YACT: 88 GMC 3/4 ton van => Disc brake conversion?

[EyeMWing]

Fvcking drum parts are mad money. I'm almost CERTAIN that GM had some disc models available at the end of lifespan for that chassis. How much of a b!tch would it be to convert? Whole new axle is out of the question, so don't ask.

 

[MikeMike]

get a new car?

or are you still making payments on the trailer your parents own.

MIKE

 

[iamwiz82]

Is that a 12 bolt or 14 bolt? Either way, I'm SURE there are conversions. Lots of Jeep guys swap those in.

 

[EyeMWing]

Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
get a new car?

or are you still making payments on the trailer your parents own.

MIKE

... And why, exactly, would I buy a new *VAN* ($60k to replace with one equipped equally) to replace one that runs fine, and even has decent paint (well, it's missing a little clear on the roof) and just needs brake work? The damn PAYMENT on a vehicle like that would be more than a full service brake job.

 

[Pepsi90919]

Originally posted by: EyeMWing

Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
get a new car?

or are you still making payments on the trailer your parents own.

MIKE

... And why, exactly, would I buy a new *VAN* ($60k to replace with one equipped equally) to replace one that runs fine, and even has decent paint (well, it's missing a little clear on the roof) and just needs brake work? The damn PAYMENT on a vehicle like that would be more than a full service brake job.

because it's an 88 GMC 3/4 ton van?

 

[Colt45]

how fvcking expensive can drums for a chevy be?

 

[EyeMWing]

Originally posted by: Pepsi90919

Originally posted by: EyeMWing

Originally posted by: nourdmrolNMT1
get a new car?

or are you still making payments on the trailer your parents own.

MIKE

... And why, exactly, would I buy a new *VAN* ($60k to replace with one equipped equally) to replace one that runs fine, and even has decent paint (well, it's missing a little clear on the roof) and just needs brake work? The damn PAYMENT on a vehicle like that would be more than a full service brake job.

because it's an 88 GMC 3/4 ton van?

Don't have that much disposable income. It works. We don't get rid of vehicles until they outright stop being useful, unlike most Americans. And unlike most people, we have REASON to own a van like that.

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Is that a 12 bolt or 14 bolt? Either way, I'm SURE there are conversions. Lots of Jeep guys swap those in.

Which bolts am I counting? 😛
Any further down the drivetrain than the trans, I'm pretty well lost as to terminology unless it requires regular maintenance.

 

[EyeMWing]

Originally posted by: Colt45
how fvcking expensive can drums for a chevy be?

$300 for 2. Plus the rest of the brake hardware (if you're pullin' it all apart and it's this old, may as well change it all before it goes bad)

 

[iamwiz82]

Count the number of bolts holding the differential cover on.

12 bolt

14 bolt

 

[CycloWizard]

I've never done anything quite like this, but I've changed a lot of brakes... 😛

I would imagine you need to find a rotor and caliper pair for the wheel size of the van that also fits the existing wheel bearings. I'm guessing that, unless you replace the brakes fairly often, this would be more expensive than the brake parts.

 

[EyeMWing]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Count the number of bolts holding the differential cover on.

12 bolt

14 bolt

12.

 

[arcenite]

I didn't know chevy made a 14 bolt rear, cool.

 

[iamwiz82]

A 12-bolt is common. Any one of a thousand muscle cars came with them. I'd suggest going to a junkyard, finding a vehicle with a 12-bolt and discs.

http://www.chevytrucks.org/tech/rear_ends.htm

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: arcenite
I didn't know chevy made a 14 bolt rear, cool.

It's a beast

 

[Ornery]

WTF, Advance Auto parts has those for less than $40.00 each!

 

[Iron Woode]

Originally posted by: EyeMWing

Originally posted by: Colt45
how fvcking expensive can drums for a chevy be?

$300 for 2. Plus the rest of the brake hardware (if you're pullin' it all apart and it's this old, may as well change it all before it goes bad)

That's not much different than my car's rear drum brakes.

Drums for my 1979 Lebaron (same as volare', aspen, diplomat, etc) are $135 each. That's $270 for 2. Millions of drums were made for these cars and they went from $45 each 10 years ago to $135 each now.

Just keep the drums and maintain them. Even if discs are available, why bother? The cost of retrofitting, with something more likely than not, to be a limited or expensive part is not saving money or making your van stop any better.

Drums rule for rear brakes. Dependable and as simple as an anvil.

 

[EyeMWing]

Originally posted by: Ornery
WTF, Advance Auto parts has those for less than $40.00 each!

LOFL. Such is the world of car parts, they'll cut you a deal on some parts, and then when you're not looking, rape you out the ear with others.

 

[Ornery]

What other parts you need? You said two rear drums, and there they are!

 

[EyeMWing]

Originally posted by: Ornery
What other parts you need? You said two rear drums, and there they are!

A top right headlight would be nice 😛

Nah, I got it covered from here. Thanks guys.