Caliper Differences

[aotte1]

What are the front caliper differences between those for cars vs trucks, if they both use the same brake pad, pin spacing is the same? The piston diameter is same too. All bolt sizes same.

Inlet brake line location, bleeder, what else?

Thanks,
Les

[68Stepbed]

Piston size is the main difference. Most "car" calipers only have about 2.5" pistons. Standard caliper piston size for 1/2 ton trucks are 2 15/16" and 3/4 to 1 ton trucks have 3 5/32" pistons.

In fact, the "big bore" caliper is nearly unmatched in clamping force. The only advantage to multi-piston calipers is pressure being applied evenly across the width of the pads vs the center of one pad.

Many people think they need expensive brakes to stop a truck, when in fact, upgrading to the big bore calipers and a good set of pads, combined with the proper bore sized master cylinder can bring one of these truck to a halt rather quickly.

[aotte1]

Matt,

Thanks for information.

Is their a write up on forum on how to add big bore caliper to 72 K10.

What rotor ( keep 6 lugs), caliper bracket, caliper, is needed?
And what size/diameter wheel do you need to use?

Thanks
Les

[blazer2007]

the 1 ton caliper sounds interesting on a 1/2 ton truck,I would interested as well if they can be made to fit on a 78 style truck

[68Stepbed]

Originally Posted by aotte1

Matt,

Thanks for information.

Is their a write up on forum on how to add big bore caliper to 72 K10.

What rotor ( keep 6 lugs), caliper bracket, caliper, is needed?
And what size/diameter wheel do you need to use?

Thanks
Les

Just order them from the parts store and swap them out. They're a direct swap.

[68Stepbed]

Originally Posted by aotte1

Matt,

Thanks for information.

Is their a write up on forum on how to add big bore caliper to 72 K10.

What rotor ( keep 6 lugs), caliper bracket, caliper, is needed?
And what size/diameter wheel do you need to use?

Thanks
Les

Just order them from the parts store and swap them out. They're a direct swap.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/shop/b/b...=brake+caliper

[68Stepbed]

Originally Posted by blazer2007

the 1 ton caliper sounds interesting on a 1/2 ton truck,I would interested as well if they can be made to fit on a 78 style truck

Same as above, just swap them out.

https://www.oreillyauto.com/shop/b/b...=brake+caliper

[blazer2007]

thanks, finally something easy lol.

[oldman3]

Matt, are you saying that the D-52 car caliper, can be replaced with the 1/2 truck caliper with the larger piston...Jim

[68Stepbed]

Originally Posted by oldman3

Matt, are you saying that the D-52 car caliper, can be replaced with the 1/2 truck caliper with the larger piston...Jim

It really kinda depends on what year. The reason is rotor thickness. 71-80 1/2 ton rotors are 1.25" thick, and 12" diameter. typical car rotors are 11" diameter and 1" thick. Although the diameter won't affect anything, the rotor thickness creates a fitment issue. However, 81-87 1/2 ton trucks were available in both 1" and "heavy duty" 1.25" rotors. As cheap as calipers are, it's worth a shot to try, but keep in mind the 81-87 calipers are metric, so the banjo fittings are different.

[oldman3]

Originally Posted by 68Stepbed

It really kinda depends on what year. The reason is rotor thickness. 71-80 1/2 ton rotors are 1.25" thick, and 12" diameter. typical car rotors are 11" diameter and 1" thick. Although the diameter won't affect anything, the rotor thickness creates a fitment issue. However, 81-87 1/2 ton trucks were available in both 1" and "heavy duty" 1.25" rotors. As cheap as calipers are, it's worth a shot to try, but keep in mind the 81-87 calipers are metric, so the banjo fittings are different.

Thanks Matt, appreicate the info...Jim