Disc brake conversation rear 88 GW

[va1968sh]

ok, I am giving strong thought to converting to rear disc brakes, 1988 GW, Dana 44. I have looked at the TMS kit and I can get a set of rear GM calipers, as recommended, very cheap. Of course, the less the cost, the better, right?

What I need is the opnions and information from those Jeep GW owners who have done a rear disc conversation. Some of the kits I looked at would not work on the later model Jeep GW's.

Thanks in advance for any help or direction.

Sid Helms
88GW, 401+:drivin:

[goldhammer]

Look for a set of either boneyard or mcparts house rebuilt eldo rear calipers from a mid 70's ( big bolt pattern, will have the park brake set up. Rotors will be early 90's hd GM 1/2 4x4. Brackets are available from AA Mfg. at about $8.00 each (real good people to deal with). Some toss the proportioning valve, others leave it in. I plan on putting in an adjustable one to be able to dial it in.

[va1968sh]

Are the brackets a bolt on??? thanks for your reply.

[AMX factor]

I used a kit off ebay. Paid $260 shipped in. Brackets, bolts, spacers, rotors and info on what other parts you need to get to install it. After getting "new" calipers and misc pieces I had about $325 in the conversion. I didn't go adjustable prop valve, factory worked fine. Best money I spent on the GW. I'm converting all my vehicles(that aren't rear disc) to rear discs.

[goldhammer]

No, brackets from AA are weld on. Trim the backing plate down to the size of the housing end. Don't throw it away, it is needed for bearing preload.

[va1968sh]

Could I ask from who? What year is your jeep? There is a kit listed now but the seller verified it will not fit a 88 GW, DANA 44. Am I confused???

[Heep80]

not to hyjack the tread but any one have to parts/goodies needed for the AMC20 brake conversion?

[va1968sh]

Thanks............I need some help!!!

[oldmanb777]

I have heard mixed review about this conversion. Would be nice to find a real good one. I guess this one may not be enough brake. I have also heard that some Isuzu Rodeo's used a copy of a Dana 44, and had disc brakes. But try this http://www.tsmmfg.com/

[El Jefe]

the parts are the same for the AMC 20 as they are for the Dana 44.

i did the disc brake swap on my cherokee and its the best thing i ever did, and i think the kits are overpriced. i believe that A&A manufacturing also has bolt on brackets as well. you'll have to look on their website.

[AMX factor]

I heard AMC 20 is same as D44 also. I'd test it for you but I don't have any 6 lug AMC 20's! I am doing a disc conversion on an AMC 20 for cars.

[goldhammer]

Since the 44 and 20 housings are very, very close in diameter, the same AA bracket will work for both. (weld on) Trim the backing plate down, mount the rotor, secure with a couple of lug nuts, then fit the caliper and bracket to get the pad contact area where it needs to be. You might have to do some grinding on the bracket to get a good fit.

I did not see a bolt on bracket in their hard copy catalog last year though.

[AMX factor]

If the AMC 20 is the same as the D44 and you want a bolt on bracket go here: www.steeltechsolutions.com it's where I got my D44 parts.

[billyrb]

I did the bolt-on kit on the LT-1, and I'm also in the process of doing it on the Cherokee. Takes all of about an hour to hour and a half for both sides.

[va1968sh]

I'm confused which isn't nothing new. I emailed the seller on ebay and he replied the kit will not work on a 88 GW Dana 44. Did you use that kit on your 87 GW, Dana 44??? If so, which calipers??

Is this the kit?? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Rear-Disc-Brakes-Jeep-Cherokee-Wagoneer-J10-Dana-44_W0QQitemZ230075868465QQihZ013QQcategoryZ42605QQ rdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks,
Sid Helms
88 GW 401+

[Heep80]

thanks I will do some research at the parts store and see what prices etc, I can get.. my buddy will give me a couple of bucks discount.

[AMX factor]

Curious why he said it wouldn't work on an 88? I used his kit on my 87 6 lug D44 with no problems at all. I used the non e-brake Pontiac Firebird calipers.

[va1968sh]

I agree............finally............he did say it would fit, and here is the paste from the email. They are in reverse order:

This will fit the 6-lug Jeeps with the Dana 44. These are not for the 5-lug models, but do fit the 6-lug models.
I don't know how else to say it.
Do you have a question?

