72 rear disk brakes - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

magoo72 · 12-24-2003, 12:08 AM

i recently began my spare 3.08 rear end rebuild complete w/ all new bearings and seals,and while i was at it I done a little research in disk brakes. now i am a poor boy ,so i got to be a self taught engineer. so i found away around the 500 buck disk brake CONVERSION setup for my classic cruiser. this is the way to go if you dont have that kinda dough.
go to the yards and find a 85 or 86 caprice,you know the big ole taxi cab and state trooper style. with rear disk brakes. and get the roters. next find a mid 80;s mid size car like a cutlis or monte carlo etc. and rob the calipers. brackets can be found at your local racecar shop for bout 15 bucks a peice. weld or bolt on the brackets,slide on the roter ,mount your caliper ,do the plumbin and you got yourself some real stopping power when you need to get your classic whoeup in a hurry!
i paid 13 $ for my CALIPERS,37$ for the roters,and 30 for the brackets. 80 $ for the main hardware plus plumbing cost and new brake pads.
gimmmi a holler if ya got any questions . i will be glad to help !!
MR MAGOO
i will be postin some pics soon of my project .

FRENCHBLUE72 · 12-24-2003, 12:12 AM

Sweet ...Thank's for the low buck brake deal,just need to search the yard's now as most of the rear end's are long gone around here..

Andy4639 · 12-24-2003, 12:17 AM

Did you have to take the rearend apart to do any of this? If not I would really be interested in more details. I have been wanting to do this for a long time just didn't want to take the axiles apart. Can you bolt everything up with them in place? Pictures would be nice, and did you keep your e-brakes also?

cableguy0 · 12-24-2003, 12:19 AM

the cover will have to come off and the axles will need to come out to get the backing plates off from the drum brakes other than that you shouldnt have to take anything else apart axles dont take long at all to pull.

cableguy0 · 12-24-2003, 12:23 AM

also what did you do about a parking brake im assuming you used the front calipers from the monte why not just use the rears from the caprice as well

magoo72 · 12-24-2003, 12:33 AM

THE CAPRICE PARKING BRAKE WOULD HAVE WORKED IF I WOULD HAVE BOUGHT THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY .

cableguy0 · 12-24-2003, 12:39 AM

so the caprice calipers will work with the brackets? if thats the case i will just get new loaded calipers and rotors and do the swap that way

magoo72 · 12-24-2003, 12:43 AM

THE CAPRICE CALIPERS WOULD NOT WORK WITH MY BRACKETS

dinnut · 12-24-2003, 12:44 AM

wow. cool. how come you couldnt take everything from just one of the cars?

*racedvl* · 12-24-2003, 12:46 AM

The rear cailpers of them cars right? Also, I really don't have a local race shop. . . .

tommie · 12-24-2003, 12:46 AM

would the whole caprice set up work?

calipers, backing plates/brackets, e brake cable rotors?

if you took everything off of the caprice would it work?

cableguy0 · 12-24-2003, 12:53 AM

its a great idea but i aint giving up my e brake ya never know when your going to need it

gonebad2 · 12-24-2003, 12:54 AM

A buddy of mine knows how to do a similar setup. I think he said something about using Cadillac discs. He told me he has the parts for me and will install as soon as I heal up. He made the mounting brackets. I'll let you guys know how it went and what was involved. He was telling me the Caddy's have the same 5 lug pattern as the truck.

nitor · 12-24-2003, 01:08 AM

magoo72,

You said the brackets cost you $30. Where'd you get them?

Jim

1970Stepside · 12-24-2003, 02:12 AM

What did you do about the porportion valve? I know some of these valves are for drum/drum, disc/drum. Did you change it for disc/disc?

dinnut · 12-24-2003, 02:30 AM

mid 70s corvettes had 4 wheel discs.... so theyre masters and prop valves will work. just make sure they are for for 4 wheel discs!!!

Rooster's 67 · 12-24-2003, 06:28 AM

prop vavle for drum/drum should work for disk/disk if the valve does not have the residual valve in it. smae as far a masters.. the difference in disk/drum is that the bore diameters a most commonly different at the master.
there is actually a science to the design of brake systems. some where I have the formulas and rules for designing high performance brake systems IE: relationships and percentages of volumes between masters,disks,drums and weight bias and tying all of it together.

