hidesertwheelin
1/2 ton status
what modifications did you you make? I'm currently running them on my burb and I'm meh about them. It's a 1/2 ton truck with stock master cylinder and a 14-bolt FF in the rear.
CK5
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For those that have caddy calipers and are happy with them
- Thread starter hidesertwheelin
- Start date
Stomis
Professional Amateur
Im not sure if the parking brake calipers on my short bed are caddy calipers or not. They were sold to me as "metric GM" parking brakes calipers and they works awesome.
I have the 80;s Eldorado rears and the caddy ebrake cable and they work great. You have to use the parking brake every time to keep them adjusted properly.
hidesertwheelin
1/2 ton status
I have the 76-78 Eldorado ones. Are the newer ones better? I thought there was a reason not to use them? But that was 7 or 8 years ago when I put them on, so maybe things have changed.
Newer ones had thinner rotors/calipers. Normally why they aren't used. I vaguely recall that there were some 6 lug rotors off a toyota or something that might have been the right thickness and bolt pattern for the later Cadillac calipers, but not aware of any 8 lug pattern that would be the same way.
They might "work" better since they most likely have smaller pistons. May not stop as well, but also may not have as much bias problems as some people do with the earlier ones.
"Metric" normally refers to the A/G-bodies from 78-88 AFAIK, perhaps some include all the GM vehicles from that time frame in the same group. Dumb way to designate them, but I digress.
They might "work" better since they most likely have smaller pistons. May not stop as well, but also may not have as much bias problems as some people do with the earlier ones.
"Metric" normally refers to the A/G-bodies from 78-88 AFAIK, perhaps some include all the GM vehicles from that time frame in the same group. Dumb way to designate them, but I digress.
Stomis
Professional Amateur
This is the kit I have on the street truck.
http://www.quickperformance.com/Weld-On-Disc-Brake-Kit_p_16007.html
http://www.quickperformance.com/Weld-On-Disc-Brake-Kit_p_16007.html
Makes sense, look like thinner rotors to me, and 5 lug.
Can't drill the 5 lug rotors for the 6 lug pattern though, right?
Camaro's also used rear disks, but different calipers (in the 80's anyway, the e-brakes on those seem to be easily broken) so the 5 lug rotors might be sourced from those.
Can't drill the 5 lug rotors for the 6 lug pattern though, right?
Camaro's also used rear disks, but different calipers (in the 80's anyway, the e-brakes on those seem to be easily broken) so the 5 lug rotors might be sourced from those.
Stomis
Professional Amateur
Well Im sure you could find some sort of rotor to work. The kit is 5 lug because its made for cars.
I used the 89 chevy 4x4 front rotors, had to have the center machined to fit the 60 hub on the rear. this was the kit recommended by Warn
Stomis
Professional Amateur
He has the later Cadillac calipers, I think he is saying that the *rotors* from the '89 (with a machined hub), are the right width for the later calipers.
Stomis
Professional Amateur
Ah that would make sense if it works across the board for later calipers. Like I said my late ones grab awesome once adjusted good.
I don't believe they are really any different functionally than the older ones, just the size is different. Plus the later ones were used a lot longer, so should be far cheaper to acquire.
I had looked into this swap in the past, pretty sure I already have the calipers somewhere (yes I have piles of them) but could never find a "bolt on" rotor, which pretty much stopped my thinking on it. At this point, having a couple rotors machined to make this sort of swap happen isn't a big deal. An off the shelf solution would be nice, but if it takes a few more dollars to make it happen, so be it.
I had looked into this swap in the past, pretty sure I already have the calipers somewhere (yes I have piles of them) but could never find a "bolt on" rotor, which pretty much stopped my thinking on it. At this point, having a couple rotors machined to make this sort of swap happen isn't a big deal. An off the shelf solution would be nice, but if it takes a few more dollars to make it happen, so be it.
Dorian
You are correct on this. Bad job on my part. I have a Warn full float on my blazer. That is the reason for machine work, it uses a bolt on 60 spindle and hub with the 6 bolt pattern. When Warn designed this, they used the Caddy rear disks( with e brake) and the front rotor off 1989 4 wheel pickup.
Some trucks needed the proportioning valve changed or modified. Some used the bigger Master Cylinder. Bigger brake lines. It can vary for each truck.
I have the 76-78 caddy calipers and I won't go back to drums. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with the drum brakes. I decided to do the swap because I got the calipers pretty cheap and rebuilt them. I bought the spring and lever kit from an aftermarket supplier (have the reciept somewhere). And the brakes work great. No complaints.
As stated above.....THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH DRUM BRAKES. This was for personal preference (I got caught up in the moment, alright?)
Stomis
Professional Amateur
Im not so sure. Last time I priced older caddy ebrake calipers they were going to be over $200 a side w/ no core and the high 100s with a core.
Prices at rockauto.com, without core. Used 1985, year span is 1979-1985 IIRC. I have no idea which ones are being used, but appear Seville and Eldorado used same pieces. These are the only Cadillac applications shown with rear disks:
Seville and Eldorado: ~$70/side.
Deville: ~$75/side
You said the early ones are/were over $200 side with no core, that sounds about right to me.
Seville and Eldorado: ~$70/side.
Deville: ~$75/side
You said the early ones are/were over $200 side with no core, that sounds about right to me.
Stomis
Professional Amateur
Am I correct in saying those should be the same calipers I linked that I have on my street truck no? The smaller, GM "metric" parking brake caliper?
I'd have to guess yes. AFAIK the later, smaller calipers are just scaled down from the ones that have been more commonly used up until now.
No idea what the difference is between the two I found for 1985, but with a price difference, something must be.
I think I was wrong on the years. Looks like at least the Seville got smaller in 1980. I just didn't keep up on the Cadillacs, as the earlier calipers were the only ones I'd heard of anyone using up until now, so figured that was all that would work, at least as a near bolt-on deal.
No idea what the difference is between the two I found for 1985, but with a price difference, something must be.
I think I was wrong on the years. Looks like at least the Seville got smaller in 1980. I just didn't keep up on the Cadillacs, as the earlier calipers were the only ones I'd heard of anyone using up until now, so figured that was all that would work, at least as a near bolt-on deal.
Dorian
You are correct on this. Bad job on my part. I have a Warn full float on my blazer. That is the reason for machine work, it uses a bolt on 60 spindle and hub with the 6 bolt pattern. When Warn designed this, they used the Caddy rear disks( with e brake) and the front rotor off 1989 4 wheel pickup.
Sidetrack:
You're using a front hub in your rear axle? Does that mean that you can have rear lockouts?
I don't know why, but this idea intrigues me...
