i have a 75 cj 5 and want to convert to front disc brakes. someone told me that a dana 30 1976 or newer would adapt if i change the spindles. also do i have to change the master cylinder? if anyone could respond i would appreciate any technical help and info as to where i can get the parts.
thank's garu

The frount mounting plates from a70's chevy truck willl bolt up.the caliper will work to.Rotors from a 80's ford F150 will work,but you will have to have the center opened up.This will keep your 5 on 51/2 bolt patern . Use your orignal hubs and spindals.You will have to replace the wheel studs.,with longer ones. The rotors should slide over the hubs when done.As to the master ,try it.It worked on my 58cj5.I did add portioning valvs,2lbs. for disc. and 10lbs. for drum.If the master dosent work use one from a later jeep.

To answer your question yes you are on the right track. I would look for a 76 and newer d30 with discs and just take from the spindle out. This way saves you from any machining and the change in hub style, and the changing of stub axles. I think the d30 outer stub axle is the same from disc to drum. I would expect to pay from 200.00 up to 350.00 for a complete disc d30. You would also need to swap the mastercylinder from the disc cj along with the proportioning valve. This is the mechanically simplest way to achieve your goal.

Originally posted by wheelinjp I would expect to pay from 200.00 up to 350.00 for a complete disc d30. [/B]

$200- $350?? :eek: Want to buy a couple? D30's are sitting in backyards across america. I think a friend of mine has 2 of them gathering dust.

But yes, the easiest way is as he described, either that or just swap D44 disc brake knuckles and hubs on it. CJ D30's are compatible with D44 knuckles.

Originally posted by oldjeep


$200- $350?? :eek: Want to buy a couple? D30's are sitting in backyards across america. I think a friend of mine has 2 of them gathering dust.

But yes, the easiest way is as he described, either that or just swap D44 disc brake knuckles and hubs on it. CJ D30's are compatible with D44 knuckles.

Wow so the d30s with discs go cheap in the midwest huh? If it has discs here in Washington everyone thinks its worth a mint. I generally dont toss out the d44 info on a d30 improvement Q? since the steering and calipers are bigger and require more attention to the braking system. The last d30 disc front my friend sold was taken for $350.00 and was open with 3.54s. I wish shipping was cheaper. If it was you know front d60s are plentiful for 600.00 bucks in Anchorage AK. It just costs 600 to get them here.

Originally posted by wheelinjp


Wow so the d30s with discs go cheap in the midwest huh?

Axles are cheap in the midwest, MN anyway. It's because after the rest of the vehicle turns to rust colored dust all that's left is the axles, tranny and tcase;) I bought 2 rear D60's recently for $50 each, and scout front and rear D44's go for $50-$100 complete.

Now Body parts, those are expensive here :D

Originally posted by wheelinjp
To answer your question yes you are on the right track. I would look for a 76 and newer d30 with discs and just take from the spindle out. This way saves you from any machining and the change in hub style, and the changing of stub axles. I think the d30 outer stub axle is the same from disc to drum.

Going from the spindle out won't work. The calipers need something to mount on from mid-78 through 86 the caliper mount is cast into the knuckle. The '77-mid78 six bolt bracket is very hard to find. The change in hub style can be overcome with bearings. Newer spindles have a larger diameter inner bearing, but either style of hubs (five bolt or six bolt) will attach to them with the proper bearings. For my '75 I used Chevy Dana 44 backing plates, calipers, and brake lines from a '78 1/2 ton pickup. For the rotors I uses '77-mid 78 CJ rotors (the thick CJ rotors). My stock master cylinder and proportioning valve work great. The only mod was to remove the residual pressure valve out of the master cylinder outlet for the front brakes. Some grinding of the knuckle was necessary to allow the calipers to move on their pins for brake pad wear.

I am doing the same thing myself on a 72 cj-5.A guy I meet on a different board gave me a front end to use for the spare axle.It was a 77 or 78 so I decided to swap out my drums for disc's.It is pretty basic really you have to change everything from the steering knuckles out.And you have to buy new brake lines.I have heard that my master cylinder will work but I have to bleed the brakes and take it for a ride.:smokin:

I did this on my 73 cj5 when i had a dana 30 I bought a $100 frontend and swapped everything from the outer knuckles out.

this includes the outer axle shaft. You can use your inners or use the newer 30's but they are smaller dia.

I used a 81 front end out a cj. remaned calipers where $14 and the rotors where $40 a peice from No Exuses 4x4.

If you buy a decent front end that is maybe still under a running jeep I wouldnt hesitate to use the crap thats already on there.

I spent maybe $200 for it all and I sold the housing for $100.

If you find a frontend that has your matching gears just throuw the whole thing in. Its a bolt in. the spring spacing is the same.

Just remeber to keep your 6 bolt hubs, the 5 bolt newer style are junk .