CK5
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Brakes..
- Thread starter 79jenny
- Start date
What do u mean exactly?
Not trying to do anything.. just thought that disc would be better then drums ? Yeah they all work fine...to swap from drums to disc requires a axle swap ?? Don't know much sorry..
No worries at all, sometimes defining the question raises more questions
A conversion kit isn’t really that cheap , and entails possible changes in the rest of the system
If the axle in the truck is tired, swapping in a entire assembly out of a new truck may get all of the brake parts and a better axle for less $$ or effort.
So asking questions can be good for that, too
Disc brakes on the rear are needed when you go up to a huge tire. After a certain size the drums just won't do.
Going to disc conversion on rear, creates a parking brake issue. The solutions aren't very good.
Many kits use the old Cadillac rear caliper ,it has a cable operated parking brake mechanism that moves then locks the caliper piston. I think these calipers are to small for large tires. They can be difficult to adjust, and have a higher potential to leak.
Using a normal gm front caliper on rear would be adequate, but no provisions for parking brake.
A rear drive line mechanical drum or disc adapted to the t case would be the solution here, but is expensive.
A late model gm truck axle with disc brakes will have a small drum parking brake. These axles are similar to our original axles.
Some even have the same bolt circles to match our wheels. The newer one went metric and our wheel will not bolt up.
You will need to match the gear ratios front and rear.
In my experience a disc brake will lock up faster than a drum.
If you are on soft loose terrain, this could be bad.
Remember all the new trucks with rear disc brakes have computer controlled antilock brakes.
Going to disc conversion on rear, creates a parking brake issue. The solutions aren't very good.
Many kits use the old Cadillac rear caliper ,it has a cable operated parking brake mechanism that moves then locks the caliper piston. I think these calipers are to small for large tires. They can be difficult to adjust, and have a higher potential to leak.
Using a normal gm front caliper on rear would be adequate, but no provisions for parking brake.
A rear drive line mechanical drum or disc adapted to the t case would be the solution here, but is expensive.
A late model gm truck axle with disc brakes will have a small drum parking brake. These axles are similar to our original axles.
Some even have the same bolt circles to match our wheels. The newer one went metric and our wheel will not bolt up.
You will need to match the gear ratios front and rear.
In my experience a disc brake will lock up faster than a drum.
If you are on soft loose terrain, this could be bad.
Remember all the new trucks with rear disc brakes have computer controlled antilock brakes.
What size tires are you running
I think rear disc has its place but if the truck is stock or near stock it’s overkill. Other things can improve braking without going disc.
Ditching the vacuum booster for a hydro boost makes a big improvement without putting rear disc on. But like anything else one change forces others. You need a hydro boost specific brake pedal as the hole for the pushrod is different. Plus the obvious addition of hoses off of the power steering to the booster.
Another change that helps is bigger drums. The swap to a 14bolt full floater gained me drums that are 12”x2” over the smaller half ton stuff. There’s obvious changes that come with an axle swap too.
Brings me back around to the idea if it’s close to stock with 33”-35” tires the factory brakes are ok.
Ditching the vacuum booster for a hydro boost makes a big improvement without putting rear disc on. But like anything else one change forces others. You need a hydro boost specific brake pedal as the hole for the pushrod is different. Plus the obvious addition of hoses off of the power steering to the booster.
Another change that helps is bigger drums. The swap to a 14bolt full floater gained me drums that are 12”x2” over the smaller half ton stuff. There’s obvious changes that come with an axle swap too.
Brings me back around to the idea if it’s close to stock with 33”-35” tires the factory brakes are ok.
My 14bff is 13"x2.25" I think the semi float are the smaller size. I wouldn't put money on it thou
driving both ways on my trucks i can say play only and BIG tires go disk rear .... but if not and do towing go biggest drum option offered . i have had a few times my truck pulling a trailer wants to push threw the typical disk swap rear stuff using calipers from the front . i am almost ready if i keep the 1 truck together to go back to drum brake .
if you want the best of both worlds go newer axle with disk and drum-ebrake setup and be good to go .
if you want the best of both worlds go newer axle with disk and drum-ebrake setup and be good to go .
33' BFG'S All Terrain
Stock brakes will have no problem with 33's
Stay stock. Easy to source parts, and works just fine.
Martin
Martin
