• When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

Rear disc brake conversion

Doug Larsson

Doug Larsson

Well-Known Member
Local time
9:43 PM
Joined
Apr 18, 2016
Messages
426
Reaction score
414
I've got a 1973 Dodge Charger SE with a 8 1/4 in it is like to convert it to disc brakes I found this company. If any one has suggestions I'm opened to them.
Thank you

Screenshot_20180816-050919_Chrome.jpg
 
I've never heard of them. My suggestion is to talk to Cass at Doctor Diff. He has a good reputation on here, and I bought my front disc conversion parts from him and he was very helpful.
 
I went the SSBC route, never heard of leed. Good Luck
 
Nothing Jeep or Dakota based that will work? 8 1/4 rears have been around a long time. Mopar Action is actually doing a two-part rear disc article right now, using jeep parts adapted for the 8 3/4.
 
I'm sort of in Monclaire's corner on this one. If it were my car (which it isn't), I would at least consider finding an 8-3/4" rear end and do the rear disc conversion to it. They were a stock option. I had a 73 Charger 318 auto car that came factory with an 8-3/4". Do you NEED it with a 318/6cyl? No. Would it be a good idea for any future upgrades in performance? Yes.
 
I went with the SSBC front discs on my 70 Satty 318.They work great. Are you doing front and rears? That looks like a front kit. With a 318, it really doesn't pay to convert the rears also, so the 8 1/4 wouldn't be a factor.
 
SSBC has been on my 65 from back in 2002. Front and rear manual disc brakes.Work just fine and stops the Hemi with no problem. Did it need discs ? No. Did I want discs ? yes. Would I do it again ? Doubt it. But that's just me.
 
Montclaire said:
Nothing Jeep or Dakota based that will work? 8 1/4 rears have been around a long time. Mopar Action is actually doing a two-part rear disc article right now, using jeep parts adapted for the 8 3/4.
Click to expand...
I haven't even got that far into knowing newer vehicles would adapt to my car thanks for the heads up I'll check it out
 
NJRR said:
I went with the SSBC front discs on my 70 Satty 318.They work great. Are you doing front and rears? That looks like a front kit. With a 318, it really doesn't pay to convert the rears also, so the 8 1/4 wouldn't be a factor.
Click to expand...
I'd like to do both it has disc up front but they need to be rebuilt and I figured why not not go all in and do a complete new set up.
 
PurpleBeeper said:
I'm sort of in Monclaire's corner on this one. If it were my car (which it isn't), I would at least consider finding an 8-3/4" rear end and do the rear disc conversion to it. They were a stock option. I had a 73 Charger 318 auto car that came factory with an 8-3/4". Do you NEED it with a 318/6cyl? No. Would it be a good idea for any future upgrades in performance? Yes.
Click to expand...
I have and 8 3/4 sitting in the garage just haven't had the time to inspect it get some fab work done to the rear end to fit my car .
 
PurpleBeeper said:
I'm sort of in Monclaire's corner on this one. If it were my car (which it isn't), I would at least consider finding an 8-3/4" rear end and do the rear disc conversion to it.
Click to expand...

Well that is, and isn't, what I am suggesting. The article focuses on adapting Jeep Liberty rear brakes to an 8 3/4. So there is that route. But doesn't the Liberty use an 8 1/4? So it may actually be a bolt-on for the axle that is currently in the car.

Traditionally, I have not been a big rear disc fan but as Eberg says in the article, even the cheapest econoboxes out there have excellent braking these days. I personally would be open to swapping if it's a bolt on deal, but the Liberty rotors are like 12.4", which I am assuming won't clear with a 14" road wheel. That may or may not be a concern for you, IDK. It is for me.
 
Last edited:
Doug Larsson said:
I have and 8 3/4 sitting in the garage just haven't had the time to inspect it get some fab work done to the rear end to fit my car .
Click to expand...
If you have the correct 8-3/4" it's a bolt-in swap. Maybe take another peek at that rear end?
 
PurpleBeeper said:
If you have the correct 8-3/4" it's a bolt-in swap. Maybe take another peek at that rear end?
Click to expand...
No it's not I have to flip the perches and shortened it a tad it came out of a truck I think plus I'm not sure but the guy said it had a 3:23 open 742 case .Some idiot drilled a hole in the back of the case to drain the oil I gotta have my friend weld up the hole .
 
Montclaire said:
Well that is, and isn't, what I am suggesting. The article focuses on adapting Jeep Liberty rear brakes to an 8 3/4. So there is that route. But doesn't the Liberty use an 8 1/4? So it may actually be a bolt-on for the axle that is currently in the car.

Traditionally, I have not been a big rear disc fan but as Eberg says in the article, even the cheapest econoboxes out there have excellent braking these days. I personally would be open to swapping if it's a bolt on deal, but the Liberty rotors are like 12.4", which I am assuming won't clear with a 14" road wheel. That may or may not be a concern for you, IDK. It is for me.
Click to expand...
I'd like to go to Magnum 500 15" wheels so that might work out. One it comes to my 8 3/4 it takes some money to get it the way I want and right now it's not a priority the 8 1/4 works fine .
 
MoparAction magazine has been running an article for the last 2 months using the rear disc setup off of a Jeep Liberty for cheap, and it works.
 
If you elect to stay with drum brakes, you can install larger drums typically found in c-bodies, later b bodies, trucks and late 70 SUV'S. You need to use the back plate and all related hardware for the larger brake pads. My issue with disk brakes is the E-brake conversion. You also cannot use 14 inch rims. good luck.
 
The e-brake on the Mopar Jeep brakes are brake shoes inside the rotor, like about every other HD rear disc setup used today.
 
MoparLeo said:
The e-brake on the Mopar Jeep brakes are brake shoes inside the rotor, like about every other HD rear disc setup used today.
Click to expand...

I was not implying installing the e-brake was not an option. Per the Mopar Action October article you need to weld an adapter to the end of the stock cable. That's fine if you have a welder and can perform the required weld with out damaging the cable. T
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

F
Running tapered bearings with rear disc brakes
Replies
9
Views
616
451Mopar
451Mopar
Jack Parmentier
Proportioning Valve - can I make into a distribution block ?
Replies
13
Views
869
Jack Parmentier
Jack Parmentier
Kennith
Summit Racing Power Brake Conversion Kits SUM-760192
Replies
4
Views
1K
R/T Boy 67
R
6
8.25 27 spline rear disc conversion problem
Replies
4
Views
397
1STMP
1STMP
T
Disc conversion question
Replies
10
Views
2K
Sixpactogo
Sixpactogo
Auto Transport Service
Back
Top