Thanks Cam, I went out to my rig, and finally looked around, and I got it....Thanks for all the great information!
in depth rear disc brake conversion
- Thread starter camcruiser13
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
inkpot
SILVER Star
Howdy! Finally getting around to doing this on my Piggy. Two questions. I picked up my brackets years ago, don't remember from who/where. How thick is the spacer between the axle flange and the bracket? On your page one parts list you list Banjo Bolts, but I don't see them being used anywhere. Did I miss something? Otherwise, great write up. I have it bookmarked so I can come right back to all your nice pix for the write up. Thanks, John
- Thread starter
- #83
the little moon shaped spacers, are around 1/8 inch thick,
also the banjo bolts are holding the brake lines to the calipers, i took a pic
the brass bolt right in the middle
thanks and hope this helps
also the banjo bolts are holding the brake lines to the calipers, i took a pic
the brass bolt right in the middle
thanks and hope this helps
- Thread starter
- #84
i took the rig out on the snow and ice this past week and dialed in the proportioning valve, it is barely open. i am so amazed and stunned i went this long without them.
well worth it
well worth it
You'll be even happier when you hit the rocks! 
I've come down some narly hills... It was so, so much nicer not having the wheels locking up constantly. And being able to stop after water crossings
I started with 4 wheel drums... Came down a few hills with wet brakes, or should I say no brakes
not fun on 100%+ grade.
I've come down some narly hills... It was so, so much nicer not having the wheels locking up constantly. And being able to stop after water crossings
I started with 4 wheel drums... Came down a few hills with wet brakes, or should I say no brakes
not fun on 100%+ grade.wow very impressed..i like it ...How about front ? any idea?...BTW those listed parts are the only parts needed in conversion?..Thanks
- Thread starter
- #88
Perfect thanks for the part numbers. This thread hopefully helps alot of people
- Thread starter
- #89
The front has stock discs. Got lucky and got the 76 fj. Yes hose are the parts needed. You may need some small parts or tools other than listed just because every rig is different and one way might not be the best way for all
So, I'm doing my RDBs right now. Have been for a couple days. Followed this thread closely, even used the same paint colors. But, I didn't like the calipers down low behind the axle. I just KNOW I'm gonna hit a rock or a stick and break that brakeline. I wanted to do it like Poser (don't we all?). Put the calipers on the leading edge, and up a little higher. I couldn't do it like Poser. I even see a pic in his RDB thread where he did it. I couldn't make mine do that. I took a closer look. There is a little ridge, or bump, cast in my Monte Carlo caliper that gets in the way of the bracket. Poser's pic shows it ground down a little. So I did that. Yup, now it fits where I wanted it.
Pics of the offending bump...before & after.
Pics of the offending bump...before & after.
Pighead, I had to do the same thing.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/281587-riggers-disc-brake-conversion-9.html
See post #166.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/281587-riggers-disc-brake-conversion-9.html
See post #166.
Well it was odd to me that I had to grind on them calipers. I had never heard of anyone else having to do it. I thought maybe I was doing something wrong. When I saw that you had to do it, too, I felt better!
You may also find that the hose faces the axle so some more grinding around the area that the banjo bolt and hose attach may be necessary. I opened it up so the hose would face inward towards the spring. Once you get it on you'll see if it's necessary.
Another thing to watch out for: when I was attaching the banjo bolt / hose and servicing with fluid, the fittings were leaking badly even with new crush washers. The hose was tight enough that it wouldn't turn but it kept dripping. I even overtightened the banjo bolt and stripped out the threads in the caliper!
The solution was to look in the hole where the banjo bolt goes. The piston was bottomed in the caliper preventing the hose fitting / bolt / crush washer from seating. I took a small flat tip screw driver and pushed the piston out an 1/8th of an inch. Problem solved.
Another thing to watch out for: when I was attaching the banjo bolt / hose and servicing with fluid, the fittings were leaking badly even with new crush washers. The hose was tight enough that it wouldn't turn but it kept dripping. I even overtightened the banjo bolt and stripped out the threads in the caliper!
The solution was to look in the hole where the banjo bolt goes. The piston was bottomed in the caliper preventing the hose fitting / bolt / crush washer from seating. I took a small flat tip screw driver and pushed the piston out an 1/8th of an inch. Problem solved.
Last edited:
And now that I know what I'm looking for, I see that little bump being ground down in a lot of threads. What was it that we always tell the noobs? Search?
- Thread starter
- #97
Did you try flipping the brackets. I know they hit if they are not right side up. Grinding them isn't gonna have any side effects. Looks good. I like the paint color wink wink. I'm glad this thread helped out
There's a Cadillac caliper that has the e-brake, I'll try to kind the part #.
Here's a thread on this:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/433962-disc-brakes-rear-60-62s.html
https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/433962-disc-brakes-rear-60-62s.html
Ha! Yeah, I guess I should have searched.
I was thinking that maybe some of those calipers have that nub and some of them don't. 
The thing about this whole brakes conversion project that amazed me was this: No matter how much thread reading I did, there was no substitute for the experience. Maybe this seems so obvious that it is hardly worth mentioning, but experience is a good teacher. Once I was in that thing up to my elbows, I could see clearly how things worked. It is satisfying now to read threads about this and really understand the discussion.
