Drum to disc conversion questions

What is the cheapest way to convert my Dana 30 from drum to disc brakes?:?

Any help or advice would be appreciated

Thanks, Buck

 

Find a doner Dana 30 that has discs already. Swap the knuckles and everything over.

You may have to change out the master cylinder or pull the residual valve out of the one you have. Otherwise you may experience brake lockup while driving.

 

will brakes off a dana 30 in a bronco work? thanks for your help im getting frustrated.

 

No idea on the Bronco breaks. I used the knuckles and roters from an 83 CJ.

 

I would just swap out to a newer 30 with discs already less headache.

 

But then you have to worry about gear ratios and if you already have a locker in your current set up that has to go as well.

 

I think that if you have enough knowledge, you can just add the pieces to get front disks. Probably require some research and you may go down a blind alley or two.

The advantage of the method HudsonHawk recommended is that its proven, and you change everything from the knuckle out. You then have the complete brakes from an '80s CJ or whatever - no parts mixing. And, you get to keep your axle gearing. The ratios are different after 1975, going from 3.73/4.27 std/opt to 3.54/4.10, so you're unlikely to find an axle with disks that matches your gear ratio. Changing gears is a whole 'nother level... changing the knuckles seems extra sensible to me.

 

do a google search for dana 30 disc swap and lots of info should come up. I spend many hours researching before i did mine. Good luck. Do save the old drum stuff it offset about a 1/4 of the cost of mine.

 

You may be able to use the Bronco D30 discs. But you'd have to swap out everything from the knuckles out. I have my doubts though. I haven't heard of anyone doing it that way. I used Chevy 1/2 T brackets with the 1 1/8" thick rotors (77-78 CJ) and Chevy calipers. Did a fair amount of grinder time on the knuckles to clear the calipers. Also the brackets need to be re-clocked by 1/2 a hole to get full turning radius. I'm waiting for a sunny day or two to re-clock mine. Do a post if you decide to go with the Chevy conversion and I'll look up the inner bearing race # you'll need.