Is it worth it to change the rear drums to disc?

[99-LS1-SS]

I'm on the fence on this. I want to be able to stop good but is it a significant difference between rear discs and rear drum? I have discs on the front from the factory.

Thanks.

[hotrodhomi]

since most of your braking is done in the front, you would get more benefit from upgrading your front to a big brake kit.

[99-LS1-SS]

I like the look of the stock truck rally rims so I'm limited on front brake size. I'll run it with the drum initially and if I don't like it I'll see about upgrading the front and/or the rear brakes.

[SCOTI]

This is one of those hard to answer questions....

My personal take is w/decent adjustment of previous trucks braking systems (fresh pads, shoes, 12" OE front fotors, 11x2" rear drums) I've always been able to get the rears to easily lock-up. Seems swapping to discs would only do the same (if not sooner).

I would think more benefit could be had w/a more rigid dual piston caliper on a 12" front rotor (to allow those 15" ralleys) & maybe using the HD rear drums w/a bias adjustment to the rears for dialing them in & preventing rear lock-up.

Of course, if the budget allows for a disc swap, the discs can be adjusted in a similar fashion. They would definitely withstand continuous/harsh duty better than drums.

[hotrodhomi]

You can use these to upgrade your fronts and still fit your 15" wheels.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by hotrodhomi

You can use these to upgrade your fronts and still fit your 15" wheels.

I have yet to see any data that proves/disproves those are better/worse vs. OE D52 style calipers. They certainly look more appealing, but wonder how much actual improvement there would be as far as applied force to the rotors surface area.



It would be cool to see some comparitive evaluations.

[72MARIO]

I do think they would look sick behind the DC2's on my big truck. Would be neat if it stoped better too. Also interested in any proof there any better than stock.

[Shane]

i've done this conversion and can tell you that "for looks" they are awesome if you have an open style wheel ... for performance, not really worth the time, money and effort. put your money in your front brakes.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Shane

i've done this conversion and can tell you that "for looks" they are awesome if you have an open style wheel ... for performance, not really worth the time, money and effort. put your money in your front brakes.

Shane are you referring to a rear disc conversion, or the D52 upgrade? I agree that money spent on front brakes and quality rear drums is a good choice, just trying to clarify your response.

I have found that it really depends on the current brakes you are running. I have done a few rear discs conversions. Some made a HUGE difference, others not so much. The one that made the most difference was done using Cryo treated drilled and slotted rotors along with performance pads.

The least difference was noted when I converted using small rear discs in place of large drum disc. I could tell the difference, but I wouldn't say it was "worth" the money spent. I still liked the way it looked through my open style wheels.

[Shane]

doesn't matter in my experience ... the front-to-rear weight ratio in these trucks (67-72) is such that you will almost always see a better return on investment upgrading the front versus simply adding discs to the rear.

[andrewmp6]

Don't forget the price of rear rotors and pads vs drums that last a life time.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by andrewmp6

Don't forget the price of rear rotors and pads vs drums that last a life time.

Replacement parts for service life should be a wash. Buy quality rotors when doing a swap & you'll have similar service life like the drums since the rears aren't worked as hard as the fronts.

I replaced the rears on my T/A just to have better rotors vs. the OE pieces. They could have simply been turned as their was enough material to do so.

[rotgg]

no

[COBALT]

I don't know - after rebuilding the rear brakes on my '69 3/4 ton C20 TWICE (keeping in mind that it's an HO52 corp 10 bolt axle) I would snap up a disk brake conversion in a second - even if it wasn't "necessary". The cost in maintaining these old giant drums is just too much of a pain.

Also take this into consideration. Without reliable rear brakes to carry some of the load the fronts can take an enormous amount of stress. I think doing a disk conversion on the back would be good to do just for the peace of mind knowing that reliable brakes are back there and not necessarily whether or not they technically make a big difference from the stock brakes.

[70chevyolbetty]

Just make the calipers bracket and get all the parts. The kits are mainly charging for the bracket . Anyone got a template for sale?
Posted via Mobile Device

[stich626]

rear disc , on an old truck are, most times added to say they have them.
if you tow, and have an adjustable proportioning valve to make use of the extra stopping power.. then yes.. they may have a place.. but most these trucks are not towing that big a load to need the extra brake . as most of what they will be towing should have trailer brakes..
rotors don't last as long as drums,, simple fact..
if you have to have the "look" then disc all around is for you..
only up side is the disc are less likely to lock up if the brake bias is set correctly, in an all out panic stop.. if there is some weight over the rear .. not likely in a 1/2 most of the time..
only reason disc are on the rear of newer trucks is. because of fools that buy trucks or any vehicle for that matter.. buy the spec sheet that motor treand or cons.reports
list.. if one has it, they all have it.. as that 4 foot braking difference.. would be all motor trend/etc would talk about..
a stock brake system in good shape will stop as quick as one with added rear disc..

now if you're gonna add 14" platters up front and 13"s in back with huge sticky rubber and set up the whole vehicle to be able to USE the braking power.. then yes it'll be better..
it's your money.. if you do add them get a good(not the cheap ones) adjustable proportioning valve, as the rear braking unloaded and loaded will need to be totally different, to see the advantage of the rear disc.. remember newer 4 wheel disc trucks already have this.. it's called ABS
good luck

[99-LS1-SS]

For now, I'm not going to get rear disc brakes. I don't plan on hauling anything with this vehicle larger than a boat or a Seadoo. Thanks for the input.

[Shane]

Good choice.

Also, be very careful of the advice you get online. 95% of the time it is blatantly wrong.

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Shane

Good choice.

Also, be very careful of the advice you get online. 95% of the time it is blatantly wrong.

Opinions are probably closer to 98%, but I wouldn't say 95% for advice.

[TheWhiteElephant]

Originally Posted by Shane

Good choice.

Also, be very careful of the advice you get online. 95% of the time it is blatantly wrong.

VERY well said.