Best bet would to be to use the components availible from JEG's or Smilies for hold off valves,residuals and manual proportioning valves. that way you can tune the system to you particular truck (changes in stance,ride height, weight bias(front/back) tire sizes, can all affect the brake system. Then add in changing the actual brake components........make sure you are safe.

Its a B!Tc# when they wont go, But its a whole different issue when the truck wont stop.

knucklebuster · 12-24-2003, 07:58 AM

I'm doing the same on my rearend.I'm ordering the brackets from speedway.They've got bolt on and weld on brackets for around the the same price.Andy4639,My uncle did his this way but got his brackets from a raceshop in anderson.I can't think of the name of it but the guy builds or use to build busch cars.I think he paid 15 or 20 bucks for his.

nu2-72 · 12-24-2003, 08:04 AM

I recently blew a brake line(steel) on my daily driven truck. Lost all fluid and was about twenty miles from home. Not too far but a long ways without brakes.
I drove home using the ebrake. Left hand pulled the release handle to keep the brakes from locking and the left foot applied the brakes.
Not ideal but they were there and they worked.
My disc conversion will have Emergency Brakes. .

magoo72 · 12-28-2003, 03:15 AM

if any of you happy truck bui+

magoo72 · 12-28-2003, 03:30 AM

if any of you happy truck builders are lacking the location to purchase the neccessary brackets.i do have the ability to produce them in my shop ,if your willing to make it worth my while, i will whip you out a set and send them to ya...........
CORRECTION: the brake roters came off of a 96 caprice,not an 85.
and as for the e-brake, i know there is a way out there to hook it up ,i just have failed to locate it at this "junk shure" in my project.
i plan to take my 72 daily driver down during my vacation in february(DAYTONA SPEEDWEEK) and replacing my rearend,installing my new trailing arm bushings and tracking arm bushings,as well as my new 2 1/2 lower than stock front coil springs to replace my ""saggin"" 2 inch lower than stock coil springs on 1 side and my 2 1/2 on the other. it kinda looks like i am haulin a very large driver!!

*racedvl* · 12-30-2003, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by racedvl
The rear cailpers of them cars right? Also, I really don't have a local race shop. . . .

???

magoo72 · 12-31-2003, 02:05 AM

i cut out 10 sets of brackets today they will be ready to ship sometime next week. i will be getting back with all who wants a set as soon as i get my pics posted and my set up with pay pal.
please be patient i am working like santas elfs trying to get em ready to ship
have a safe and happy new year
mr magoo

jorgensensc · 12-31-2003, 02:38 AM

I'm interested in your brackats!! How much are they going for?? Will the calipers clear on a 15 inch rim?? I know the other setups won't (so I've been told)

magoo72 · 01-04-2004, 04:47 AM

HERE ARE A COUPLE OF STYLES I MAKE FOR 35$ A PAIR

12-24-2003, 12:08 AM	#1
magoo72 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: minden la Posts: 114	72 rear disk brakes i recently began my spare 3.08 rear end rebuild complete w/ all new bearings and seals,and while i was at it I done a little research in disk brakes. now i am a poor boy ,so i got to be a self taught engineer. so i found away around the 500 buck disk brake CONVERSION setup for my classic cruiser. this is the way to go if you dont have that kinda dough. go to the yards and find a 85 or 86 caprice,you know the big ole taxi cab and state trooper style. with rear disk brakes. and get the roters. next find a mid 80;s mid size car like a cutlis or monte carlo etc. and rob the calipers. brackets can be found at your local racecar shop for bout 15 bucks a peice. weld or bolt on the brackets,slide on the roter ,mount your caliper ,do the plumbin and you got yourself some real stopping power when you need to get your classic whoeup in a hurry! i paid 13 $ for my CALIPERS,37$ for the roters,and 30 for the brackets. 80 $ for the main hardware plus plumbing cost and new brake pads. gimmmi a holler if ya got any questions . i will be glad to help !! MR MAGOO i will be postin some pics soon of my project .

