The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline 54 rear end swap to discs

Found a 54 3100 rolling chassis. This one's gonna have some modifications. Since I'm putting in an automatic I need to swap out the rear. Would like to have something with discs. Has anyone done this swap or know what fits without too much work. Suggestions? Prob going with the CPP front discs.

It all depends on the rearend you are using as far as what is going to be involved. There are numerous kits out there from places like CPP or TSM (Street Rod Manufacturing). The problem with the kits is that they are usually expensive. You may be able to put something together using salvage yard parts (That's what I'm doing on my 3/4 ton). There are also numerous DIY kits out there that the 4x4 guys have been using for years. Try www.wfoconcepts.com or www.4wdfacory.com , they have weld on kits that will work with just about anything. They use mid-80's calipers from k10/k20 trucks or 75-79 Caddy calipers if you want a parking brake.

Thanks Whitedog. So much info on line I'm having a hard time locating any specifics. I like to try and use the KISS method as often as possible. Would much rather go salvage than custom. How far along are you on the 3/4 ton?

Yep, late 70's Sevilles. They are factory rear-disc brake and the same 8.5" diff. as in Gen.II novas, a little different than the Deville brakes if I recall. Too bad the Seville ratio is 2.43:1, great freeway gear though. I think the spring perches are even the same width as a stock '54 3200 rear spring width.

Well, I haven't got very far on the front, other than fitting the rotor to the hub and figuring out the best way to mount the caliper. My first attempt at brackets failed, so I'm on to plan B. In my haste, I overlooked a couple things, so plan B is actually going to be much simpler (I hope). I orderd some tapered roller bearing and I'm waiting on them to come in before I do any more.

For the rear I'm going to try any pick up a 14 bolt next week. I'm then going to go back to the scrapyard and see If I can't get the calipers and parking brake setup off of the van that I robbed the front calipers from.

I too am working on a 3/4. I bought a 1/2 ton front axle and order a bracket kit from CPP.com. That will accept 70 camaro rotors and calipers; I'll get them locally. The rear end and axle I am taking off. I found an 81 firebird rear axle assembly at a junk yard. The width matches and I will have a local shop match the spring bracket positions and weld for me. Then I will have good drum brakes on the back and disc on the front.

I'm actually sticking with the 3/4 ton 8 lug axle. I robbed some calipers from a 2500 series van and picked up a rotor at O'reillys. I'm working on fabricating brackets though.

Check out what I did so far on photobucket.com/whitedog76pics