converting drum/shoe to rotor/disc....

[jdfenske]

own a 94 dakota, 3.9

wanted to in someway put disc brakes on the rear axle

how should i go about this? swap the entire axle housing out? or just bolt on some it to accomidate the caliper? and what about the rotor? need to change the axle?
what about speed sensor? is that in the trans or in the pig?

how should i do this? or is it even practical.

need to gain better stopping performance, in the end get away from shoe/drum

[75K30]

The Dakota used a couple of different axle tube diameters, so measure before you run right out and start ssrounging for parts.
Dodge Dakota
For the money, I doubt you can beat these deals, These are a simple way to obtain a rear disc brake set-up.

[jdfenske]

sweeeet

i'm assuming i can use my old axles and housing? just uses back plate of the old shoe setup?


and wait, it's $260 for just the brackets bolts and rotors? another $120 for a set of calipers?

[75K30]

Yes, you hae the option of purchasing your own calipers, or using theirs.
Often times a salvage yard caliper can be found for dirt cheap, or even a reman set from your local parts house.

As far as your backing plate, the drum brake hardware and the backing plates get thrown in the scrap pile. You will have to bolt on the brackets to the flange where the backing pate used to bolt to, and then you will slip on a rotor, it is really that simple on a semi floating axle.
That picture in the link is exactly what it will look like,
You can see the bracket bolted to the end of the axle tube, and you can see here how it all botls together

[jdfenske]

that is what one concern i had; if i could use a set of calipers as the front. wasn't for sure if it's a standard bolt on size. be awesome if i can order an exact set as what's already on the front.


as my problem is i have a 4 door utility raised topper on the truck, being 8ft bed, it's full lenght, and between all my tools and hardware, plus topper weight, it tips the scales with 1900#. even added extra leafs for everyday carry, and overloads for when i hitch a trailer that's a bit tongue heavy.

i don't drive it much as i used to, mostly because now the front's are overloaded and basically cooking with each stop.

pulling a trailer is actually easier, got it plumped with a electric controller

everyone tells me to get a bigger truck, but then that means bigger engine. can't do that these days...


thanks for the info. much appreciated. definably will make a move on this.