Rear Disc Brakes

[cocky]

I have a 70 k5. Front discs and rear drums. If i keep my 1/2 ton axles i have been thinking about doing a rear disc conversion. I was under the impression that this will significantly increase your braking power but i talked to a guy today that said this is not true and rear discs are just for show.. So my question is, will it help? Thanks in advance for any information.

Richard
1970 k5 Blazer
Don't stand in front of a train naked

 

[Jason73K5]

You might not get a huge increase in braking power, but you should get some. The main advantage in using discs is in the ease of maintenance. Discs are also cool down and dry off much quicker, so you should have less fade and still have brakes after going through water.

 

[White Knight]

They'll work better than drums, and aren't as prone to fading, but the front brakes still do most of the work when traveling forward, the guy you talked too dosen't know that much about disc brakes, or has a lack of experience with them, TSM has a great conversion package for the rear by the way......ask that dude why race cars run discs at all four corners, or why motorcycles have 'em in front and back?....White Knight

 

[Corey-88K5]

Another main advantage to Disc's is the fact that you don't have to run home after wheeling and tear the rear tires off to wash out your drums. Discs are self cleaning, they do offer better stopping ability, as WK said, why do all the HP vehicles have them, and other vehicles offer them as a option? If it was just for looks, I wouldn't be willing to pay the money for it. heck, for the $350 I paid for them on my rearend (that will SOMEDAY be put into my blazer) I could have did a lot of stuff that would have made a big difference looks wise...

Corey
88K5

<font color=blue>Girls Like Guys In Bow Ties</font color=blue>
<font color=red>http://www.geocities.com/corey_perez

 

[Eagle86K5]

When you change the drums to rotors...do you have to change the proportion valve as well?

Just askin...

<font color=green>Eagle86K5

<font color=red>Only guy I know that can get out of line in a one car funeral

 

[Jason73K5]

Yes, you should change the proportioning valve as well. You should use either a valve designed specifically for that setup or an adjustable valve.

 

[**DONOTDELETE**]

What does the 14 bolt FF TSM kit come with and what would I need to find?


<font color=red>The last time I tried smokin' my tires, the mud put'em out !! BigBurb

 

[Eagle86K5]

I think I saw an adjustable one in the LMC catalog...can't recall the price.
You know it would seem that someone would put together a nice kit that would incompass all the required parts to do the job.

<font color=green>Eagle86K5

<font color=red>Only guy I know that can get out of line in a one car funeral

 

[Mudzer]

TSM contacts???

Anybody know how to get ahold of the people at TSM? I have a used TSM kit for my 12 bolt and I need to ask some questions.

<font color=red>Mudzer</font color=red>
1978/91 K5 Blazer

 

[cocky]

Re: TSM contacts???

TSM phone number is (303)688-6882. Also thanks for all the information about rear discs

Richard
1970 k5 Blazer
Don't stand in front of a train naked

 

[AZK5]

Drums have a higher static holding force than discs, but discs are better at everything else. Disc brakes cool quicker, self clean, and fade less. A great combination is discs in the front and drums in the rear. A rear drum emergency brake is the best. If you wheel in mud and water a lot then rear disc brakes would be beneficial.
CB

 

[Kyle89K5]

OffRoad Unlimited has a complete kit for the 14-bolt rear. You can order it with the e-brake or without. I think it comes with a new master cylinder as well. The thing ain't cheap though, something like $1500 with the e-brake.

http://www.offroadunlimited.com

Kyle
89K5

 

[dremu]

Yeah, what up with that. Why the flock are they $600 more for an "e-brake" caliper... I take it they don't have the manual activation that the more expensive ones do ... but six hundred smackers??

-- A

'74 K5 Blazer "Tank Grrl"
'77 Chalet sans Blazer
and more to come...

 

[kim tate]

I went to a "sportmans" trade show several years ago and spoke with a Honda ATV technician. He said the buying public wants their ATVs to be equipped like their modern SUVs, meaning disc brakes all around. Technician said the better setup is actually drums on all four wheels, weather/water tight. Keep the road out of the drums and they are safer and more dependable. With discs you may need some braking distance to dry/clean the rotors. Distance may not be available in some situations.

 

[Corey-88K5]

As far as the adjustable valve, get one from Summitracing.com, you are looking for about $50 for it. And if you are gettinga TSM kit and want the rear p-brake calipers, go the the junkyard, I got my "cores" for $15 ea. than go to Autozone or soemthing like that and pay the $30 for the calipers each, and never mind about the $80 each for the core charges.

Someday I'll write up a bit of info about my disc conversion... Well I guess I need to get it in first...

Corey
88K5

<font color=blue>Girls Like Guys In Bow Ties</font color=blue>
<font color=red>http://www.geocities.com/corey_perez

 

[jarheadk5]

Another 2 cents...
Stainless Steel Brakes also sells disc conversions. Never heard a bad word about them, other than slightly high price (but for something like brakes, I'm willing to pay for quality, and I hope YOU are too). www.stainlesssteelbrakes.com
The new Four Wheeler mag has a review of Warn's 10-bolt full-floater kit; discs are an option.

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