What’s the best, most complete, low hassle rear disc conversion these days?
CK5
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Rear Disc Conversion
- Thread starter Operator238
- Start date
Depend on if you want a parking brake or not ? You going to stay with 6 lug axles and wheels ?
Yes, plan on leaving everything the same, just want to convert
You will need to use the Eldorado rear caliper kits.
Those Eldorado calipers are kinda spendy, and somewhat fickle about staying adjusted.
I don’t mind keeping the drums, just don’t know anything about drum brakes or rebuilding them.
I’m a fan of rear discs but rear drums aren’t hard to rebuild, just take one side at a time apart and use the other side as a guide to reassemble
I have the specific tool from Snap-On, to adjust those Eldorado calipers. And, they still suck to keep adjusted.
Watch some videos and learn how to rebuild the drums, its not hard. Do one side, keep the other intact for reference, take pictures along the way.
Even with the elusive Eldorado calipers (which are expensive, very hard to find rebuild kits for, and generally suck, as stated) I really have not been able to consistently hold an e brake setting, and I can usually drive right through the applied e-brake. Pretty sure I would fail the Texas state inspection on that, nevermind the other stuff that is "wrong" on my K5.
You will also spend a huge amount of time just doing the conversion, in addition to the cost (not as cheap as it used to be).
If you are dead set on going disc, go disc, it will stop better once you work out all the bugs (Brake master, Prop valve, ebrake cables, bleeding and re-adjusting the calipers, and bleeding again....)
If you need to re-gear at all, just go find a newer style axle (e-brake in rotor hat, 2005?+) and adapt that whole axle to your truck (move spring and shock mounts)
Even with the elusive Eldorado calipers (which are expensive, very hard to find rebuild kits for, and generally suck, as stated) I really have not been able to consistently hold an e brake setting, and I can usually drive right through the applied e-brake. Pretty sure I would fail the Texas state inspection on that, nevermind the other stuff that is "wrong" on my K5.
You will also spend a huge amount of time just doing the conversion, in addition to the cost (not as cheap as it used to be).
If you are dead set on going disc, go disc, it will stop better once you work out all the bugs (Brake master, Prop valve, ebrake cables, bleeding and re-adjusting the calipers, and bleeding again....)
If you need to re-gear at all, just go find a newer style axle (e-brake in rotor hat, 2005?+) and adapt that whole axle to your truck (move spring and shock mounts)
Agree with the others, in the long run it depends on your long term goals, if you’re just looking to get new brakes and are thinking a disc swap since you need brakes anyway keep the drums. If you’re planning to build the truck up for wheeling and big tires (35” plus), you’d be money ahead to swap axles rather than throw money at 1/2 ton stuff. I swapped to rear disc on a 14bff because it was cheaper than buying shoes, drums and the associated parts, I gave up a parking brake because I really don’t need one and I’m happy with the braking performance compared to drums…..if you want to retain a parking brake I’d keep the drums or swap to a newer axle that’s already disc, you really can’t beat factory setups.
Only other option is to go drive line e brake, and normal front calipers. I think later model axle is the best way, to get rear discs. I still use rear drums on my fiber glass dune buggy with 31" tires. I find they don't lock up on soft loose surface, and tire continues to roll. This allows me to maintain traction off road.
I am using VW type 3 rear brake which are larger than your normal beetle rears. I am going to up the rear tires to 33's or maybe 35's. I may need to convert to disc then. Parking brake is still a pain for vw buggies too.
Wilwood might have a solution but be prepared $$$$$
I am using VW type 3 rear brake which are larger than your normal beetle rears. I am going to up the rear tires to 33's or maybe 35's. I may need to convert to disc then. Parking brake is still a pain for vw buggies too.
Wilwood might have a solution but be prepared $$$$$
