Can anyone explain brake differences on these trucks? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

kipps · 10-16-2020, 02:49 PM

I'm mixing and matching brake components between a 1987 squarebody and a 2001-ish gmt800. Both trucks are 3/4 tons. I've been trying to figure out what diameter pistons are used on the front calipers of a 2001. RockAuto is showing 57+57 and 40+44 calipers. I've seen some evidence of a 48+48 caliper as well. The vast majority of the available calipers are the 57+57 mm size.

When are the different caliper sizes used? Are they accompanied by a change in the master cylinder size?

EVRLET · 10-16-2020, 04:19 PM

I will make an educated guess and say if you have the hydroboost setup, then you would get the bigger piston due to higher brake pressure. Most 2500/3500 came with hydroboost, while 1500s were your traditional vacuum booster setup.

Tom · 11-10-2020, 04:05 PM

On 88-98's, caliper was dicatated by GVW.
1/2tons used the same caliper as low GVW 3/4ton.
Heavy GVW 3/4ton and low GVW 1tons used the same caliper with larger piston then the 1/2tons.
And then you had the heavy 1ton gvw which used a specific caliper I don't know anything about since I can't use it on my 1/2ton lol.

10-16-2020, 02:49 PM	#1
kipps Registered User Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: North-central Virginia Posts: 1,104	Can anyone explain brake differences on these trucks? I'm mixing and matching brake components between a 1987 squarebody and a 2001-ish gmt800. Both trucks are 3/4 tons. I've been trying to figure out what diameter pistons are used on the front calipers of a 2001. RockAuto is showing 57+57 and 40+44 calipers. I've seen some evidence of a 48+48 caliper as well. The vast majority of the available calipers are the 57+57 mm size. When are the different caliper sizes used? Are they accompanied by a change in the master cylinder size? __________________ 1987 C6P V20 truck, 2010 LMG 5.3, AFM delete, 2010 Camaro exhaust manifolds, 1997 nv4500, 1991 np241c, hydroboost, 2005 14bff axle & driveshaft, drop-n-lock gooseneck, 4.10 gears, stock suspension, rims, and tires. Still a work in progress. Any questions or suggestions are welcome!

10-16-2020, 04:19 PM	#2
EVRLET Registered User Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 369	Re: Can anyone explain brake differences on these trucks? I will make an educated guess and say if you have the hydroboost setup, then you would get the bigger piston due to higher brake pressure. Most 2500/3500 came with hydroboost, while 1500s were your traditional vacuum booster setup. __________________ Customization is what you want it to look like -- not what other people think it should look like

11-10-2020, 04:05 PM	#3
Tom driving is in my blood Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Mesa AZ Posts: 5,737	Re: Can anyone explain brake differences on these trucks? On 88-98's, caliper was dicatated by GVW. 1/2tons used the same caliper as low GVW 3/4ton. Heavy GVW 3/4ton and low GVW 1tons used the same caliper with larger piston then the 1/2tons. And then you had the heavy 1ton gvw which used a specific caliper I don't know anything about since I can't use it on my 1/2ton lol. __________________ -78 c10 short/step: 388cid, M20, 5/5 drop, lots more. Playtoy and first vehicle. -98 c1500 x-cab: 5.7L, 17" rims, 5/6 drop, flowmaster, helper bags,NBS rear disk brakes. -02 Suburban 4x4: leveled front -CBR600F4i, CBR600RR, CBR1000RR, and standup skis DISCLAIMER: I cant spell for the life of me.



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