And I had asked:

Sir, this is a 6 lug with DANA 44 rear housing. The flange has 4 bolts. How have we got off on 5 lugs?? The kit is made and listed for???? Will it fit a 1988 Jeep grand Wagoneer 6 lug bolts, Dana 44 rear housing?

Thanks

It was in response to:

This will fit the 6-lug Jeeps, but I don't know of any 5-lug that it would fit.
You can use a link below to view the instructions + parts list, place an order, or visit our website with other products.
THANKS!


I just wanted a simple answer...........will it or will it not fit a 88GW........Looks like it will.

[billyrb]

That isn't the kit I used, but I think some others here have used that one on their rigs.

[va1968sh]

I believe it will fit because there is no differance in a 87 or 88 GW as far as the axel housing. Thanks for your input.

[rich78j10]

Look for a set of either boneyard or mcparts house rebuilt eldo rear calipers from a mid 70's ( big bolt pattern, will have the park brake set up. Rotors will be early 90's hd GM 1/2 4x4. Brackets are available from AA Mfg. at about $8.00 each (real good people to deal with). Some toss the proportioning valve, others leave it in. I plan on putting in an adjustable one to be able to dial it in.

Do the rotors from the GM truck have to be re-drilled?

[AMX factor]

The GM 6 holes are a direct match for the AMC 6 hole.

[Towtruck]

Here's a string with photos for a swap on an AMC-20:

http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=66866&highlight=amc-20+disk

http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=77405&highlight=amc20+disk

Regarding the question about redrilling, the GM hub uses larger diameter studs then the Jeep, so the holes in the disk are of larger diameter. If you want a snug fit, redrill the holes. If a little slop is OK with you, slap 'em on right out of the box. I redrilled mine.

[rich78j10]

Thankis for the info. building kit from scratch. I need to just make sure I have this right.

1. Caddy calipers.
2. GM truck rotors
3. AA mfg brackets

More questions:
1. What about the spacers, nuts and bolts? Do I use the old stuff off my vehical or do I need to buy them somewhere?
2. How do I know what bolts, spacers, etc. to buy?

Thanks in advance.

[goldhammer]

Get the caliper bolts with the calipers, and grab a couple of extra hose to hard line bracket retaining clips. Figure on new hoses, pads, some hard line, or shorten and reflare existing as necessary. When you get the AA brackets, get a pair of their brake line brackets (where the hard line meets the hose end you need to anchor there) they will allow you to put that line junction where ever it will be out of danger from hooking it on stuff.

2 different sizes of brackets for the GM calipers-large and small-get your calipers then order the appropiate brkts. Big brkt is the earlier caliper on the eldos and the small one is the later version.

Cut down the original backing plates to the axle end plate and leave the remainder in place. That sets your axle shaft bearing pre-load.

If you don't need/want the e-brake, or eldo calipers are hard to come by in your area, you can use mid 70's gm 1/2 ton 4x4 calipers, or use those and some kind of driveline e-brake set up

[rich78j10]

Thanks to you all for your help.

Here is a link I found to one hell of a price on a set of rebuilt calipers complete with pads.

http://stores.channeladvisor.com/USASUPERSALE/Items/425960?sck=7380336

[goldhammer]

those be the small version, but good price.

[rich78j10]

How do you tell the diff between the large and small? I thought since these were for Eldorado they would be the large ones.

[billyrb]

Rich, the kit I used is the one we now sell (used on both my '79 and my '88). Both were bolt-on and took about 45 minutes to install.

[goldhammer]

The small ones measure about 5 - 5 1/2 inches center to center on the caliper bolts. Big ones are 7 - 7 1/2 inches, and were used till 77-78

[Towtruck]

Rich,

Be sure those $49 calipers come with the e-brake lever/ bracket/spring assembly...otherwise you'll be searching for them. In my expereience the later (small, metric) Caddy calipers are perfectly balanced (front/rear) for a street application...no need to mess with the combi-valve. I suspect the big ones with all that extra piston area might upset the front/rear balance and require a new valve. Regards

[rich78j10]

Thanks for all the tips guys. Your all awesome.