I know that the 1996-2000 Dodge Grand Caravans, Voyagers, and Town and Countries don't come with Rear Disc Brakes (unless the information I have is wrong). I was wondering, since the wheel bolt pattern is the same, if that I could convert my 1996 Dodge Grand Caravan from Drum Brakes to Disc Brakes from a 2001 - 200? Grand Caravan. If nobody knows about this or has done this before I guess I'll start scoping out for parts to do this conversion on my own. Thanx in advance!

 

I don't know but you would probably have to use a rear "axle" off the newer model so the caliper would have a place to bolt to.
The master cylinder would also have to be changed or a different proportioning valve used to keep the brakes working at their best efficiency.

I don't think it would be worth the trouble.

 

Thanx. Well I have a junkyard that has plenty of parts from 1996 - 2004 Dodge Grand Caravans, Voyagers, and T&C's. So It wouldn't be a big deal to get everything from a 2001 or newer GC to do the conversion. Nothin's too much trouble for me especially in the name of Safety. I'm not doin' this in the name of Cosmetics.

My reasoning on wanting this done is I drove a friend of mine's 2002 GC and her's stops way better than mine. Her's has 4 wheel disc brakes and it has a shorter stopping distance than my van. My van's in needing of a complete rebuild (even tho I did a mild one not too long ago) in the brake department.

 

I plan to do this same thing to my 97 GC this summer. All of the 3rd Gen (96-2000) AWD caravans had rear disc brakes. All you need to find is a 3rd gen AWD. Then you need to get the rear backing plates (these also hold the parking brakes) with the calipers and rear hoses, the rear ABS sensors (if you have ABS--they are expensive) rotors, L and R rear e-brake cables, proportioning valve and master cylinder. Everything should bolt onto you 96 and it should fit your rear axle and hubs.

I will be going to the local Pick N Pull in the next few weeks to look for the parts.

These likely will not stop the van much better but will eliminate the rear brake adjustment necessary on these vans and keep the pedal high. I added crossdrilled/slotted rotors and carbon/kevlar pads and it helped alot but I still don't think they are good enough. I also want to find some larger rotors (12" dia) and make mounts to use Wilwood 4 pot calipers.