Converting my rear drums to rear discs, ????

[Peepaw]

Hey guys, have my 72 C-10 Factory 12 bolt, 5 lug, and wanting to convert the rear drums over to rear discs.
Anyone have a budget oriented way for me to do this? I am wanting to keep my current bolt pattern, so I don't have to change my wagon wheels, but was hoping someone made a budget kit for me to make the swap over to rear discs.

I also have a thread going on in the build section (doing a LWB to SWB chop, and Possibly ditching the BBC for a LSx), so Im gonna have my fair share of questions and a lot of it will pertain to more "budget" tech.

On my old Ford 8.8, and 9" setup's, I would use late model explorer's rear disc brakes (converting the axle bearing/flange to Late Big Ford so I could run it, and was CHEAP going that route)

So cheap in fact, I went that route on a Dana 60 I built for my 71 Challenger.
So, was thinking of possibly doing that this way, BUT:

A)already have rims, so kind of stuck on bolt pattern
B)was curious to see if GM had a budget friendly swap that Im not familiar with (Also have a '55 Pontiac Im doing a build on, and will do rear disc on that car as well).

thanks guys

[DGulliver]

"Trucks TV" on the Velocity channel just did an episode strictly on this. They are re-doing a 71 Fleetside and show a different project every Saturday. It didn't look too involved, but I don't remember who the kit was from. I bet they have the video on their webpage.

[leddzepp]

The words budget and cheap are used over and over in your post. Why do you want to convert to rear disc brakes? Front disc and rear drum are more than adequate for your application, and you can use the money in other areas.
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[GoaterAz]

I am also curious to the actual gains of the rear conversion.

In my head, it would just be an appearance mod.

No doubt they look better, though.

[BrianG]

X3, on the why convert to rear disks. MY DD is a 2001 GMC Sierra, it has rear disks and stops like a loaded freight train. A couple of years later they went back to rear drums. I think that they did eventually go back to rear disks, but I'm sure they must have upgraded something. I've thought many times about putting a drum axle under the back end of that truck, and have heard that many people are doing this. I suppose if you have a super custom truck and open wheels and want people to see something different than okay. However, just for the sake of stopping, drums are adequate in my opinion.

[DPowers]

Captain Fab on this board would be your go to man. He offers several applications.

Do a search for rear disc set up.

[Peepaw]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

The words budget and cheap are used over and over in your post. Why do you want to convert to rear disc brakes? Front disc and rear drum are more than adequate for your application, and you can use the money in other areas.
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Because I hate drums brakes. Ever since my 1st car when I was 15 (71 Challenger, 383), and it had 4 wheel drums, trying to slow down from 100MPH, and JUST WASNT HAPPENING, I have despised drum brakes.
Drum brakes are PIA to change out, WAY too many parts for an inadequate outdated, insufficient stopping system.
Did I mention I hate drum brakes?

[Peepaw]

Originally Posted by GoaterAz

I am also curious to the actual gains of the rear conversion.

In my head, it would just be an appearance mod.

No doubt they look better, though.

Gains...drums suck. Disc's are better.

[Peepaw]

Originally Posted by BrianG

X3, on the why convert to rear disks. MY DD is a 2001 GMC Sierra, it has rear disks and stops like a loaded freight train. A couple of years later they went back to rear drums. I think that they did eventually go back to rear disks, but I'm sure they must have upgraded something. I've thought many times about putting a drum axle under the back end of that truck, and have heard that many people are doing this. I suppose if you have a super custom truck and open wheels and want people to see something different than okay. However, just for the sake of stopping, drums are adequate in my opinion.

GM went BACK to drums because their engineers couldn't figure out WHY their rear disc were screwing up all the time. Ford, Chrysler, Toyota, Nissan, engineers didn't have that problem.

Look, guys, it's not brain surgery/rocket science. Drums do not work as well as disc. That is proven, and is factual with PLENTY of test to back that claim.
Their is a reason why NASCAR, Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and 99.9% ALL MANUFACTURERS (including GM) use disc brakes over drums today:
Disc are better.

Now, will my 72 see actual gains over the drums, and will the $$$$ be worth the conversion? Doubtful.
Doesn't mean I don't want to make my truck stop better, and converting to disc, will do exactly that.


No offense guys, but my thread was asking if anyone knew of a budget oriented conversion available for the 12 bolt, not of your opinion on WHY I wanted to convert over to disc, or argue if drums/disc are better.

I appreciate your opinion, but it's not what I asked for.

[Peepaw]

Originally Posted by DGulliver

"Trucks TV" on the Velocity channel just did an episode strictly on this. They are re-doing a 71 Fleetside and show a different project every Saturday. It didn't look too involved, but I don't remember who the kit was from. I bet they have the video on their webpage.

Thank you for your response. I will check their site out. Again, many thanks.

[El Campo]

You can get an entire set from wildwood to do it for about 630 dollars last time I checked. Using captainfabs brackets if I remember correctly you can do it for about 400. Most annoying part is that living in Texas you HAVE to have a park brake which adds substantial dollars to the job.
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[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by El Campo

You can get an entire set from wildwood to do it for about 630 dollars last time I checked. Using captainfabs brackets if I remember correctly you can do it for about 400. Most annoying part is that living in Texas you HAVE to have a park brake which adds substantial dollars to the job.
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I agree. You will also need a disc/disc master cylinder and prop valve. Add that to the cost of needing an e brake. So no, not really a CHEAP way to do it. No it isn't rocket surgery that discs work better than drums...if you have discs in front where 70% of your stopping power comes from, converting the rear is not really necessary and the minimal gain seen in stopping power is not worth the cost in my opinion. But it sounds like you are set on doing it so go for it and good luck. They do look better if you are running open wheels and can see them, and easier to change pads than shoes.
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[mole2000]

i ended up with a kit off ebay with prop valve and e-brake for about $450. a search will likely find it. i support the board vendors when i can but it was over $100 difference

i am making the change for easier maintenance, simplicity.

[magwakeenercew2jh]

Originally Posted by mole2000

i ended up with a kit off ebay with prop valve and e-brake for about $450. a search will likely find it. i support the board vendors when i can but it was over $100 difference

i am making the change for easier maintenance, simplicity.

You gotta pull the axel(s) to install the kit?

[mole2000]

yes, but only to remove the backing plates. i haven't done it yet and wondered if it was possible to cut them off. i also want to install a locker diff and want to avoid pulling axles twice, but need to stagger the projects. I'm doubtful of my success in that.

[uncletuck]

I put a newer 14 bolt ff in my 72 and found the caliper brackets online for 50 bucks and now just gotta buy front brake parts calipers rotors pads hoses for a 73 to 87 3/4 pick up......they might even make the same brackets for the older axles
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[Jayschevy]

Originally Posted by magwakeenercew2jh

You gotta pull the axel(s) to install the kit?

Do you really have to remove the axel to remove the backing plate?

[uncletuck]

Some are cut to go around the axle
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