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Dana 60 brake Questions.

CharlesC83

CharlesC83

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I will be swapping a Chevy Kingpin Dana 60 into my 79 k10 soon. Tires will be 38x12.50R15 swampers, wheels are BART 15x10 3.5" B/S steelies. I will still be Vacuum assist booster for a while. So it will be Dana 60 disc front, 14BFF drum rear vacuum assist. Yes, I know 15's are old school and running a larger wheel would require no grinding or smaller brakes but I like 15's.

I have researched lots of info on grinding brakes VS. Running 3/4 ton calipers and rotors. I would like to hear some real world experience from guys who have run either setup on performance and what you would do in my situation.

Would you grind the 60 calipers to fit the 15's? Or order the caliper mount and 3/4 ton rotors ETC? It will obviously cost me more $$$ at this point to get the mounts and other rotors to go 3/4 ton. I already have purchased pads for the stock 60 calipers, but only 35$ pads. And was going to turn the 60 rotors.

My original plan was to run the Stock 60 brakes and grind, but I am now second guessing myself.

Those who have done this, chime in on what you did and what your setup was/is. As I said, I have searched and read Tons but I still want to hear some advice from those who have done this.
 
I would not go with bigger tires and then swap to smaller brakes.

While I run 16.5's, I would (carefully) grind the calipers for 15's before going to smaller brakes with any tire bigger than a 35".
 
nvrenuf said:
I would not go with bigger tires and then swap to smaller brakes.

While I run 16.5's, I would (carefully) grind the calipers for 15's before going to smaller brakes with any tire bigger than a 35".
Click to expand...

I have already purchased and mounted the 38's and may go bigger later.
 
nvrenuf said:
Right, so why decrease your braking abilities?
Click to expand...

I had the same thought at first, that the bigger brakes will be more powerful. Then, I have seen some people jabbering on about the 3/4 ton brakes have a firmer pedal feel and you don't have to grind the caliper to fit 15's. And they have enough power to stop larger tires. But financially I would rather run the 60 brakes, unless the 3/4 brakes are the best route somehow.

I would much rather just keep the bigger brakes and grind them to fit. And I appreciate your knowledge. I just wanted to hear from the talking heads of actual large tire, but still vacuum assist brake crowd. If you are saying Keep the 60 brakes I will keep leaning that way. I probably didn't need to start a thread about this, but I hate making mistakes. One reason I asked here on CK5 VS. Pirate. To avoid the flaming...:D
 
Yeah, no flame suites required here LOL

Fwiw, I have 43's with D60 brakes (front AND rear) and love them. I'm using a '99 C3500 master cylinder and (gasp) no proportioning valve with zero issues.
 
I say grind the d60 calipers and brackets. I still use the ground down calipers on my blazer that I clearanced 15 years ago. I did have to grind the 3/4 ton discs as well. I had 4.25 bs 15x10 rims.
 
Appreciate the responses so far. I will plan on grinding the calipers when I get there . Will probably put it in my "build" thread. This is my first one ton swap out of 3 squarebodies owned so far.
 
CharlesC83 said:
I will be swapping a Chevy Kingpin Dana 60 into my 79 k10 soon. Tires will be 38x12.50R15 swampers, wheels are BART 15x10 3.5" B/S steelies. I will still be Vacuum assist booster for a while. So it will be Dana 60 disc front, 14BFF drum rear vacuum assist. Yes, I know 15's are old school and running a larger wheel would require no grinding or smaller brakes but I like 15's.

I have researched lots of info on grinding brakes VS. Running 3/4 ton calipers and rotors. I would like to hear some real world experience from guys who have run either setup on performance and what you would do in my situation.

Would you grind the 60 calipers to fit the 15's? Or order the caliper mount and 3/4 ton rotors ETC? It will obviously cost me more $$$ at this point to get the mounts and other rotors to go 3/4 ton. I already have purchased pads for the stock 60 calipers, but only 35$ pads. And was going to turn the 60 rotors.

My original plan was to run the Stock 60 brakes and grind, but I am now second guessing myself.

Those who have done this, chime in on what you did and what your setup was/is. As I said, I have searched and read Tons but I still want to hear some advice from those who have done this.
Click to expand...
Definitely do not downgrade your brakes, just grind
 
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