Dana 30 disc brake question

I'm going through a dana 30 front end ('78 or '79, not exactly sure), replacing seals, bearings, brake components, etc.

It has 7/8' thick rotors, and 2-bolt caliper brackets.

I have other dana 30 spare parts available to swap in, if I want to.

My question is...seeing that I'm going to buy new rotors, is it worth the extra 20 dollars, or so, to go with 1 1/8" rotors? I also have 6-bolt caliper brackets that I can use...are they any better, or worse than 2-bolt calipers?

Thanks, as always.

Rich

 

I've had both, you really don't notice a difference on a 3,000lb vehicle. In fact, I sometimes think the 1-1/8" with semi-metallic pads stay too cold. I think maybe 7/8" tend to keep the pads a little warmer and a little better grab. Nothing scientific, never measured the temps, just seat of pants feel. Organic pads do help out a bit.

7/8" is '79

 

Another consideration would be availability of replacement parts. I just bought new rotors, calipers and pads for the 6-bolt version and while they are obtainable I did have to search a bit. The 2-bolt version was used a lot longer and parts seem to be both cheaper and more readily available.

 

Thanks for the info.

I was going to get all my parts here...

http://www.jeep4x4center.com/jeep-brake-parts/cj5-cj7-cj8-scrambler/index.htm

I'll probably just stick with the 7/8" thick rotors (they're $21.00 cheaper each), and 2-bolt caliper brackets.

Rich

 

I have had no problems with the 7/8 rotors on my cj. The calipers are cheep too. 15 bucks each.
Posted via Mobile Device

 

Since you have the knuckles for the two bolt, use the two bolt parts in your jeep. The reason is that you can save the 6 bolt set-up for a front disc conversion on an older jeep if you ever need to.

 

I read the other thread, in here, about the dana 30 disc brake swap, and it offered different ideas about how to accomplish that.

I didn't read anywhere about specifically using a 6-bolt set-up, over a 2-bolt set-up.

Do you HAVE to use a 6-bolt set-up ( if you decide to use newer jeep parts)on an older jeep for disc brakes?

I happen to have the 6-bolt knuckles,spindles,hubs, & caliper brackets. So all someone would need is the rotors, calipers, pads, and hoses?

Thanks.

Rich

 

Yup, and brake lines and a slightly thicker inner bearing race. About 1/8" thicker. Some people use a shim to move the rotor out the 1/8".

 

The advantage of the 6 bolt set-up when doing a swap on an older jeep is that a person doesn't have to swap knuckles since the caliper bracket fits on the 6 studs.

 

You can also use the 6 bolt brackets to convert a closed knuckle front to disc brakes. Can't do that with the 2 bolt units.