D52 Caliper Rear Disc Brake Brackets

[Captainfab]

These are the latest rear disc brake brackets that I have designed with help from a few other members. These brackets will bolt onto the truck 12 bolt rear differentials from '64-'82 and the 10 bolt truck differentials from '79-'87. The OEM application for the rotors used is the '92-'02 AWD Astro/Safari vans. These have the 5 on 5" bolt pattern the same as the '71 and up C10's are 11.6" in diameter and 1.29" thick. The brackets will accomodate the OEM 'D52' size calipers as well as the new Wilwood dual piston D52 calipers. The D52's can be identified as the large GM calipers with the 7.06" center to center of the mounting bolts/pins.

The price on these is $257.00 plus a flat rate shipping of $16.25 anywhere in the USA. These brackets are also available powder coated in satin black for an additional $28.00 This pricing is always current and up to date. If you are outside of the USA contact me for a shipping price. What is included for this price is shown in the first pic, which includes the 3 piece assembly for both sides, plus all the necessary grade 8 hardware for mounting to your differential.

For payment I accept PayPal and money orders. If you would like a set, post in this thread and or send an email to captainfab454@hotmail.com, and I will give you the ordering and payment instructions and current lead time.

A big thanks to smashingchuck for contacting me and supplying the Wilwood D52 dual piston caliper. And thanks also to lolife99 for contacting me also and the encouragement.

[Captainfab]

Here are a few pics of the OEM D52 calipers. These are available in two different piston sizes. The JD5/JB5 calipers have a 2 15/16" diameter piston and the JD7/JB7 calipers have a 3 5/32" diameter piston. If you need a E-brake these can be found under the application of rear calipers for the '76-'78 Cadillac Eldorado. The A1 Cardone part numbers for these are 16-4116 and 16-4117. Those are loaded calipers.

[lolife99]

Got my set of powdercoated brackets today!
Super nice product, with great customer service.
Highly recommend these as a lower cost alternative to rear disc brake kits,... and the ability to use factory oem parts.

A+ to Captainfab for designing these brackets!

[jkb]

Wow great job! Great price too! I bet we wish we all had a lil of the Captians skill in us

[Nova_Cobra64]

If you don't mind me asking, is there a distinct advantage to this setup versus the camaro/impala setup you offer? Parts/aftermarket availibility?

I am planning on doing one of these conversions in the future, I just have to learn about my options and then consider which route I want to go.

[Captainfab]

Well this whole disc brake bracket assembly came about as the result of a couple members wanting an affordable rear disc brake conversion that would accept the Wilwood dual piston D52 calipers. As is works out the GM D52 calipers will work as well, which can be bought for around $15.00 each for rebuilt calipers, not counting the core charge. A lot of guys will have a couple D52 calipers laying around that can be turned in for cores. So from that perspective the calipers for these can be very inexpensive if you don't need an e-brake. If you do need an e-brake, those will run about $110.00 plus a core charge of around $25.00. The GM D52 calipers come in 2 piston sizes, 2 15/16" and 3 5/32" whereas the Impala, and the Camaro calipers are considerably smaller at 1.59" for the Camaro caliper and the Impala SS calipers at 2.13".

The one other thing that I like about this setup, is the rotors. The Astro rotors are about the same diameter as the Impala SS rotors, but the Astro rotors are 1.29" thick compared to the Impala SS rotors which are .790 thick. I just like the thicker, heavier rotors, plus they are the same thickness as most front rotors.

I haven't done a total conversion cost comparison between the three assemblies, but I feel that these are a little better suited for use on a pickup. The brackets themselves are more expensive than either the Impala brackets or the Camaro brackets, but I believe that a person can do the conversion for less money overall. Plus you can always upgrade to the Wilwood dual piston D52 calipers at a later date without any modifications.

A lot of what makes either one better for you, is if you can source any of the parts needed for one more economically than the other. And also what you expect fron your truck's brakes.

Originally Posted by Nova_Cobra64

If you don't mind me asking, is there a distinct advantage to this setup versus the camaro/impala setup you offer? Parts/aftermarket availibility?

I am planning on doing one of these conversions in the future, I just have to learn about my options and then consider which route I want to go.

[Captainfab]

Here's a pic of the brackets in satin black powder coat.

[toms84ss]

Couple of questions for you Captain. Are the rotors from the front or rear? And what will we find the GM "D52" calipers on?

[cpetersen]

I believe these are D52 calipers? With these calipers and rotors off of the astro van they will work with 15" Wheels won't they?

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by toms84ss

Are the rotors from the front or rear? And what will we find the GM "D52" calipers on?

The D52 is a front large bore caliper found on both cars and trucks from the late 60’s thru the early 90’s.

You can use the stock GM D52, or several aftermarket calipers that are designed to be a replacement for them. As mentioned Wilwood makes one with two different piston sizes.


Search Google for D52 caliper applications to get a more complete listing.