12-24-2003, 12:12 AM	#2
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,606	Sweet ...Thank's for the low buck brake deal,just need to search the yard's now as most of the rear end's are long gone around here.. __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

12-24-2003, 12:17 AM	#3
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Installing Disc Did you have to take the rearend apart to do any of this? If not I would really be interested in more details. I have been wanting to do this for a long time just didn't want to take the axiles apart. Can you bolt everything up with them in place? Pictures would be nice, and did you keep your e-brakes also? __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

12-24-2003, 12:19 AM	#4
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,948	the cover will have to come off and the axles will need to come out to get the backing plates off from the drum brakes other than that you shouldnt have to take anything else apart axles dont take long at all to pull. __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

12-24-2003, 12:23 AM	#5
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,948	also what did you do about a parking brake im assuming you used the front calipers from the monte why not just use the rears from the caprice as well __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

12-24-2003, 12:33 AM	#6
magoo72 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: minden la Posts: 114	THE CAPRICE PARKING BRAKE WOULD HAVE WORKED IF I WOULD HAVE BOUGHT THE ENTIRE ASSEMBLY .

12-24-2003, 12:39 AM	#7
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,948	so the caprice calipers will work with the brackets? if thats the case i will just get new loaded calipers and rotors and do the swap that way __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

12-24-2003, 12:43 AM	#8
magoo72 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: minden la Posts: 114	THE CAPRICE CALIPERS WOULD NOT WORK WITH MY BRACKETS

12-24-2003, 12:44 AM	#9
dinnut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: missouri city, tx Posts: 4,486	wow. cool. how come you couldnt take everything from just one of the cars? __________________ 70 longbed 496/th400/Ford 9"

12-24-2003, 12:46 AM	#10
racedvl Account Suspended Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Woodstock, IL Posts: 7,020	The rear cailpers of them cars right? Also, I really don't have a local race shop. . . .

12-24-2003, 12:46 AM	#11
tommie 97' Tahoe 2dr/2wd Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Huffman,TX Posts: 1,168	would the whole caprice set up work? calipers, backing plates/brackets, e brake cable rotors? if you took everything off of the caprice would it work?

12-24-2003, 12:53 AM	#12
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,948	its a great idea but i aint giving up my e brake ya never know when your going to need it __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

12-24-2003, 12:54 AM	#13
gonebad2 Merciless Butcher Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: CC Nevada Posts: 1,447	A buddy of mine knows how to do a similar setup. I think he said something about using Cadillac discs. He told me he has the parts for me and will install as soon as I heal up. He made the mounting brackets. I'll let you guys know how it went and what was involved. He was telling me the Caddy's have the same 5 lug pattern as the truck. __________________ Your Bought And Sold....I Got Your Soul!

12-24-2003, 01:08 AM	#14
nitor Too many projects Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Morrow, OH Posts: 344	magoo72, You said the brackets cost you $30. Where'd you get them? Jim __________________ Jim '55 Chevrolet Pickup '56 Chevrolet Belair '04 Chevrolet Astro '95 Chevrolet Blazer

12-24-2003, 02:12 AM	#15
1970Stepside Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: California Posts: 5	What did you do about the porportion valve? I know some of these valves are for drum/drum, disc/drum. Did you change it for disc/disc? __________________ My wife is gonna scream when she finds out how much money I have spent on my toy!



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12-24-2003, 02:30 AM	#16
dinnut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: missouri city, tx Posts: 4,486	mid 70s corvettes had 4 wheel discs.... so theyre masters and prop valves will work. just make sure they are for for 4 wheel discs!!! __________________ 70 longbed 496/th400/Ford 9"

12-24-2003, 06:28 AM	#17
Rooster's 67 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: DFW Posts: 765	prop vavle for drum/drum should work for disk/disk if the valve does not have the residual valve in it. smae as far a masters.. the difference in disk/drum is that the bore diameters a most commonly different at the master. there is actually a science to the design of brake systems. some where I have the formulas and rules for designing high performance brake systems IE: relationships and percentages of volumes between masters,disks,drums and weight bias and tying all of it together. Best bet would to be to use the components availible from JEG's or Smilies for hold off valves,residuals and manual proportioning valves. that way you can tune the system to you particular truck (changes in stance,ride height, weight bias(front/back) tire sizes, can all affect the brake system. Then add in changing the actual brake components........make sure you are safe. Its a B!Tc# when they wont go, But its a whole different issue when the truck wont stop. __________________ The problem with America is stupidity. I'm not saying there should be a capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety labels off of everything and let the problem solve itself?

