GMT400 vs. 800

[DV2000NJ]

Shit, I misread what he was asking. I thought he said he didn't have the option to move them.

It's alright, I'm still half asleep.

 

[Zembonez]

Rear discs on that little Blazer would probably work great. In spite of what a lot of folks say, discs are not automatically better on larger vehicles. When the GMT900s came out, Truck trend listed them as stopping over 30 feet shorter than the GMT800s they had tested. I know that isn't exactly a head to head test, but it does show that the drums are working.

Front brakes do most of the stopping anyway...

 

[DV2000NJ]

Rear discs on that little Blazer would probably work great. In spite of what a lot of folks say, discs are not automatically better on larger vehicles. When the GMT900s came out, Truck trend listed them as stopping over 30 feet shorter than the GMT800s they had tested. I know that isn't exactly a head to head test, but it does show that the drums are working.

Front brakes do most of the stopping anyway...

And when they went to rear drums on the trucks, they did increase the front rotor diameter, so that's got more to do with why the newer trucks stop better.

NOT that I have any problem AT ALL with them switching to drums, as long as the trucks stop, who gives a f*ck. And if you think drums are ugly, swap 'em out.

 

[Zembonez]

I agree Dan. As long as either system is designed correctly, it should work fine. Discs do look better!

 

[batman]

I agree Dan. As long as either system is designed correctly, it should work fine. Discs do look better!

+1...depending on the applications of the user..disc or drum doesnt matter as long as the vehicle gets stopped...although disc brakes are a little easier to change,,,i still like the old drum brakes myself..speaking of which i need to change mine..

 

[dietz4ibanez]

I installed disc brakes on my gmt400. Both it and the sierra I had both came with disc brakes. I don't think were available until you get into the heavy Chevy's

How hard was the swap? Just pull the parts from a GMT 800?

Well it was harder because I also installed a 14 bolt sf rear end and re-geared it...and yes those perches had to be ground off and rewelded as well as the shock mounts.

If you look you can find my build thread... its somewhere on here..

The disc brakes I bought from street rod manufacturing... but if you do your homework and find or make the right brackets it will be easier than you think for disc brake conversion....

The rotors,pads and calipers come off of the front of late model monte carlo's

I know all the links should be in my thread...

 

[drperry]

The main reason for going discs is because I already have them... I remember reading somewhere that rear discs work with higher pressure than drums... Don't want to overload anything, and I want my parking brake and everything to bolt right up, and I'm not sure how the ABS will work... Most drum brake vehicles weren't 4 wheel channels... I think

Either way my truck is going to stop WAY better... It's a hell of a braking surface area increase

 

[EppNation]

Resurrecting this thread, as I am after the same information.

My diff took a crap on me, and I've always wanted rear discs. I have available to me a complete GMT800 10.5rg 14bff rear axle with all recently replaced brake components with gears that match mine for less than what I paid for the Mag Hy-Tec diff cover

If it's merely moving spring pads and shock mounts, that's entirely do-able.

I have read somewhere that it is little more than 1" wider, but that would actually be good for me because the GMT800 Alcoa Alum rims I use, create a 2" offset between front/rear width of where tires hit the ground. There are obviously spacers available to compensate for this, but I never saw the need to buy expensive spacers that resulted in added stress to all the rear axle components for claimed "greater stability" at hwy speeds...but having the axle itself being that much closer to the width of the front width, would only be beneficial.

Can anyone who's done this confirm what's involved and report their experience(s) in way truck drives after complete?


Thanks!

 

[OldCracker29]

Resurrecting this thread, as I am after the same information.

My diff took a crap on me, and I've always wanted rear discs. I have available to me a complete GMT800 10.5rg 14bff rear axle with all recently replaced brake components with gears that match mine for less than what I paid for the Mag Hy-Tec diff cover

If it's merely moving spring pads and shock mounts, that's entirely do-able.

I have read somewhere that it is little more than 1" wider, but that would actually be good for me because the GMT800 Alcoa Alum rims I use, create a 2" offset between front/rear width of where tires hit the ground. There are obviously spacers available to compensate for this, but I never saw the need to buy expensive spacers that resulted in added stress to all the rear axle components for claimed "greater stability" at hwy speeds...but having the axle itself being that much closer to the width of the front width, would only be beneficial.

Can anyone who's done this confirm what's involved and report their experience(s) in way truck drives after complete?


Thanks!

Can't help you, but I'll try to give you a bump in hopes that somebody can...good luck!

 

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

I have never seen any GMT400 with rear disc brakes, neither the regional versions or the privately-imported ones.

In spite of what a lot of folks say, discs are not automatically better on larger vehicles.

Many commercial operators actually still prefer drums because they claim it's better suited to harsher environmental conditions. Euro truck manufacturers actually try to phase them out once in a while, but at least here the market demand doesn't justify that move.