85 K5 with stock GM 10 Bolts,,who makes a rear disc brake conversion?

[bmsmalley]

I have had this K5 for just over 2 years. I am ready to do something with it. My plan of attack has me starting with axles. I have factory 10 bolts front and rear. The rear has limited slip and the front is an open dif. My plans are to install a lock right in the front with new locking hubs. My question is, does anybody make a disc brake conversion for the rear 10 bolt?

 

[badmix]

wow..where to begin.

IMO, a locker should be in the BACK, not the front. I dont know if youve ever driven a locked truck b4, but when you lock the front, its very hard to turn/steer

2ndly, I really wouldnt bother putting disc convesion on a 10bolt rear, Im sure it can be done and if you really want to, im sure someone will help, but I would think there are better ways to spend money and time. DOes your truck not stop good? could be other issues. I think my K5 actually stops pretty good for disc/drum setup.

I put money into my 10bolt (new chromoly shafts and loc rite locker in the back with all new seals) but im limiting myself to only run 33" tires. So you need to see where you want this truck to be in a year, in 5 years, etc etc. Dont put money into the rear if you plan to upgrade to a 14ff later on. I knew I would be sticking with the 10bolt so I invested to make it the best 10bolt it can be. I dont wheel hard so I dont worry about breaking too much.

this is all just my opinon and hopefully someone will come along with the actual info you want.

 

[bmsmalley]

badmix thanks for the advise. I don't plan to upgrade the axles to something bigger anytime soon (like 14FF). Chromoly axles are interesting and I will look into it, where should I look? Could I run 36" tires with chromoly axles? My wheeling is going to light to moderate...that's what they all start off saying right...lol

My plans are 6" lift with crossover steering. I like the turn radius cross over will give me, and it looks cool. Other swaps/upgrades will be the stock 6.2L to a 350.

 

[jamber2541]

not sure if the 12 bolt caliper brackets will work, check with Ruffstuff, I beleive that who makes the 12 bolt brackets

 

[jonathon]

Can't remember who it was, but someone here used a stock half ton front backing plate and redrilled it to fit the 4 bolt pattern in the rear. I think he used newer K1500 front rotors which are the slip on type. Looked pretty slick, just can't remember who did it.

If I were you, I'd upgrade to 3/4 tons.. 10b rear is not going to be happy with much bigger than 33's, especially locked. The fronts seem to hold up well to 35's... but that is open. Lock it up and you be breaking shafts and u-joints.

3/4 tons are cheap... and may as well do the rear discs only once. Detroit's are also cheap for the 14ff.. only a little more than a lockright but much beefier.

 

[badmix]

badmix thanks for the advise. I don't plan to upgrade the axles to something bigger anytime soon (like 14FF). Chromoly axles are interesting and I will look into it, where should I look? Could I run 36" tires with chromoly axles? My wheeling is going to light to moderate...that's what they all start off saying right...lol

My plans are 6" lift with crossover steering. I like the turn radius cross over will give me, and it looks cool. Other swaps/upgrades will be the stock 6.2L to a 350.

I get all my driveline and gears, etc from Randys ring and pinon

http://www.ringpinion.com/

They have been a one stop shop for me.

I got their chromoly axles, 4:10 gears, loc rite locker, all seals and bearings.

You can run 36" with 10bolts but its not recommended, the big thing is dont try to light them up on pavement, thatll break them for sure. also if you get into mud and spin and then catch quickly, youll break u joints, driveshaft and/or axles. Just gotta know the limits of the 10bolt in a heavy truck like the K5. Ive had good luck with my build up, but I dont wheel hard either.

 

[Teck]

Classic Industries has a rear disc brake kit for a 10 bolt in their catolog on page 577.

 

[4X4HIGH]

Here is what you're looking for. http://www.tsmmfg.com/2531.htm

 

[Fabrimacator21]

Honestly I wouldn't even mess with it... step up to a 14bff. Only 100 bucks at your local yard and it comes with beefier brakes. By the time you put disc brakes and chromo's in the 10b you could have had a 14bff with matching gears, and you'll be 10x stronger. I can GUAREN-DAM-TEE you you'll wish you would have just gone with the 14bff later. I've never broke a 10b but I don't wheel hard at all because I know I'll break a 10b and all it takes is one broken axle shaft in a chitty spot to make to you realize you should have gone 14b.

My rig stops HARD with front discs and rear drums(both 10B's). I mean HARD. That thing will throw you into the dash quick.

 

[bmsmalley]

Thanks again to everybody that has put their opinions out there for me. I am now leaning toward a 14FF upgrade. This is obviouly a 8 bolt lug. What do I do to have the front match? Will the same 10bolt be enough or do I look for something beefier for the front?

 

[dhcomp]

For what you are doing, you don't need to go bigger in the front. You can look for a matching pair of 3/4 ton axles (14 sf or FF in back, 8 lug 10 bolt or dana 44 front), or you can find a donor 8 lug front and swap the knuckles/hubs/rotors.