For what it's worth, it's pretty clear to me that with how the braking systems are set up on these trucks, you're going to fade front brakes really bad, far before even the puny 9 inch drums start to heat up much. I tested this when I went to 10" drums on my Dakota. I thoroughly tested the brakes, then took a IR gun to them. Front rotor temps were 350 F+, rear drums were around 120-130 F. And that was after many, many consecutive panic stops (in addition to a few hills worth of sustained braking) with little time in between. Now this is only my truck, but my experience suggests that by the time the drums start to reach fade point, the front brakes are going to be long gone.


I see your point here, can't really argue it.

 

agreed about the first point you made. And to me, that's all the more reason to get the disc rear end. While I know brake bias is less in the rear, disc brakes function better then drums, and dissipate heat better when size is equal. Now, when you talk about a 2" difference circumference, the braking adva9 is well multiplied and won't burn out at the same point the drums would.

That all said, id love to find something to do with the front to upgrade them as well. I know I can uograde the calibers some and the pads a good bit, but id much rather have bigger rotors as well better calibers and pads.

 

Good point and yeah I've thought about a front brake upgrade too. Wish I could do something about the puny ears on the knuckles for the caliper mounting bolts. The threads are tiny enough but the thickness of the ears makes me nervous, not sure if that's rational but they sure look lacking compared to any other knuckle I've seen. If I had lots of money I'd consider getting that **** reinforced professionally.

 

if I had the $$$, solid axle swap professionally done lol. But off a smaller vehicle like an xj or Toyota. Woudlnt want the huge lift usually associated with a sas

 

Exactly. This is my first truck. It has a V6. It isn't fast. Drums are fine. I don't need to increase the braking capabilities of this truck, and if I did, I would be improving the front brakes (which I am, new rotors, new pads, etc).

I don't want to deal with the hassle of fabbing/modifying things to use disc brakes that will provide me with no additional benefit that I need. I also want to retain the factory 15" wheels.

So if I went to disc, I would need to spend way more time fabricating and I would need to buy new wheels.

I have a 77 porsche that needs the engine/trans pulled and rebuilt, a currently non running 95 S6 Avant with a blown headgasket that I'm hording parts to build into a 400hp super wagon, maintaining my GFs beetle, building up two separate garages, maintain a house, and still have time for all my actual outdoor hobbies. Having discs on the rear of this truck does literally nothing for me.

 

Thanks! I have been checking these out as well. I'm guessing installation at a shop would cost another $400ish. I'm going to call around and see if anyone has leads on an entirely new axle with an LSD already installed, I think that would be even cheaper.

 

Where are you located, generally?

 

North of Milwaukee about 30 minutes.

 

https://rockford.craigslist.org/pts/...181842988.html

https://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/p...223241241.html - lists POSI rear end

https://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/p...219358142.html - See if he'll sell you the replacement rear end if its POSI

Not sure of the fit, the rear end guys will know.

 

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