My rear disc conversion article

[swervin ervin]

I have started on the article on my conversion. Here is a rough draft so far. I am not done with it yet as you can see. Take a look at it and give me your feedback. If you have questions or suggestions about something, let me know so I can cover it in the article. It's hard to write things like this and make it so everyone can understand everything. I like to make things simple but sometimes I overlook stuff.

When I get done with the conversion I will make all the final touchups of the article and Jeff is going to put it on 73-87.com

Thanks for looking.

[shavedchevy]

You just make it to easy for everyone else to do Mike. Keep up the good work. Before you know it everyone will have rear disc brakes.

[gldevall]

Looks good. How about a total price? Or range $300-400? ANd time frame?

[bigblock73]

The article looks great Mike!

The only thing I would suggest, is to have a before and after shot of the brakes...as well as a before and after shot of them with your wheels on.

It is more or less just for show, but the change is huge and I am sure most would like to see what it looks like behind the wheel.

Looking forward to putting it on the site.

BTW, check out the new garage page.

[87 Shortwide]

Since you have done most of the hard stuff for us, Im thinkin I will be doing this swap too. Afterall, I have to have my rearend narrowed already so it will be torn down, and I have to install a line lock so I will have the front broke down. That serves as a perfect excuse to wedge some discs in there

[HennyM]

Hey, Great Job! I've been considering this conversion for my '87 1-Ton 4X4. What about stopping power? I don't think those Caddy calipers are big enough for my truck. What did you not like about the driveshaft parking brake? Because I am a retail shop owner I am paranoid about the safety issues. Your deal looks like a pretty safe install. Post pics of final install w/wheels on.
Good Luck, TTFN, H.

[Blue Beard]

Great looking article so far.....can't wait to see the complete article..

[Tom]

I was hoping you would write one of these up

[twoodson]

Well I'll be damn, Magic Mike has done it again. Great article and pics. I am shipping my truck to you...lol Keep it up!!

[ocbaud]

how big of a difference are the new brakes?

[swervin ervin]

Not done yet. Watched the race today and got started late working on them again. All I have left to do is bleed the brakes. Everything else is hooked up. I should finish everything tomorrow and take it for a test drive.

I was asked if the brackets would hit on 15" wheels. So, I checked today with my old 15" ralleys. Well they did hit on the bracket corners beside the caliper mounting holes. I changed the templets so the corners will be round. With the corners hitting I couldn't get the wheel on all the way. It looks like the calipers will clear, although they are close. I don't have a problem with my 17's for sure.

Hooking up the park brake cables was a lot of fun. The drivers side fit perfect. The passenger side is too long. I cut the cable and used a bolt with a hole drilled through it with a nut for a cable end. Works great.

Anyway, I hope to get done tomorrow.

[ocbaud]

how would i go about printing these to make sure they are both the right size?

[swervin ervin]

Originally posted by ocbaud
how would i go about printing these to make sure they are both the right size?

Where it says, "To download a zip file of full size templets, click here." Click on the word here. Open them in a photo editing program and print them out.

[ocbaud]

i know that part

after they are printed, the holes that are supposed to be drilled do not line up.

i'm wanting to make sure that i print them at the correct size. are they both supposed to fit on normal printer paper?

[swervin ervin]

Eric,

I noticed this too. I have removed the zip file. I'm working on getting the templets right. Give me a day or so to rework everything.

[ocbaud]

alright

[swervin ervin]

Eric,

check the templets now. I think everything is right now. Read the How to print text file I've included with the zip file. Let me know if it works correctly for you. I checked it several times and it came out perfect.

Mike

[Izzy]

Awesome.

Posted this on FSC, hope you don't mind.

[swervin ervin]

No, I don't mind. I hope it helps anyone who is thinking about doing this. I would have loved it if I could have found something like this when I started.

I just need to finish it.

One more thing. This url is temporary. When it's done, Jeff is putting it on 73-87.com and the url will be different. Just a FYI.

[82 Silverado 4X]

Excellent Job Mike. With some slight adaptation of the brackets your conversion might be applied to other makes and models of both cars and trucks. I might even attempt to adapt the same setup to my 61 Convertible. Thanks for the great write up with the pics.

[82 'ject]

This is off topic Swervin but I was just wondering when BigBlock73 took over your website. I've been checking that site for years and it is actually how I found this site. I was just wondering how to checkup on your truck?

[gchemist]

Looks good Mike. Wish I could get a ride when you're done.

[swervin ervin]

What are you looking at G? I pulled the article until I get finished with it.

[gchemist]

I looked at the article when you first posted it. I just didn't have time to write or read all of it, but I liked it.

[ElGracho]

Brought back from the dead.

Mike, what ever happened with this article?