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R&P's Disk brake conversion- S10 based

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by homersdog, Feb 14, 2015.

  1. Feb 14, 2015
    homersdog

    homersdog Tulsa, Ok 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Does any one have experience with "light" front disk brake conversions based on Chevy S-10 parts?

    R&P is selling the kits on Ebay for $450. I emailed them and they say it is intended for folks who are not going to run tires larger than 33's and take good care of their vehicles. That's pretty much me.

    The advantages of the S-10 based kit as I see it are 1) totally bolt on 2) lower cost components, 3) rotor goes on the front of the hub not the back, so it is easier to maintain like every modern car on the planet.

    The only draw back that I can see is less braking power. But I have 10" drums that don't have much braking power anyway.



    Here is the kit I am talking about:

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/55-71-CJ5-Front-Disc-Brake-Conversion-KIt-/291314315121?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43d3afaf71&vxp=mtr

    Here is their kit based on the 1/2 ton chevy parts

    http://shop.rp4wd.com/product/kits-disc-5

    I know there are a lot of write ups on gathering parts to make your own kit, but I started doing the math for gathering the parts, getting the hubs machined etc, and I don't see a lot of savings. Also I barely have time as it with two teenage kids so I can be running over to junkyards scrounging.

    Any thoughts or comments are appreciated!

    Thanks
     
  2. Feb 14, 2015
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    says you need 76 and up wheels.

    You can save yourself a boat load of money if you just put the kit together yourself.
     
  3. Feb 14, 2015
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
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    It's like the old story about the engineer who retired only to get hired back on an emergency contract to fix a piece of expensive equipment. Within 10 minutes he put a chalk "X" on a certain spot on the machine and told the operator to hit it on the "X" with a hammer. He did and the machine worked perfectly. When the consultant's bill arrived it read "One chalk mark, $ 5.00 Knowing where to put said chalk mark, $15,000. Please remit in full."

    Bottom line, somebody put some time and effort into putting that kit together and working out all the kinks. I have no problem with them making a few bucks so I don't have to re-invent the wheel myself. Besides, I have a very good idea who that somebody was. ;)
     
    Last edited: Feb 14, 2015
  4. Feb 14, 2015
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
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    I can understand their reluctance to not show the caliper bracket in the photo.
    They spent the R-D to design their product.
    They may/may not be the first to market such product.
    But the cat will soon be out the bag, for the first person to post a picture on-line will tell the tale.
    There are lots of folks out there who don't tell all when they "make something work" for their application.
    They might be better to market just the caliper brackets and leave the rest alone.
    Good luck to them and their sales.
     
  5. Feb 14, 2015
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
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    Based on my experience with R&P, and doing these types of conversions. Just get the kit and don't look back. They will help you IF you have a problem or a question.

    As to 'big enough' - think on it this way. I KNOW an S10 weighs more than my jeep. Rolling mass of a 33X15X10.5 (especially on AL wheels) is probably not much more than a lot of folks ran with 'upgraded tires and wheels' on an S10 in the day anyhow.
     
  6. Feb 14, 2015
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I would say . it's everything you need to get the job done . R&P selling the kit . your always going pay a little more for something that has already been engineered
    to work in your application . go for it . I don't have disk brakes .nor the real need for them . but I would consider this kit at 250ish each side . brake parts aren't as cheap as they use to be at auto parts store
     
  7. Feb 14, 2015
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    actually I did post all of things I needed to have and everything I needed to do to make mine work on the dana 25 and then swapped over to the dana 30.The dana 25, 27 and 30 with drums all use the same hubs bearings and spindles.

    http://www.earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?threads/94862

    www.earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?threads/best-narrow-track-dana-30-iteration-questions.111568

    Im not here to dissuade you from using a full kit from a company that is offering it and support to go with it. I am just offering a cheaper option for those that either don't have the money or want to do it on their own. Its really easy actually. I had so little trouble that I thought I did something wrong. Whatever you do, make sure you install a double master cylinder if you don't already have one. As far as the rear disk brakes go, They just bolted right up on my D44. I used the same set up as the front. The reason I went with the disk brakes was because they were so incredibly cheap. The backer plates were 85 bucks a set and the disk brake parts were 149.00 both sides complete including shipping to my house. All brand new parts. So for under 250 bucks I had brakes where I had none before. This was my cheapest option to have brakes. I have read a little about the s-10 rears for emergency brakes and also the eldorado rears for the same, but nothing concrete. Its been done many times I am sure, I just haven't seen a good how to on it.

    In so far as disk vs drum.. I have had 11inch drums on a cj2a a long time ago. I now have Gm disks both front and rear on my present 2a. I cannot say that the disks are really better than the drums were. Both manual master cylinders. I can say that the 9" brakes my 2a's came with were so insufficient that they were downright dangerous.

    I am sure the R&P kit will be complete and perfect right out of the box. I am also sure that if you have any trouble they will give you support. I am also sure that is worth it when you need it. Just my 2 cents.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 7, 2023
  8. Feb 14, 2015
    homersdog

    homersdog Tulsa, Ok 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Thanks for the link to your parts list 47v6. I had actually created my own list but it was adding up to 300 plus freight, I'll do it using your part numbers.

    Edit:
    By the way, my jeep has the original 10" all around, and theyare fine unless they get wet or if you have to stomp on them or if one of the wheel cylinders starts a little leak, then its anybodies guess which way to pull the wheel. Disks are much safer, that's why mfrs have been switching to them over the past 50 years

    I have been driving it since 78 so I am used to the jeeps quirks, but both my kids are approaching driving age. I figured I would put discs on the front before they start driving it.
    Thanks again!
     
