Is there a disc brake conversion for my Dana 80? I have looked around and found a guy that did an axle swap to get rear disc's. Is that the only way?

Thanks,

Clark

 

They are out there if you look. Not sure of the rules for mentioning vendors, so I will suggest searching for it on your favorite search engine. In the mean time, have you looked at the 1 ton wheel cylinders? They are off a Chevy that used the same axle and bolt in. I believe they work on the 80 and are available at parts stores for about 20 dollars total.

 

I did a disc brake conversion on my '95 2500, with Dana 70 by getting a 2001.5 rear end and installing it. I love it. Braking is MUCH easier now.

I bought my Dana 70 Disc over the Internet from an ebay seller that I'd bought a few small items from before I got the rear-end. His ebay name is Redlinear. He parts out Dodge/Cummins trucks all the time. He has a lot of parts on ebay right now. He seemed honest in his dealings with me.

 

Any problems with proportioning valve, master cylinder etc. ?

 

I do notice a softer pedal than normal, but otherwise I haven't seen any problems. It takes a lot less pedal pressure to stop the truck now. I haven't locked up the brakes, but I've only had one or two hard emergency stops since I made the switch, and each time the ABS kicked in preventing rear wheel lockup.

 

I have though about doing this but decided not to. 70-80% of your braking is done with the front brakes and you already have discs up there, the rear drums are notorious for not self-adjusting so I keep them adjusted by hand, I also did the GM wheel cylinder upgrade. So now I am happy with the way it brakes and have saved bundle of money to do other things. I just completed a junk yard manual lock-out free spin mod with some of what the newer rear end would have cost.

Floyd

 

I did that GM wheel cylinder upgrade too, braking is much better in the summer months but on snowy roads watch out!

the rears will lock up fast on icy roads so I tend to throw it on 4x4 just so the back tires won't lock up so fast, but it sends a shock load thru my drive train when I do that - but at least im still on the highway.

with any kind of load in the bed then its not a problem, just empty on slick roads.