D80 drum brake to disk conversion??

dieseltracks

dieseltracks

lost
Joined
Nov 11, 2007
Messages
710
I used the search feature but didn't really find an answer to my question....

I have a SRW 02 with a D70 with disk brakes.
I have a chance to buy a SRW D80 out of a 95 with drum brakes.

Can I convert the D80 over to disc brakes??
I don't have the money to buy an aftermarket conversion kit...or is this my only option? From what I've seen, the conv. kits don't utilize a parking brake either...would kinda like to keep that option if I can.
I was wondering if I could just use the disc brake parts from a newer D80 with disk brakes and bolt them to the older D80?
Is the bolt pattern the same going from the disc brake backing plates to the older D80 with the drum brakes?

Will it work OK if I just install the D80 into my truck and use the drum brakes?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
no it wont bolt on. the disc stuff from a 70 wont even bolt on to a drum 70. I think it was LA Miller who tried this, theres a thread about it.
 
Yes you can just bolt up the 80 in place of your 70. With the exception your driveshaft will have to be shortened and make sure you get the mounting plates with the 80 since the axle tubes are bigger.

I mounted a d80 drum in place of my d70 disc when I broke the pinion. Only thing I did have to do is wire up the speed sensor from the 80 since they where different. But the wire colors are the same so it was easy.

And like said above, no you can't use the disc's off the 70. if you compare the two side by side you'll see why...
 
Rollin Coal said:
no it wont bolt on. the disc stuff from a 70 wont even bolt on to a drum 70. I think it was LA Miller who tried this, theres a thread about it.
Click to expand...
I read that thread.
I knew the D70 stuff wouldn't swap out....wasn't sure if it was the same for the D80 stuff too.

I seen where AsTROSS was/is converting a D80 over, but he was making his own adapter plates. Unfortunately I don't have that luxury.
 
Rattlin_Ram said:
Yes you can just bolt up the 80 in place of your 70. With the exception your driveshaft will have to be shortened and make sure you get the mounting plates with the 80 since the axle tubes are bigger.

I mounted a d80 drum in place of my d70 disc when I broke the pinion. Only thing I did have to do is wire up the speed sensor from the 80 since they where different. But the wire colors are the same so it was easy.

And like said above, no you can't use the disc's off the 70. if you compare the two side by side you'll see why...
Click to expand...
Ahhh...that's good news!
I read one of your posts earlier about re-wiring a speed sensor but didn't realize that's what you were doing it on.
I know about the driveshaft and the mounting plates...just wasn't sure about the brakes.
Did you notice any change in braking quality going from disk to drum??

I knew that I couldn't use my D70 brake parts to convert....was just wondering if D80 disks could be used on a D80 drum brake axle. Sounds like it's the same scenario as trying to switch the D70 parts around.
 
im not sure about the 80 discs. if you run the chevy adapters you can use el dorado calipers, they have a parking brake.
 
I actually like the way it stops better with the drums than the disc brakes... Just not really lookin forward to changing the shoes when they wear out... I hate changing drum brake shoes... I always pinch a finger or screw up a spring... or forget exactly how everything goes... etc...

oh forgot the e-brake is different too, but mine isn't hooked up right now since I rarely ever used it anyway...
 
Rollin Coal said:
im not sure about the 80 discs. if you run the chevy adapters you can use el dorado calipers, they have a parking brake.
Click to expand...
I read that earlier....also read that there were some question on whether or not the mechanism (eldorado) was superior enough to work properly.

I actually like the way it stops better with the drums than the disc brakes... Just not really lookin forward to changing the shoes when they wear out... I hate changing drum brake shoes... I always pinch a finger or screw up a spring... or forget exactly how everything goes... etc...

oh forgot the e-brake is different too, but mine isn't hooked up right now since I rarely ever used it anyway...
Click to expand...
Agreed....I HATE changing brake shoes.
I don't use my e-brake very often since mine is an auto, but it does come in handy from time to time.
I'll figure out sumthin on that if I need to.
 
I think you need different perches and top plates as the diameter of the 70 and 80 are different.
 
zstroken said:
I think you need different perches and top plates as the diameter of the 70 and 80 are different.
Click to expand...
Yep...I knew about all the other stuff....just wasn't sure about the brakes.
I think I'll just swap it into my truck with the drum brakes and see how it works.

I should have all the parts I need for the swap.
I've got a chance to buy a 94 3/4 ton SRW 5sp truck with 259k on it.
Truck has been hit in the front....needs new bumper, AC condenser and few other misc. parts. It's from Alabama so the rest of the truck is in excellent conditon bodywise and still runs good.
The guy wants $1k for it....I hate to pass that up. :rockwoot:

I wanna put the D80 in my truck and put my D70 back in that truck to use as a daily driver....which will prolly involve alot more questions later on. :hehe:
 
Don't mean to highjack here but I have a drw 80 under my truck that i put a srw bed on and the rear wheels stick out about an inch and a half more than the front. Is there anyway i can convert the drw 80 to a srw? (axle shaft and hubs)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top