Update: The answer is NO, this doesn't work. The caliper bracket mounting points are closer on the 2nd gen than the 3rd, so if you put the larger 3rd gen rotor on with either a 2nd or 3rd gen caliper, the caliper hits the rotor.

I saw that the cummins folks seem to really like upgrading their front brakes to the 3rd gen brakes, but I haven't seen anyone with a 1500 do the same thing. A search of rockauto shows the brake rotors to be 1 inch larger in diameter (13" vs 12"), with the hub bore and bolt pattern being the same. The calipers also look to be extremely similar, though they did change the bleeder and hydraulic hose over to metric. I think banjo fittings are standard, so you could stick with 2nd gen hoses I'd think. Cardone sells reman calipers with brackets for super cheap, and again, the brackets look similar...I just can't tell by the photos if they would bolt up to the caliper mounting location on the D44 front axle.

Has anyone done this and can confirm whether or not the brackets work? I am going to need to do calipers, brackets, rotors, pads, and maybe hoses here soon anyway due to rust, age, and wear...and the 3rd gen stuff is the same price, so if it fits I'll do that.

 

I have a '96 2500 4x4 with D60 front. Wonder if that would work for me for the next major brake work down the road? I did swap the D60 drum rear with a D60 disc brake rear from a 2000-2001 and had no issues. Used the same master cylinder. Just had to use a '96 style ABS rear sensor above the tone ring so I didn't have to change the ABS plug-in connector.

 

Everything from the 2500 and 1500 is the same if I recall. I know the only difference between a 3rd gen and 2nd gen is the studs are thicker on the 3rd gen
Just the rear would work but they may be the same

 

Caliper brackets look quite a bit different between a 2001 1500 and a 2001 2500 diesel. Not to mention 2500s are 8 lug.

Obviously the 2500 brake parts are interchangeable between a 2nd gen (at least a late one) and a 3rd gen. I'm just not sure that the same is true for the half tons.

 

The caliper brackets have the same bolt pattern so it should work.

 

Guess the question really is just whether the caliper bracket spaces the caliper appropriately in terms of height and depth (rotor hat is a little shorter on 3rd gens). I might have to pick up some parts and give it a try.

 

You'll need 17" wheels at least to clear the 3rd gen brakes. The standard wheel size went from 16 to 17 in 02.

 

I would try them and return them if not needed. I plan on doing it and I'm confident they will work.

 

No problemo, I have an ORE so I have the factory 17s.

That is probably what I'll do. The only trouble is I like to buy my brake parts from Rockauto so I can get the specific brands I want at the right price, and if it doesn't fit I'll be paying shipping cost both ways, which would suck.

 

Thanks for the thought about the wheel size needing to be of a larger diameter to clear the brakes. That's definitely something to keep an eye on.