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GM 14 bolt disc brakes

kd7kmp

kd7kmp

Registered User
Location
Springville, UT
Hey all,

I've been toying with the idea of doing a disc brake conversion to the 14 bolt in my 'Burb. The one thing that keeps me from doing it is the parking brake. I understand the Caddy calipers are nearly impossible to find now and if you do they are lots of $$$. For those that have done this what have you done to address the need for a parking brake to pass safety inspection?

Kevin
 
Chevycrew

Chevycrew

Well-Known Member
Location
WVC, UT
Use a 2001 and newer 14 bolt with factory dual piston calipers and drum in rotor hat style park brake.

But, this will be a axle swap with new perches needed versus a disc swap. Most will say the caddy calipers are expensive and suck.
 
kd7kmp

kd7kmp

Registered User
Location
Springville, UT
I've thought of the whole newer axle swap thing. But that is too much expense and trouble. I've also thought of a t-case brake or line lock, but my understanding of the vehicle inspection is the parking brake needs to be a mechanical system separate from the hydraulic system but connected at the tires, not the driveline.

Kevin
 
thenag

thenag

Registered User
Location
Kearns
kd7kmp said:
I've thought of the whole newer axle swap thing. But that is too much expense and trouble. I've also thought of a t-case brake or line lock, but my understanding of the vehicle inspection is the parking brake needs to be a mechanical system separate from the hydraulic system but connected at the tires, not the driveline.
Kevin
Click to expand...

I think we decided that it just needed to be a separate system and you could actually do a set of small hydro calipers and a simple master cylinder to a pedal or lever. Of course I don't know that anyone ever actually did this and passed Utah inspection but it seems like it should be fine.

Chevycrew said:
Use a 2001 and newer 14 bolt with factory dual piston calipers and drum in rotor hat style park brake.

But, this will be a axle swap with new perches needed versus a disc swap. Most will say the caddy calipers are expensive and suck.
Click to expand...

I have brand new Caddy calipers from TSM (I think it is TSM) they cost about what you would pay for a newer gm disk brake axle. So unless you have a lot invested in your 14 bolt it could be cheaper to swap in a newer axle.

Having said that why do you want to swap to disks? The 14 bolt came with 2 different size drums, the one I had had the bigger drums. The parking brake was a true emergency brake and could actually stop the 6400lb bronco if needed. (If you want to upgrade to the bigger ones I have a set laying around, I think the shoes are ok too.) I swapped because when putting the axle under the jeep I wanted to use the dually hubs to narrow it, by doing that the brake backing plates won't line the brake components up properly without modifications and it was easier to buy disk brake brackets that took care of the miss-alignment.

Add me to "most" The caddy parking brake kind of sucks(the regular brake works great), think about it this way no manufacture uses a parking brake like that on a heavy vehicle, GM only put it on the Caddy for a few years, if it worked well it would have come on more vehicles...

Nathan
http://www.rme4x4.com/showthread.php?83436-Nathan-and-Tanja-s-99-XJ-Build-up
 
Chevycrew

Chevycrew

Well-Known Member
Location
WVC, UT
$400 axle and a set of perches seems like the way to go. Even if you have a bunch invested all of the guts will swap into the new housing.

I have 1986 gears and locker in my 2004 disc housing.
 
Shawn

Shawn

Just Hanging Out
Location
Holly Day
I bought the TSM calipers and put them on when I needed to have the rig inspected. Came home and swapped them out for the GM ones for the rest of the year. Easy to do, just a waist of money.
 
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