[STOCKISH]

Looks sick with the Wilwood calipers. Another top notch product! Great work Captain!

[Captainfab]

As N2TRUX posted, the D52 calipers are found on the front of most full sized cars as well as the C10 and C20 trucks from '71-'87. The rotors are front rotors since the Astro vans didn't come with 4 wheel discs. At least that I know of. The application for rotor that I used was 1992-2002 AWD Astro/Safari van

Originally Posted by toms84ss

Couple of questions for you Captain. Are the rotors from the front or rear? And what will we find the GM "D52" calipers on?

Those are the Eldorado D52 calipers with the built in e-brake. Those are the ones you would use if you need an e-brake on this conversion. If you turn those in as cores, make sure you keep the e-brake levers. As far as I know you cannot buy replacements for them. And yes you can use 15" wheels as long as they are disc brake compatable.

Originally Posted by cpetersen

I believe these are D52 calipers? With these calipers and rotors off of the astro van they will work with 15" Wheels won't they?Attachment 576917

[shenk10]

So just for clarification the rotors that are used with these brackets are '92-'02 Astro AWD Vans? I have the wilwood calipers up front, and was thinking about matching them up, so all I would need is this bracket, rotors, and the calipers if I'm correct? I wasn't planning on running an e-brake so I'm not worried about that. Thanks

[Captainfab]

That is correct. One other item that you will need is a couple of brake hoses. Some guys are happy with using the front hoses for the '71-'72 pickups. Others use hoses for a '79 Chevette. Or you can go with some aftermarket braided stainless hoses. I haven't looked to see what hoses Wilwood offers for their dual piston D52's.

Originally Posted by shenk10

So just for clarification the rotors that are used with these brackets are '92-'02 Astro AWD Vans? I have the wilwood calipers up front, and was thinking about matching them up, so all I would need is this bracket, rotors, and the calipers if I'm correct? I wasn't planning on running an e-brake so I'm not worried about that. Thanks

[lolife99]

Look at Speedway Motors for brake hoses. They have both rubber and steel braided.
The Wilwood D52's take a 7/16-20 banjo bolt to secure the hose.
Some of the OEM C10 d52's take a 7/16-20 or a 10mm metric banjo bolt.

[cpetersen]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

As N2TRUX posted, the D52 calipers are found on the front of most full sized cars as well as the C10 and C20 trucks from '71-'87. The rotors are front rotors since the Astro vans didn't come with 4 wheel discs. At least that I know of. The application for rotor that I used was 1992-2002 AWD Astro/Safari van



Those are the Eldorado D52 calipers with the built in e-brake. Those are the ones you would use if you need an e-brake on this conversion. If you turn those in as cores, make sure you keep the e-brake levers. As far as I know you cannot buy replacements for them. And yes you can use 15" wheels as long as they are disc brake compatable.

I paid $50 a piece for those oem 76 caddie calipers, what i can't believe they are getting $40.00 a piece for the the e-brake. Core charge at NAPA is $66.00 for the calipers. $87.00 for the reman calipers.

[csbatey]

do you have to run a proportion valve! thanks

[Captainfab]

Yes, you have to run a proportioning valve of some sort. Some guys run the disc/drum proportioning valve with an adjustable on the rear line. Others run just a disc/disc proportioning valve.

Originally Posted by csbatey

do you have to run a proportion valve! thanks

[joeelutz]

Were there any GM vehicles made that used a D52 style caliper on a rear disc brake with a drum style parking brake inside the rotor?

[Captainfab]

No, none that I know of. By the time GM went to the e-brake shoes inside the rotor, they had gone to a different style of caliper.

Originally Posted by joeelutz

Were there any GM vehicles made that used a D52 style caliper on a rear disc brake with a drum style parking brake inside the rotor?

[Strut]

Does the 12 bolt rearend width (in a 72) stay the same with this kit installed?

[Captainfab]

No. the width increases aproximately 1/2", depending on the particular rotors you buy. If you can find a good useable set of original rotors, they had the thinner stamped steel hat. I haven't found that style available from the aftermarket, but you may be able to. So those wouldn't increase your width any.

Originally Posted by Strut

Does the 12 bolt rearend width (in a 72) stay the same with this kit installed?

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

No. the width increases aproximately 1/2", depending on the particular rotors you buy. If you can find a good useable set of original rotors, they had the thinnes stamped theed hat. I haven't found that style available from the aftermarket, but you may be able to. So those wouldn't increase your width any.

Any reason to worry about the lug stud length being too short?
Also 1/2" total width,... or per side?

[Captainfab]

I haven't checked to see if it would be a concern or not.....I probably should do that. Yeah that 1/2" is total, ~1/4" per side.

Originally Posted by lolife99

Any reason to worry about the lug stud length being too short?
Also 1/2" total width,... or per side?

[Burb]

Ok ... does Wilwood make a D52 replacement w/ E brake ?