I was talking to my dad today, and we got into a conversation, if i was going to convert to rear disk from drum why not just get a new axle and increase performance also.

What is the stockaxle on a 2000dakota R/T i thought it was 375 Im probably wrong..

What i want to do, if possible, is find a axle that takes less turns to increase high end speed and better mpg and lower rpms, andthat will allow me to use disks/slotted rotors.

Is this possible? Will going with a smaller axle really make a diffrence. I know it will mess up my guages but im not really worried about that it can be fixed.... also will it do anything to my low end torque?

 

well with the smaller rear, its just a smaller ring gear, i beleive there should be something out their for you, with the drum to disk swap, i think its possible with the current axle, but your better off finding a different axle with all the brake hardware, dont quote me on this since im not that to sure about it, plus im not sure it its true but i hear you have to replace your master cylinder, i dont believe you do but then again, dont quote me, just giving you an idea

 

About the disc brake conv. I have been looking at the kit from stainless steel brake corp. they seem to have the only one out there that I've found.

 

http://www.ssbrakes.com/

 

the trick is to find a rear axle from a dodge that has disk brakes already and just swap it all as a whole. im not that familiar with the dodge line but when i had a ranger the plan was to replace the rear axle with one from a more expensive vehicle with better options. in my case the ford explorer was based on the same chassis but was available with disk brakes. im guessing you could probably find a durango or something with available disk brakes and swap in that axle with little or no modification.

 

Both my 03 SXT and my 04 SLT have rear disc and seem to have a smoother stop than drum and less likely to lock durning hard stops with the ABS, I have also read that is makes for better breaking on turns to keep from loosing control by having the rear tires lock up, I would think if you installed drilled and slotted rotors on the front and rear you would really have a good breaking package.

 

my rear drums are pissin me off. They are constantly squeeking and I already had them adjusted and refinished twice. I actually wanted to know if the switch to discs were possible.

 

your best bet would be to find a complete rear axle from a dak/durango that already has disk brakes on it.

I think most r/t's came with 3.93 gears. if you went with a 3.55 it would give you more top end, but you will lose a lil bit of bottom end.

or you can keep your rearend you have now and convert it to disc brakes and then put a locker in it with 3.55 gears.

I think you also have to get a bigger master cylindar since the calipers need more fluid then the wheel cylindars.

 

Bingo - grab the rear axle off a dak/durango (make sure it's a 9 1/4 though) with discs and also grab the master cyl/booster. You may need the proportioning valve as well, if it's external. I don't know much about the brake systems in these things, so I'm not sure if it is or not. I do know that I hate ABS though.

Slotted rotors are fine, but drilled rotors aren't worthwhile. They may be an upgrade, material-wise, over OEM, but they're more prone to cracking and failure and they don't perform any better on a street vehicle.

 

over 1k to convert and get slots on rear and front. Woot! I think ill go down to the junkyard and see if i can find a new axle... hell with over 1k i can get my new suspension or even a body kit... I was thinking it would be about 600 or so, but o well, looks like i got some saving to do, but i have to admit those slotted rotors and with a red powder coat those brakes would be killer... i love dreaming.