Upgrading front drums to disc brakes should I also upgrade front axle to 4.10

[76cj7chick]

I converted my 1976 CJ7 from manual brakes to power brakes with a yj single diaphram brake booster and a disc/drum master cylinder and proportion valve.

I got everything installed and just need to bleed the brakes but was told by a neighbor that I will need to convert my front drum brakes to disc brakes too other wise I will have to pump my brakes to get them to work.

Anyone have experience with this? I read that I could just get an adjustable proportion valve to fix it... But would like to get other opinions.

If I do need to convert from drum brakes to disc, can I get used? (New costs $600+). :/ If can get a good used pair, what parts do I need to get?

A guy on cl said he will sell his front Dana 30 with 4.10 gear ratio and disc brakes for $300. However, my rear end is a 3.54 gear ratio (more for DD)...Which seems too low for my higher rear gear ratio.

I also asked him if it wasn't too low since my rear end is 5.54 gear ratio. He said not if I plan to off road.

(I have the 4.3 v6 engine and the automatic th700r4 Transmission .. I will primarily use the jeep as a daily driver---)

I asked if he'd just sell the disc brake assemblies. He said he would, but for only fifty dollars less. :/

Should I buy the entire axle and take the disc brakes off and sell the axle? Or should I pass?

Thanks!

 

[HackFabrication]

Re: Upgrading front drums to disc brakes should I also upgrade front axle to 4.10 gea

A guy on cl said he will sell his front Dana 30 with 4.10 gear ratio and disc brakes for $300. However, my rear end is a 3.54 gear ratio (more for DD)...Which seems too low for my higher rear gear ratio.

If you swapped in the seller's axle (assuming it's a narrow track), you'd need to change out your rear gears to 4.10 if you ever intended on used 4WD. The 4.10 ratio would work good with your setup if you went to 32-33 inch tires.

Another couple of options, assuming the seller's axle is a narrow track:

Swap in your ring and pinion.

Swap everything from the knuckles out onto your existing front axle. This works whether the seller's axle is NT or WT.

FWIW, I converted my 76 CJ5 from drums to disc using the WT axle from an 84 CJ7 . Swapped everything from the knuckles out.

There are a number of other ways to add disc brakes to the front, just depends on how much scrounging you want to do. And how much work you want to put into it.

 

[Dan77CJ7]

I'd pass and find and axle that fits your needs to the T, but I'm lucky I live 4 milesfrom jeeps unlimited, it would take me 45 min and I'd have a front axle in my drive way ready for paint...lol, If your in no hurry keep searching. And I swear I read a thread saying you can use power brakes ( maybe not with the YJ parts)with drums all Round I wanna say some came from the factory with said set-up but dont Quote me its passed noon and my sink is already filled with emties.....
Nothing better then reading cj threads working on the cj while drinking cj..( cold Jack).. Good luck.

 

[mtnwhlr]

I say go for it, you will have everything to change yours to disc for $300.

 

[76cj7chick]

I wasn't sure if the 4.10 would be good for a daily driver with an automatic tranny and 3.54 gears....(and I currently don't want to trade out the rear at this time.) So, I asked if he would consider $200 for just the complete disc brakes...So far I haven't heard from him. Perhaps a bad move on my part but I figure he could sell the axle for at least $100 by itself.

I have many other things I have to replace/buy and would rather not have things laying around. So, unless he contacts me, I may have to wait for another opportunity. :/ Or contact Oly4x4.

Thanks guys for your input!

 

[HackFabrication]

I wasn't sure if the 4.10 would be good for a daily driver with an automatic tranny and 3.54 gears....(and I currently don't want to trade out the rear at this time.)

Okay... I'm confused, or you're confused. You cannot run two different ratios front/rear when in 4WD (unless you are running different sized tires front/rear. I know mudders sometimes do, but that's a whole 'nother discussion.

4.10 ratio will work fine (if you are running a 31-33 inch tire). The Transmission you are running has a big Overdrive (I had it in my 2002 Blazer).

Your 76 used the adapter plate for the caliper mount. If the used Dana 30 is a later model it had a different knuckle. Which brings us back to swapping everything from the knuckle out. Which is a bit of work (trust me, I did it).

I'd walk away from this deal. Dana 30 's with disc brakes can be found a lot cheaper than $300. And for $200, I'd seriously consider just getting an aftermarket conversion kit and having all new 'stuff'. You're going to have to refurbish/replace a bunch of old junk with new stuff anyway. Do some more research on disc brake conversion. Your CJ is OEM, so why worry about OEM brakes up front?

Just my $.02...

 

[76cj7chick]

I'd prefer not to have to upgrade my tyres and rear axle so, I passed on the entire axle. I did offer to just buy the disc brakes for $200 but didn't hear back from him.

I have been busy with other things but will check with a few other places for disc parts from the knuckles forward... another person said If I managed to get used disc assemblies that I'd want new bearings, seals pads and rotors. So, I may end up going new. But I would need to save up for it.

Thanks guys for your suggestions and help. I am surprised that people want soooo much on used parts.