12-24-2003, 07:58 AM	#18
knucklebuster Failure is NOT an option! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: greenwood s.c. Posts: 811	I'm doing the same on my rearend.I'm ordering the brackets from speedway.They've got bolt on and weld on brackets for around the the same price.Andy4639,My uncle did his this way but got his brackets from a raceshop in anderson.I can't think of the name of it but the guy builds or use to build busch cars.I think he paid 15 or 20 bucks for his. __________________ House payment or truck parts?????.........why does life have to be so complicated? 1969 Chevy Shortbed Fleetside 1969 Camaro ps pb a/c(drove in high school now it's just a yard ornament,but it's next on the list for resto) 1990 Ni$$an hardbody( daily beater that has been really beaten!) 1999 Grand Am GT(wifes ride...never buy a pontiac!!Trust Me)

12-24-2003, 08:04 AM	#19
nu2-72 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Amazonia, Mo. USA Posts: 2,821	I recently blew a brake line(steel) on my daily driven truck. Lost all fluid and was about twenty miles from home. Not too far but a long ways without brakes. I drove home using the ebrake. Left hand pulled the release handle to keep the brakes from locking and the left foot applied the brakes. Not ideal but they were there and they worked. My disc conversion will have Emergency Brakes. . __________________ 72 3/4 4x4 350 4spd 72 3/4 4x4 350 auto 2004 Duramax Silverado 4x4 2006 Duramax Crew cab 4x4 2010 Harley Ultra Limited 2011 Harley Street Glide

12-28-2003, 03:15 AM	#20
magoo72 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: minden la Posts: 114	brackets if any of you happy truck bui+

12-28-2003, 03:30 AM	#21
magoo72 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: minden la Posts: 114	BURN OUT if any of you happy truck builders are lacking the location to purchase the neccessary brackets.i do have the ability to produce them in my shop ,if your willing to make it worth my while, i will whip you out a set and send them to ya........... CORRECTION: the brake roters came off of a 96 caprice,not an 85. and as for the e-brake, i know there is a way out there to hook it up ,i just have failed to locate it at this "junk shure" in my project. i plan to take my 72 daily driver down during my vacation in february(DAYTONA SPEEDWEEK) and replacing my rearend,installing my new trailing arm bushings and tracking arm bushings,as well as my new 2 1/2 lower than stock front coil springs to replace my ""saggin"" 2 inch lower than stock coil springs on 1 side and my 2 1/2 on the other. it kinda looks like i am haulin a very large driver!!

12-31-2003, 02:05 AM	#23
magoo72 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: minden la Posts: 114	i cut out 10 sets of brackets today they will be ready to ship sometime next week. i will be getting back with all who wants a set as soon as i get my pics posted and my set up with pay pal. please be patient i am working like santas elfs trying to get em ready to ship have a safe and happy new year mr magoo

12-31-2003, 02:38 AM	#24
jorgensensc Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Cypress, Tx Posts: 4,005	I'm interested in your brackats!! How much are they going for?? Will the calipers clear on a 15 inch rim?? I know the other setups won't (so I've been told) __________________ 1972 C20 Suburban- Big Blue Betty '56 Chevy Bel Air Sedan- Frame up Restoration -What would you attempt to achieve if you knew you could not fail?- -I Refuse To Tiptoe Through Life, Only To Arrive Safely At Death's Door- R.I.P. EAST SIDE LOW LIFE

01-04-2004, 04:47 AM	#25
magoo72 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: minden la Posts: 114	BRACKET PICS HERE ARE A COUPLE OF STYLES I MAKE FOR 35$ A PAIR Attached Images

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