Dana 44 closed knuckle disc brakes

[jbclassix]

I believe you may run into issues with caliper clearance between the knuckle and the back of the caliper. I haven't ever done a swap on a chevy, but I did one on a Ford using Chevy parts and a Scout using FSJ parts. both had issues got worked out with grinder therapy.

[danw210]

Originally Posted by jbclassix

I believe you may run into issues with caliper clearance between the knuckle and the back of the caliper. I haven't ever done a swap on a chevy, but I did one on a Ford using Chevy parts and a Scout using FSJ parts. both had issues got worked out with grinder therapy.

I had to turn the caliper bracket to avoid the clearance problem.

[danw210]

Well everything worked out! It is all put back together, rotors spin, no clearance problems, lockouts engage. If I had to do it all over again I would swap in a 71-87 front diff but considering the circumstances I had to make this work. I hope that this may help anyone in a similar scenario.

[wayne4252004]

I had a 72 chevy with the closed knuckles on the front. This maybe a stupid question but what are the advantages of having a closed knuckle? Really miss that truck.

[danw210]

Originally Posted by wayne4252004

I had a 72 chevy with the closed knuckles on the front. This maybe a stupid question but what are the advantages of having a closed knuckle? Really miss that truck.

I don't think that there are any advantages to a closed knuckle over an open. It was what I had with my 69 so I wanted to make it work. I would go with the open knuckle if I do it again. I've found that the knuckle bearings and wiper kits are not cheap so the open knuckle would be a lot sheaper to maintain, and I hear the turning radius is better too.

[60sIron]

Dan210 how's the project coming? Just wanted to let you know that I was thinking of selling my 69 k20. There's a lot of reasons to let her go but #1 was it stopped like sh**. I've had her for over 15 years. Rebuilt the brakes more than I care to count. Everyone says just swap axles, they don't know the open knuckle disc brake axle is 3" wider. I can't stand that look. Thanks to your post I may keep my cool Suburban. Just thought you should know your detective work is appreciated! How cool to step on the brakes and know what's going to happen! There's a post where a guy goes from your conversion back to drums..... Go figure!

[danw210]

Originally Posted by 60sIron

Dan210 how's the project coming? Just wanted to let you know that I was thinking of selling my 69 k20. There's a lot of reasons to let her go but #1 was it stopped like sh**. I've had her for over 15 years. Rebuilt the brakes more than I care to count. Everyone says just swap axles, they don't know the open knuckle disc brake axle is 3" wider. I can't stand that look. Thanks to your post I may keep my cool Suburban. Just thought you should know your detective work is appreciated! How cool to step on the brakes and know what's going to happen! There's a post where a guy goes from your conversion back to drums..... Go figure!

Thanks for the kind words. I agree, everyone says just swap axles but I don't regret going this route (at least not yet). I can't see why someone would go back to drums unless they were restoring back to original. The disc brakes outperform the drums by just a little, lol.
The project has been put on hold for now. I moved this summer from northern Illinois to Kentucky and the truck has just been sitting. I hope to get back to it by spring of 2014.