vehicle- 93 Dodge Dakota V6 auto 4x4


I was wondering if anyone here converted there rear brake drums to disc brakes? I live in area with lots of steeps hills and I'm looking improve my stopping power especially when I'm towing.

So is there a conversion kit for 1st and 2nd generation Dakotas?

Is it hard to convert brakes?

Thanks

 

Here is one. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SSB-A157/

It is worth it. I believe you do have to weld on the mounting bracket. I didn't read the page for the details.

If I remember right 95 318SLT is doing on conversion on his NEW rear axle.

 

Wow 850.00 dollars for that kit I was hoping the kit would cost 3 to 400 dollars. Is there a inexpensive way to install rear disc brakes like swap a axle at the junk yard or something?

I know the Jeep Cherokee has rear discs brakes

 

Find an 8.25 axle with rear discs and it SHOULD be a bolt on deal, for the most part. Look at jeep products to begin with.

 

There is one big thing that nobody has mentioned. You will have to get a new master cylinder and proportioning valve and you'll have to loose the factory combination valve. The factory master cylinder and combination valve are both set up to handle drum brakes, which are a completely different animal than disc brakes. If you don't, you'll be going through brake pads every couple months.

But yes, there is a cheaper way to do it... study the picture of that kit, and go get rotors and calipers from the store and make your own mounting brackets. Be sure to use AT LEAST 3/8 inch steel plate... don't think that 1/4 inch will do the job!

 

I've heard that for towing you actually want to keep the drum setup in the rear as they don't fade. (semi's still use drums) I want to go to 11 inch drums from a gen 2 dakota, probably very cheap swap from a junkyard. Jeep stuff may be tough because I think they are 5 lug (or at least my Grand Cherokee was).

 

When towing you want strong brakes. Larger does help. Truly the rear disks will be best. Whenever I tow far places, I use my Dads 04 Z71 (Due to better MPG then my truck when towing). That has rear brakes and it stops 10 times better when towing! I have a 24ft long travel trailer. That sucker is heavy!