cost...

[1969owner]

i think that would be good.

[qksilver]

Went to look at some parts this week end. The interesting part was when he showed me his project.
A 68 SWB 4X4 with a closed knuckle front axle. The orginal one, I looked closer and it had disc brakes on it!
No kit, just all the parts off of a 1980 blazer.
He pulled everything off of both axles from the steering knuckle out and swapped them. easy and cheap.
I went and pulled one side off of my 85 blazer and one side off of my 67 1/2 SWB 4X4.
They fit.
So a cheap and easy swap with factory parts!

[Canadian694x4]

So it mates right up without modification? So would any 71-87 front disc brakes fit then?? That's a great tip.

[qksilver]

seems like at least 73 on up or so.
I didn't bolt it up because of the rust dirt etc. too much of a pain but did slide the bracket and spindle hub on and on the other guys truck the caliper and everything else lined up. Of course you have to deal with brake lines, proportioning valve and master cyclinder but I know that those swap easy.

[drink2mny]

Would that work for the 3/4 tons???

Now I know ferds have a larger closed knuckle. do any 67-68 have larger closed knuckles??

[qksilver]

I am not sure but certain 3/4 front axles use the same knuckle but with 8 lug hubs. A junk yard in this case would be your best friend. With the price of any aftermarket disc brake set up, the only thing you can do is use a little time to save some money.

[boundstaffpress]

3/4 ton closed knuckle axles have a larger pivot ball, but I don't know about the hub.

[70rs/ss]

I did this on a 69 Blazer. I used parts off of a 73 up and everything bolted on (with some grinding and cussing!) but in the end I had discs! As for a kit, I'd guess it would be easier to make a braket and then have the buyer scrounge the remaining parts off of a used junker or new from Autozone etc. Brakes are brakes, so to keep the price down make a bracket and allow the consumer to gather remaining parts.