14 bolt SF disc brakes

[Russell]

Does anyone know if you can take the disc brakes off a 00+ 14 bolt semi floater and bolt them onto a mid 80s 14 bolt semi floater?

Both axles are 8 lug, I have a transfer case mounted driveline brake, so no need for hooking up the e-brakes.

 

[hd44blazer]

when i had my semi floater i considered this as well and one day came across a newer body style gm truck in my local pick n pull with the complete disc brake setup and thought awesome everything I'll need is right here, but when i had disassembled them down to the caliper brackets i found that they have this odd asymmetric bolt pattern on the axle tube flange not like the symmetrical pattern the drum brake backing plates have so the brackets don't bolt up

i was so disappointed but hope this helps

 

[Russell]

Was the hub center the same? New bolt holes are easy enough to achieve!

 

[hd44blazer]

i don't really remember, i didn't measure or anything i just looked at the pattern and was like wtf and left it but the bracket was like a cast piece

but if it helps more i know of two aftermarket bracket kits
http://www.offroaddirect.com/GM-14-Bolt-Semi-Floating-8-LUG-disc-brake-brackets-w-hardware_p_55.html
and this place which is far more pricey than the first but says it includes rotors
http://www.tsmmfg.com/2631.htm

 

[Russell]

Thanks for the info man!

I'm gonna pick up the SF axle I've got my eyes on just to check the hub center and see if a guy can adapt the backing plate anyways. The axle is cheap enough, and gets me a spare set of axle shafts to keep on hand for spares.

The only real push for using OEM vs aftermarket is the fact that the brakes are a little better protected with the backing plate vs just hanging out in the open like with custom bolt on brackets.

 

[COCHEV]

myabe i'm missing something, but what about useing the whole axle as it is and moveing the spring perches and shock mounts to work in your rig

 

[Russell]

I suppose that would be an option as well... I just had a set of 5.13s and an ARB locker installed in the old housing. But I'd spend just as much on a disc brake conversion for the old axle as getting the goodies swapped over into the new one.

This is going into a GMT400 truck, so the perches on the new axle would probably line up anyways

 

[Blue85]

What about cutting the mounting surface off the axle tube and welding it to the old axle? Then the new style brakes would be a complete bolt-on/replace affair.

Maybe it helps to hear what I did. I basically grafted 1/2-ton front brakes onto the 14b s/f. So the calipers pads, pins and backing plates are all front parts. The holes in the backing plates were enlarged and the new 4-bolt mounting pattern drilled in. Then spacers were made (1.25" or 1.5" I think) to fit between the axle tube plate and the backing plate. This distance could vary depending on what length axle-shaft you have. Then the rotors are 1/2-ton mid-90's front rotors which sit perfectly on the 6-lug shafts.

About the spacers - they are 1" solid stock and then some washers. I think pipe would have been OK, but looking back, grinding off that mounting plate and rewelding it would probably be best.