4 wheel disc brakes...

FROM STOCK TO WILD, BRAKE ISSUES AND UPGRADES GO HERE.
Post Reply

Topic author
Moreforles
I sleep in my van
Posts: 354
Joined: Fri Feb 22, 2008 8:35 am
Location: Cleveland, Ohio

4 wheel disc brakes...

Post by Moreforles »

not that it matters now, but just curious, anyone find or install rear disc brakes on any Safari/Astros..... I hate doing drum brakes.... what a pain....compared to rotors and pads....
2000 Astro, passenger van. Converted into a cargo van, used for Carpet cleaning (10 lbs of crap, in a 5 lb bag)

LiftedAWDAstro
I have my van tatooed on my cheeks
Posts: 4379
Joined: Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:35 pm
Location: New Haven, NY

Re: 4 wheel disc brakes...

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

2003 - 2005's came standard with them. I swapped a set of discs onto the 98 SPB but it has a Dana 60 rear axle.
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

Mileage spreadsheet

Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy

Topic author
Moreforles
I sleep in my van
Posts: 354
Joined: Fri Feb 22, 2008 8:35 am
Location: Cleveland, Ohio

Re: 4 wheel disc brakes...

Post by Moreforles »

that tells me what year(s) I'll be looking for when it's time to replace the 96 when it eventually dies... (years from now I hope)
2000 Astro, passenger van. Converted into a cargo van, used for Carpet cleaning (10 lbs of crap, in a 5 lb bag)

ihatemybike
I plan to be buried in my van
Posts: 2224
Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:57 pm
Location: Elgin, IL

Re: 4 wheel disc brakes...

Post by ihatemybike »

What do you find so difficult with drums?

As long as you check them once a year and make sure the drum doesn't develop a pad groove, they should be easy enough to pull apart.

I've found that some locking needle nose pliers are very helpful when dealing with the springs.
Aaron

2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
User avatar

SoCalli V8
Retired
Retired
Posts: 1209
Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 5:42 pm
Location: Lost Angels, Sovern KarlyFornia.

Re: 4 wheel disc brakes...

Post by SoCalli V8 »

Do a search for disc brakes to find out that it is not as easy as just bolting them on. I had many problems trying to get mine to work, thats when I discovered the 11inch rear drum swap.
`86 V8 Lowered Cargo, extensively modified, shaved bald, wearing the shortest, sluttyest white primer dress....

A British Wanker living in So KarlyFornia.
My Astro tows my toys to Glamis sand dunes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp2pqjQtpso
First ever canal jump at Glamis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXZjM84x_Xc

Topic author
Moreforles
I sleep in my van
Posts: 354
Joined: Fri Feb 22, 2008 8:35 am
Location: Cleveland, Ohio

Re: 4 wheel disc brakes...

Post by Moreforles »

SoCalli V8 wrote:Do a search for disc brakes to find out that it is not as easy as just bolting them on. I had many problems trying to get mine to work, thats when I discovered the 11inch rear drum swap.

then its more likely, I'll just wait until 96 dies, then strip it for parts and pick up one that already has rear disc brakes... although the 96 body is in very good shape other than rear doors... which i have a line on a replacement set for.... first owner must have taken good care of it... underneath is still clean.
2000 Astro, passenger van. Converted into a cargo van, used for Carpet cleaning (10 lbs of crap, in a 5 lb bag)
Post Reply