CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.
Front and rear brakes upgrade for 71 Blazer
- Thread starter jffsmd
- Start date
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2000
- Posts
- 9,126
- Reaction score
- 7,090
I would keep your eyes open for a set of one tons 14 bolt and Dana 60 if you want to wheel it hard, if not then it shouldn't be too hard to find a disc swap set for the rear.
If you are going for the axle swap then also figure what size tires you want to run and decide what gear ratio would be best for the set up and look for someone upgrading with the ratio you want.
if swapping you will most likely have to move rear perches since the swapped axle will come from a newer truck.
If you are going for the axle swap then also figure what size tires you want to run and decide what gear ratio would be best for the set up and look for someone upgrading with the ratio you want.
if swapping you will most likely have to move rear perches since the swapped axle will come from a newer truck.
Really only two options.........................
1) Bigger axles, good upgrade but not always needed or wanted. But if your going 35 inches or bigger on the tires PLAN on it.
2) My front upgrade and swap in a 99 up disk rear end. http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=316597
1) Bigger axles, good upgrade but not always needed or wanted. But if your going 35 inches or bigger on the tires PLAN on it.
2) My front upgrade and swap in a 99 up disk rear end. http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=316597
The axle swap thing, although I know it's the right thing to do, puts a sour taste in my mouth because I had the axles to swap in and they were stolen. Does no one make strong axle shafts worthy of any type of wheeling? I have 35's on it now and haven't had any issues but I haven't taken it into the rocks yet. Another reason that I am reluctant to do the axle swap is That I have put a link suspension on the front with coil overs and got rid of the leafs and plan to do the same to the rear. I appreciate your input. Thank you.
1)See my response above.
2) nice job. Nothing can just be easy can it?
Thanks for the input.
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2000
- Posts
- 9,126
- Reaction score
- 7,090
I had a 12 bolt rear and Dana 44 front and did a bunch of light wheeling on 31 inch tires and had zero problems. They do make upgraded shafts. I currently have a 14 bolt rear and a 10 bolt front. Front is welded. 
, but it has been pretty good. I do brake a fair amount of hubs and as I type I am in the middle of swapping a front axle shaft because I broke the stub. But that is after 8 years of wheeling on 37 inch tires.
Build it at your own pace and when you can afford it. Besides lots of parts available from people going to bigger axles.
, but it has been pretty good. I do brake a fair amount of hubs and as I type I am in the middle of swapping a front axle shaft because I broke the stub. But that is after 8 years of wheeling on 37 inch tires. Build it at your own pace and when you can afford it. Besides lots of parts available from people going to bigger axles.
Then the EASY swap is to find a rear axle from a 01-04 Suburban, Tahoe, or Avalanche. They are factory disk AND linked with coils. Should make your rear job MUCH easier.
I am not convinced of the value of rear discs. Drums are heavy, yes, but switching to discs can mean switching the rest of your hydraulic system and can be a pain. (Echoing: This is the voice of experience... 
) I have a million posts on that you can read about if you wanna hear me whine.
That said, assuming you have a Dana 44 front, Wilwood makes a nice dual-piston caliper in the D52 size that will drop right on, and they make a smaller metric one that should be adaptable to your rear axle. You could do those and maybe some of their fancy pads, get your rotors surfaced, and be in good shape.
I used the larger piston size up front and the smaller in the rear on my disc/disc truck. I've also switched to hydroboost instead of vacuum, with a matching master cylinder and a disc/disc proportioning valve. Even on 35"s, the truck stops on the proverbial dime.
-- A
) I have a million posts on that you can read about if you wanna hear me whine.That said, assuming you have a Dana 44 front, Wilwood makes a nice dual-piston caliper in the D52 size that will drop right on, and they make a smaller metric one that should be adaptable to your rear axle. You could do those and maybe some of their fancy pads, get your rotors surfaced, and be in good shape.
I used the larger piston size up front and the smaller in the rear on my disc/disc truck. I've also switched to hydroboost instead of vacuum, with a matching master cylinder and a disc/disc proportioning valve. Even on 35"s, the truck stops on the proverbial dime.
-- A
