modern disc brakes

[mmiddle]

I posted this over in the Suspension page and no bites...

Has anyone attempted to adapt 99up front brake system on our trucks? How about the ABS system?

I ask because I have a complete front suspension system from a 99up truck. I am interested in using the uprights, hubs, rotors and calipers as well as the rear brake system from this truck.

My thought is that I want modern parts that I can get at any parts store as needed.

If no one has any information on this, I plan on ordering some cheap ball joints and taking measurements. For my application I plan on using Rack and pinion from same truck

Once I figure this out I'll do a write up. But may be a few months befor I get around to it.

[STOCKISH]

Why not just use 71-72 or 73-87 parts. Everything will bolt right on, and all parts are available everywhere. Plus if a wheel bearing fails, its cheaper and easier to install.

[mmiddle]

I want to maintain the 6 lug pattern. And I have never been a fan of the 1 piece rotor. The replaceable hub assm. will easily last 100k

If I go with the 1 piece 6 lug rotor, I am forever captive by whomever makes these, the price they want to charge and I would have to order new rotors in advance or have my truck down waiting on the UPS guy.

Plus, if I can figure this out it will benefit us all because these parts are far more available and will be widely available for many years to come. Unlike the 6 lug special made rotors now. At some point maybe 10 years, it will no longer be profitable for companies to stock these due to attrition of 6 lug trucks and conversions to 5 lug.

The current design is here to stay on production trucks and 40 years from now will still be in local parts stores.

[67ctener]

I say try it. Be the first one, braking has come a long way in 40 years you might be on to something
Posted via Mobile Device

[STOCKISH]

Originally Posted by mmiddle

The current design is here to stay on production trucks and 40 years from now will still be in local parts stores.

I bet they said that 40 years ago when they were building our trucks!

[BlackedOut67shorty]

What advantages are there to having brakes from a 99 and up truck, and I think using the abs system will be a bit challenging without the pcm.
Posted via Mobile Device

[mmiddle]

1972 Super: You are right. At least for the forseeable future the modern parts will be around for a long time. GM is on the second generation of of the 99+ braking system.

BlackedOut: For the LS conversion guys, the PCM's are already capable. As for an add on for a carbed guy, not a option. At least easy one.

I plan to persue this and many other upgrades to modern systems. Basically bringing my 1970 in to the 2010's.

I know there are other ways of doing this like using a complete frame from a newer truck, but then what fun is that, and how many people can do this in a week end?

[Special-Ed]

seriously!!!! it would be so much easier to get modern knuckles so we can use modern brake products. and modern sealed bearings.

i know i am in the minority around here but i actually want anti lock brakes on my ride.

and modern knuckles give me that ability, plus the ability for cermic pads. modern knuckles has the abs sensor built in(bolted in) so it can be use or not used. but give me the choice!

seriously its just making the a-arms with the proper geometry. and you can plop in a modern knuckle with modern brakes.

and for those guys doing complete lsx swapps we already have the ecm/pcm so is it that far of a stretch to get the anti lock brakes?

i bet we could find a gm engineer who would gladdly write the code for us to add our rough information into antil lock controller for better performance of the brakes. but something tells me that would not even be needed.

and for the rears maybe some kind of plate/ bracket that would allow the new calipers with the drum ebrake....similar to my 2005 z71 suburban i drive.

[Special-Ed]

Originally Posted by BlackedOut67shorty

What advantages are there to having brakes from a 99 and up truck, and I think using the abs system will be a bit challenging without the pcm.
Posted via Mobile Device

using anti locks without the ecm/pcm will give you standard brakes.

[Special-Ed]

im dumbing this down and taking some liberties...

anti locks are not some mystery... each wheel has a sensor, each sensor looks for grooves, the speed of each tire is measured by the sensor/grooves. an assist motor applies or bleed preasure from the tire/tires that are not moving at same speed.

so if lf tire is not rotating the same as the rest, pressure is relieved on lf so it can now spin.

anti locks are not the devil! they are our friend!

[Rctreadaway]

Never mind. Read the op wrong. I say try it!Posted via Mobile Device

[BossHogg69]

Originally Posted by mmiddle

I want to maintain the 6 lug pattern. And I have never been a fan of the 1 piece rotor. The replaceable hub assm. will easily last 100k

fyi - I wouldn't hang my hat on that hub assembly - both of the front hubs on my '05 GMC 2wd came apart before 100k. One at less than 60k, the other right at 100k. This was/is a street only, very well taken care of truck I might add.

Not saying you shouldn't try the swap, just giving you some info.

[mmiddle]

Originally Posted by BossHogg69

fyi - I wouldn't hang my hat on that hub assembly - both of the front hubs on my '05 GMC 2wd came apart before 100k. One at less than 60k, the other right at 100k. This was/is a street only, very well taken care of truck I might add.

Not saying you shouldn't try the swap, just giving you some info.

I am aware of the possible failures, but I'll bet your truck was the exception not the rule. As a personal antidote I have a Duramax with 190K and a 1500 Z/71 with 400K nether have had hubs replaced.

Any bearing will fail.

[BossHogg69]

Maybe, but the Duramax and the Z71 hub assembly are both different than the 1/2 ton 2wd.

[Tx Firefighter]

Each man marches to his own beat, but I sure like nice serviceable bearings that you can grease as often as you want. If you maintain them, they're only good for 50 years or so though. Then you have to go to the bearing supply house and pay 30 or 40 dollars for a new set of Timkens and National brand seals. Repeat every half decade as needed.

I can't argue though that you're kind of in bed with the aftermarket if you choose to run 6 lug rotors on old style spindles. I've never in my life ruined a non sealed bearing, spindle, or rotor though so its not something to really lose sleep over. Good maintenance and keeping track of what's going on under there will head off any problems before it gets to the stage of ruining parts.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Andy4639]

I have the stock 71 brakes on mine and see no problems with them. I would like to see a bigger rotor built for the stock spindale though. I would like a bigger caliper on front since I run 20" wheels but other than that I think they work fine.
I have the stock drums on back also.


If anybody knows of a caliper and rotor assembly that fits our stock spindale please LMK. Everything I have seen has to have a newer spindal.