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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 592
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8 lug brake upgrade options?
Im looking at options to upgrade the brake system on my 8 lug C20. Ive seen all sorts of kits to upgrade the 5 lug, but is there anything for the 8 lug? Id like to get the biggest brakes I can fit under the 16 inch front wheels while converting the rears to discs. The factory brakes arent bad, but as a daily driver, Id like something that stops a bit better and has a better pedal feel. Right now, I really have to stand on the pedal to pull the thing down from speed, and it requires a full boot to keep it from creeping forward at a stop light.
Any input is much appreciated! |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: The West
Posts: 767
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Re: 8 lug brake upgrade options?
One option....
http://www.performanceonline.com/196...-DELUXE-16682/ |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Davisburg, MI
Posts: 18
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Re: 8 lug brake upgrade options?
are you disc or drums currently?
if you have trouble at stoplights could be your vacum booster? the 3/4-1 tons up till 91 or so had 12.6" rotors and would fit in 16" wheels. I looked but can't find the old article, about tricks the old roundy-round guys would do to upgrade brakes. they would mill the rotor off and keep the bearing and wheel mounting surface then put the separated "hat" brakes and go to bigger rotors. and run fixed multi piston calipers. take time and some fabrication skills my 71' has fantastic pedal feel to it, its was actually better than the stock pedal on my 2002.
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When in Doubt ........ Mash the Throttle 69' Camaro SS LT1 - 6speed 71' C/20 Custom Deluxe Burban 402/400 now 454 72' C10 base burb 350/3on the tree 79' VW Scirroco Road Race Car 02' Suburban Supercharged 5.3 on 22's |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 592
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Re: 8 lug brake upgrade options?
mine has discs front and drums rear. The above listed kit looks like its only good through the '70 trucks....mine is a 72...was there a difference between the years?
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 592
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Re: 8 lug brake upgrade options?
While I havent gotten much feedback, I have done some additional digging....turns out Wilwood makes a nice set of 4 piston calipers that will fit under the factory 16 inch wheels along with pads and stainless braided lines. In addition, Raybestos makes a set of drilled and vented rotors that work with the factory wheels. That being said, Im still looking for a conversion to swap the rear drums from discs. Any help would be greatly appreciated as it looks like its slim pickings for the 8 lug set up.
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Edwards, CA
Posts: 7,504
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Re: 8 lug brake upgrade options?
What kind of condition is your current braking system in? From your earlier statement it sounds like it needs help. You should be able to sit at a stop light with only moderate pressure. Are you rear shoes adjusted properly? Do you have good, clean, brake pads and shoes, not some "lifetime" product? Is your booster in good condition? Is it getting enough vacuum? Seems like a lot of people want to change brakes out for a perceived problem that can probably be traced to poor parts choices or maintenance.
Before I'd spend the money to modify a brake system I would want to baseline the stock brakes with quality premium parts. Disc brakes became standard in 71. It looks like that inked front kit is for adding discs to an earlier truck bringing it to the 71-72 standard. There are a couple of rear disc kits and adapters out there for the GM 14 bolt axle that can be used/adapted to a HO52. They use 3/4 ton 4x4 rotor and car calipers if you want a mechanical park brake. Since these are pretty much a poor choice in a car for a park brake I cannot recommend their use in a truck or suburban. But something not even addressed is if you have a HO52 or a Dana 5500 (aka60) rear axle. Any disc brake kit would be very different between the two.
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Thanks, Tim * VIN/Model Decoders * Power Team Charts (engine/transmission/gear ratio) * Post Your Pickup SPID ** Blazer SPID ** Suburban/Panel SPID * RTFM ... Read The Factory Manuals... download 'em here Highlanders ** Do you have a 1972 Plaid Pickup? ** Plaid Blazer ** Plaid Suburban |
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#7 | |
Running on empty
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Roanoke, Virginia
Posts: 1,033
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Re: 8 lug brake upgrade options?
Quote:
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_____________________________________________ Tim We have two rules here at the Rock. Rule #1: No writing on the walls. Rule#2: Obey all rules 70 GMC Sierra Grande "Custom Camper" Longhorn 402 Big Block TH400 PS PB factory AC Posi; 94 Bronco XLT 302, auto;worn out daily driver ![]() |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Klein Texas
Posts: 3,852
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Re: 8 lug brake upgrade options?
I think I would start with a hydroboost conversion making sure my base brakes were in great shape.
Your description doesn't sound like they are working correctly.
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My Classics: '72 K20 Suburban + '65 Dodge Town Wagon '72 Corvette Roadster +'67 Corvette Roadster '73 Z-28 Camaro '63 Ford SWB Uni Pickup '50 Ford Coupe |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 592
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Re: 8 lug brake upgrade options?
yea, Im going to tear things apart this weekend and at a minimum, bleed the system with my power bleeder and then see how it works before I start throwing parts at it.
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Eliot, Maine
Posts: 1,314
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Re: 8 lug brake upgrade options?
you must have brake problems.
i only use newer factory tech on my vehicles. some of those hodge podge adaptions sound kinda iffy to me. and when you have an expensive aftermarket setup, you can't just get replacement parts at the local auto parts store. the stock brakes in my 72 Burb C20 work awesome. only upgrades are braided brake hoses, synthetic dot 4 fluid and better pads on the front. i went with the carbon-ceramic rv / fleet vehicle spec units (about $75 via summit racing) and they bite like nobody's business. only thing my truck needs is to replace the proportioning valve due to locking up the rear drums during panic stops. once that is fixed, she'll be just as good for towing as a new truck....as far as stopping is concerned. |
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#11 |
Coordinator of Synchronicity
![]() Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: West of Houston, TX
Posts: 437
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Re: 8 lug brake upgrade options?
Looking for something like this ...?
As 68TT described above ...I run a 8 lug 14 bolt Full Floating Corp Rearend, running 3.73 gears with a Posi unit sporting a Mag Tek HD Rear Cover and CCP Rear Track bar ... rear originally out of a 1986 3/4 ton w/ leafs Add 76-78 Eldorado D52 rear calipers for the parking brake with a 1-1/4" thick front rotors from 3/4-ton K20 4 x 4 and a set of custom brackets I found online ... Stops better than my 2001 burban
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Rick 1971 Suburban ... W.I.P. Build Thread Customization is ones personal touch-- not what other people think it should be Last edited by Burb; 05-31-2013 at 01:16 PM. Reason: pic |
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