The 00.5+ 1500s went to disc brakes in the rear as well. You'd probably want to swap the whole axle though...not just the brakes. You could swap a DANA 60 from a 3/4 ton into your truck. That would be a good axle upgrade. The Dana 60 is a very strong axle, and has a large aftermarket of axle component upgrades as well as differential upgrades. A heck of a lot more than the corporate axles have.

 

I was thinking about swaping in a D60 on mine too. is there any way to keep the 5 lug though? I already bought new wheels and tires for mine and i mounted them so I cant return them. I know come guy has a kit but is there any other way.

 

Swapping in a D-60 is a not option for my truck. I don't need, nor want, 3/4 or 1 ton axles in it. This is a street truck, so all it needs are the 1/2 ton units. Besides, if you swap the rear, you'll need to swap front axle too to keep the same lug pattern all around, and then you need to buy new rims...you're talking about a lot more money and time invested than in just going for the brake kit.

 

For converting the lug pattern, I know there are kits out there to convert them. They're not cheap though. There has to be some other way to do it. I've never experimented with it much though. The only axle swap I've ever done was on my Ramcharger, and I went with 60's in the front and back. My thinking was go big, or don't go at all.

I was also looking through the parts book today, and I noticed that there isn't a seaperate drum hub listed for the 1500. I thought that was kind of odd. I'm not sure if that's a mistake or what. [>:] The only thing that's listed differently is the drum itself and the backing plate. I wonder if that's all you would need to swap 3/4 ton drums onto a 1/2 ton truck. That, along with the chevy cylinder upgrade, would be a lot better than a disc upgrade.

I wish I had a 1/2 ton to experiment on. [8D]

 

if you're looking for a specific rear disc conversion SSBC does have a pretty good single piston caliper set up for about $880 i've been wanting to do this for some time now but don't have the cash yet. they are pretty good with setting things up. and all you'd have to do is find the caliper you want to use and sell the ones you don't want. i'm sure someone out there would want them.