    Last edited: Feb 14, 2015
  9. Feb 14, 2015
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    R&P kit is a great deal if you're looking at 300 bucks just for the parts. Not too long ago I was seeing these advertised in the 850.00 plus range. 550 isn't a bad deal with new hubs, bearings, backers and all the brake parts. My part numbers are old. I just threw it up there for an idea.
     
  10. Feb 14, 2015
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

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    Fwiw the R&P 1/4 toN Brake bracket is a special built part, not from another stock application so don't bother looking.
    They have had issues from competitors copying their brake products so they are a touch sensitive about the custom parts. In one case the people copying the parts screwed them up and then R&P were receiving calls about "their poor quality parts" when they didn't build even build them.
     
  11. Feb 15, 2015
    47v6

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    I saw that pic with the 1/4 ton kit. The backer plate was MUCH more robust than the regular GM one. I surmised it was custom.
    http://www.earlycj5.net/forums/showthread.php?112702-75-Disc-Brake-Conversion
    The more I think about this http://shop.rp4wd.com/product/kits-disc-5 at 550.00 is a good deal. There are other competitors that want in excess of 800 bucks for it and the studs aren't even pressed in to the hubs and disks. You just get a bunch of parts that you need to put together for 300 plus bucks more.
     
  12. Feb 15, 2015
    Chris Insull

    Chris Insull All roads lead me back to the beach... 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I'm a little confused on the "'76 and up wheel" part in the Ebay ad. Would the kit work with after market 15" aluminum wheels? The R&P site seems to indicate that it would clear fine...
     
    Last edited: Feb 15, 2015
  13. Feb 15, 2015
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

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    I agree, it looks like after market wheels would be fine. I think that kit would be an excellent choice and is well worth the money.
     
  14. Feb 15, 2015
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

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    Aftermarket wheels should clear no problem. They say '76 and newer wheels to avoid the earlier drum brake wheels people want to use that won't clear calipers.
     
  15. Feb 15, 2015
    Chris Insull

    Chris Insull All roads lead me back to the beach... 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I'll probably call them and speak to a rep for more info. Interested in finding about MC upgrade requirements and any OBTW info they might provide with a kit purchase.
     
  16. Feb 15, 2015
    47v6

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    Get the remote reservoir master cylinder. I didn't and its kind of a PITA. http://shop.rp4wd.com/product/willys-jeep-cj-dual-res-master-cylinder-conversion-kit. I have a master cylinder from a 1970 cj5 and i made a bracket system similar to herms. http://hermtheoverdriveguy.com/?page_id=828

    I bought my master cylinder new from rock auto for around 60 bucks. To do it again I would either buy Herms complete or do the R&P route.

    If you want to fabricate the brackets you can get a remote one from wilwood from summit or jegs. http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Wilwood-Combination-Remote-Fill-Master-Cylinder-Kit,1133.html
     
  17. Feb 15, 2015
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

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    I swap to wilwood pedals (along with the hydro clutch setups) and all my disc units are on D30s right now. I'll probably swap to the R&P setup on the '62 as it's keeping the D27 in the front on it.
     
  18. Feb 15, 2015
    homersdog

    homersdog Tulsa, Ok 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I think I am going to talk to R&P Monday about the 1/2 ton- $549. I am leaning that way because the kit comes with new bearings which I am going to end up needing anyway. The kit is not as cheap as the S10 version, but with the included bearings and new hubs I understand why. (Bearing sets on Rockauto are 8.73 ea x 4 is 34.92 + about $9 shipping, so 45 bucks.) What bothers me is that R&P want $81 for shipping regardless of where you are in the US, so I am going to ask them if they will give me the Christmas "free shipping" deal they still have on their home page.

    If R&P won't work with me on shipping I may decide to go with "The Jeep Guy's" Kit ($500) depending on what he'll do for me on shipping costs. If I understand correctly he is getting his parts from R&P anyway. His kit doesn't include the bearings, so Ill get the Rockauto parts.

    I know several of the members here are friends with the R&P guys, so I hope no ones feelings get hurt if I go with "The Jeep Guy" kit , but I am just looking out for #1.

    Thanks everyone for all the comments and ideas!
     
  19. Feb 15, 2015
    homersdog

    homersdog Tulsa, Ok 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    FWIW in Moses Ludels cj rebuilders manual he uses a disc conversion kit made by Warn. It is based on a caliper bracket designed by warn and uses S10 brake calipers and rotors on the front side of the hub. I cant find it for sale anywhere so I don't know if it ever went into production.

    Anyway there is nothing new about this setup it turns out.
     
  20. Feb 16, 2015
    zila

    zila I throw poop

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    I just installed R&P's 1/2 ton disc setup on my 75. At least the $549 version. I bought mine with the free shipping, as I also bought a front D44 as well at the same time. I bought it because everything is there, and the bearing races are installed.. New bearings as well. And super tech support. An actual person answers the phone.. As far as shipping I am sure they have a third party working out the shipping details. $81 wouldn't be a deal breaker for me.. As for the Jeep Guy's stuff, add in $45 for bearings and the fact that you have to do an install, and it is a wash.. I bet the Jeep Guy isn't any cheaper on shipping.

    Call R&P and talk to em..
     
    Last edited: Feb 16, 2015
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