The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts engine swap

You don't want to do a disk brake conversion on the original rear axle. The rear gears even with that 454 are going to limit your top speed and there are no good options for that axle. Better to swap another rear under it, and best would be to find something that already has disks if that is your preference.

You may want to look hard at Grigg's photos of that axle swap and get a good description from him of what it cost. Doing a swap like he did doesn't mean the steering won't be a problem, it just means you have a different set of problems to tackle. But doing one the same as someone else has does mean you can ask questions about how to procede.

What kind of trailer are you planning to pull, with what kind of loads? Where do you plan to pull that trailer? What do you plan to haul on the bed of the truck? I ask because it will be easier to make suggestions and answer questions with that kind of context. Do you intend to preserve the 16,000 GVWR?

If you are 14 I assume you are at least a year away from being able to drive the truck on public roadways. That gives you some time to work on doing it right.