14 bolt disc conversion questions...

[MMinNM]

New guy to this board I have some questions. I have a 76 K20 that's my winter daily driver up here in the NM mountians. Just did the front end, brakes, ball joints and tie rods. Now I will have to do the rear brakes. I don't ever remember being in there in the 10+ years I've had this truck. It's going to need (I'd bet) shoes, drums and hardware all replaced.

Came across the disc brakes conversion several places, eg:
http://www.shakerbuilt.com/14_Bolt.html

and

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/14-BO...QQcmdZViewItem

At first thought this sounds like a good way to go. Better brakes, lighter (dump those big heavy drums), cheaper, easy enough to do. At second thought no one mentions if a master cylinder change is necessary, most times a disc/disc conversion from a disc/drum requires a disc/disc master cylinder. No one mentions a proportioning valve changeout. AND, though I can think of no reason I can't live without a dust cover/guard I sure would think I'd like to still have my emergency brake. I use it often during times like hooking up trailers and just about every day when parking and leaving the heater running while I check my mailbox.

If any of you guys have done this swap out I'd sure like your comments.

[trkklr77]

search, its been fully covered.


and dont use any make of brackets that has loose spacers or only 3 bolt holes, they fail often.

[surpip]

a search will answer most of your questions, pretty easy swap, my kit has the loose spacers, 5,000 miles on it no problems. Caddy calipers will give you a e-brake, but it dosent work well, and most times it is a PITA to hook up. better to go with a driveline e brake