Disc brake calipers in aluminum?

[Strode]

The disc brake calipers in my '82 seem to be sourced from GM, because they say Delco Moraine on them.
Does anybody know if there is a latter year bolt on aluminum replacement for the cast iron ones?

[Heavy_Metal_Thunder_81]

Why....?

[Strode]

I dunno.....they are lighter and they look better? I guess for the same reason somebody would go to an aluminum water pump over a cast iron one.

They haven't made cast iron calipers for 15 years. Even the biggest, heaviest trucks have aluminum calipers.

If there are bolt in replacements of the same caliper, I'd rather have aluminum.

[Chevelleguy]

No

[jamesdart]

They haven't made cast iron calipers for 15 years. Even the biggest, heaviest trucks have aluminum calipers.

really???

[KaiserMan]

They haven't made cast iron calipers for 15 years. Even the biggest, heaviest trucks have aluminum calipers.

That is absolutely not true. Many of the latest vehicles out there are going out the factory doors with cast iron calipers. Especially trucks.

Aluminum calipers are pointless on a FSJ. The weight savings will not amount to anything remotely noticeable, unless you plan on ditching A LOT of other weight.

[Strode]

That is absolutely not true. Many of the latest vehicles out there are going out the factory doors with cast iron calipers. Especially trucks.

Aluminum calipers are pointless on a FSJ. The weight savings will not amount to anything remotely noticeable, unless you plan on ditching A LOT of other weight.

Sorry, I stand corrected about big trucks all having aluminum calipers. I guess.....I made that up
I know the weight savings would be zip.

Mine have to be replaced......I was wondering if there were aluminum ones that bolted in.

Thanks.

[KaiserMan]

I don't think I've ever seen aluminum calipers for our style GM/Jeep brakes stock. You might be able to find something from a performance catalog that deals with Chevy trucks. But all aluminum calipers are good for around here is pitting and leaking 10x faster than cast iron. Probably not an issue where you are!

[FSJ Guy]

I could of course be wrong, but wouldn't an AL caliper have to be noticeably larger than a cast iron caliper to have the same strength?

Not worth it for our heavy trucks.

[Oolah10293]

Look at the Wilwood D52 calipers... they are aluminium and dual piston. I just bought a set but haven't installed them yet. Not cheap though....

http://www.wilwood.com/Calipers/CaliperList.aspx?subname=GM%20D52%20Dual%20Piston

[Carnuck]

Look at the Wilwood D52 calipers... they are aluminium and dual piston. I just bought a set but haven't installed them yet. Not cheap though....

http://www.wilwood.com/Calipers/Cali...0Dual%20Piston

For racing, not offroad or daily driving

[Jeepguy77]

They would be fine for offroad, and daily driving, especially towing. Better brakes can benefit any car.

[JeepinPete]

The way the calipers are designed, changing from cast iron to aluminum would greatly increase flexing of the caliper. That in turn would reduce braking force and create a spongy pedal. Neither of which I would like in my brakes.

You see, aluminum is one third the density of iron, but is also half as stiff. You can make an equivalent part out of aluminum, but it would need to be twice as massive to remain as stiff as the cast iron part.

[babywag]

That's why they're dual tiny pistons vs. 1 big piston.

[Jeepguy77]

Look at the Wilwood D52 calipers... they are aluminium and dual piston. I just bought a set but haven't installed them yet. Not cheap though....

http://www.wilwood.com/Calipers/Cali...0Dual%20Piston

I am curious as to if they will just bolt on. keep us posted. It seems like there arent too many, if any caliper upgrades available for these trucks.