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4 wheel disc brakes
#728245 September 26th 2017 12:44 pm
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Ok, so what's the wisdom on converting a 78 G20 to 4 wheel disc brakes? Best method/best kit?


thanks

Re: 4 wheel disc brakes
nomadgames #728252 September 26th 2017 4:28 pm
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Why do you want to do it?


Tucson-it's a dry heat...like an oven
Re: 4 wheel disc brakes
nomadgames #728253 September 26th 2017 4:36 pm
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because I have a 6800 pound van and live in the Rockies and drum brakes suck.

Re: 4 wheel disc brakes
nomadgames #728255 September 26th 2017 4:51 pm
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SSBC brakes makes a conversion kit for your G20. We have used their kits in the past and they are top notch. NOT cheap, but to bring that van to a quick stop, in the rockies...much needed improvement! The kit comes with parking brake and all for $1250.00


Vannin' for Life!
Irish_Lucky
Re: 4 wheel disc brakes
Irish_Lucky #728269 September 26th 2017 6:10 pm
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Originally Posted by Irish_Lucky
SSBC brakes makes a conversion kit for your G20. We have used their kits in the past and they are top notch. NOT cheap, but to bring that van to a quick stop, in the rockies...much needed improvement! The kit comes with parking brake and all for $1250.00


yeesh, that's pretty pricey. I'll look into it, thanks!

Re: 4 wheel disc brakes
nomadgames #728273 September 26th 2017 6:50 pm
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carpal tunnel
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Originally Posted by nomadgames
because I have a 6800 pound van and live in the Rockies and drum brakes suck.

I've thought about this myself for our G1500. We don't have anything like the Rockies here in the SE but we do have some excellent mountain roads. We like to drive the Tail of the Dragon and the Hellbender in our GMC, but only when it's deserted in the winter.
Oh, you asked for thoughts:
The rears really only do about 30 to 40% of the braking. You have 11' x 2.75" drums which are pretty darn good and kits are very pricey. So I guess it's a cost/benefit thing.
The disks may not fade as bad and while that's possibly the only advantage, it IS an important advantage. And they do look killer with the right wheels. The black dust is a PITA.
The mid '90's Impalas (and a few other GM cars) had disk rears. If those parts from a donor could be utilized (and maybe upgraded) that would keep down costs and make future maintenance a breeze. The Chevy pick-up forums have threads on this swap IIRC.
If going with the disks you might swap to the mid 90's G20/G30 hydro-boost power brake booster if yours is currently a vacuum assist. They have a little more grunt.
If you change the brakes you'll need the axles out, good time to replace the axles and bearings.
I'm outta thoughts but would like to see pictures and a build thread if you decide to go to disks.

Re: 4 wheel disc brakes
nomadgames #728274 September 26th 2017 6:57 pm
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you *like* driving the tail of the dragon in a truck? to each his own, I guess ;) Hope it's a shorty. I've been on that road on a motorcycle when long trucks were cutting all the way across the hairpins. crazy ass road. rode it once on a motorcycle, never again. I'll stick to Cherohala and the lesser known twisty roads (i grew up in South Carolina, done a lot of riding around that area).

Thanks for the info, good things to consider. I'll post pics when I do it. I don't personally think that's the only advantage. I know from personal experience that the performance and feel difference between disks and drums is night and day. and 40% of braking is a lot. Especially on high altitude passes with 8% grades.

Re: 4 wheel disc brakes
nomadgames #728276 September 26th 2017 7:36 pm
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carpal tunnel
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Originally Posted by nomadgames
you *like* driving the tail of the dragon in a truck? to each his own, I guess ;) Hope it's a shorty. I've been on that road on a motorcycle when long trucks were cutting all the way across the hairpins. crazy ass road. rode it once on a motorcycle, never again. I'll stick to Cherohala and the lesser known twisty roads


Only in the cold of winter, we don't go there in warm weather, too dangerous. January or February is best. Last time it was high 30's/rainy and we didn't see a single two-wheeler all day. You can see better without the leaves too. The Cherohala is deserted in winter as well and is a prettier ride but our favorite is Hwy 28 all the way down to Warwoman Road.
Poly bushings all around and real tires help
We have slotted/drilled rotors in front (which make a nice difference) and we don't get in a hurry.

.....sorry for the hi-jack.

Re: 4 wheel disc brakes
nomadgames #728279 September 26th 2017 9:05 pm
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No hi jack. All good. I rode that area in winter and had one of the craziest riding days of my life. Rain, fog, twisty roads, and some maniac trying to chase me down in a dually. Hwy 28 is a good one. I'll try those little fixes for now, won't be able to afford the kits for a minute.


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