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Technical Chevy rear end with disc brakes

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by 1955 F-100 guy, Jun 22, 2020.

  1. 1955 F-100 guy
    Joined: Jul 15, 2010
    Posts: 502

    1955 F-100 guy
    Member
    from NE Pa

    What Chevy rear has disc brakes and measures 61" face to face-- Thanks
     
  2. 1pickup
    Joined: Feb 20, 2011
    Posts: 1,437

    1pickup
    Member

    these are a little over @ 61.65"
    '91-'96 Impala / Caprice (not SS or Wagon), Buick & Fleetwood
    according to impalassforum
     
  3. Budget36
    Joined: Nov 29, 2014
    Posts: 13,174

    Budget36
    Member

    Weren't 2nd generation F-bodies about 61 WMS to WMS?
     
  4. fastcar1953
    Joined: Oct 23, 2009
    Posts: 3,567

    fastcar1953
    Member

    yes
     

  5. Bandit Billy
    Joined: Sep 16, 2014
    Posts: 12,287

    Bandit Billy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    upload_2020-6-22_22-37-16.png

    A 69 Camaro was 60" but I doubt you are going to find a JL8 option rear axle lying around. We used to mini tub the 2nd gens, inboard the shocks and use a 1st gen rear end to fit more tire under the car. Poor mans narrowing job.
     
    lothiandon1940 and Budget36 like this.
  6. 41rodderz
    Joined: Sep 27, 2010
    Posts: 6,540

    41rodderz
    Member
    from Oregon

    I have three Camaro rear ends .1968 Camaro 12 bolt , 1969 Camaro and a 1976 Camaro . I must be getting dody because i thought my '76 rear was 61" . I will have to go remeasure but the chart above is wrong . Maybe a case of brain fade but isn't a Chevelle rear wider(68/72) ?
     
  7. studebaker46
    Joined: Nov 14, 2007
    Posts: 715

    studebaker46
    Member

    I want somebody to explain why you need rear disc in an old car. it is a lot of work to do with little added benefit, in some cases you might wind up with worse braking. most modern rear disc are designed to be used with antilock brakes. without the computer and electronics they hard to dial in just my honest opinion. Tom
     
  8. I agree 110%. Since the front of the car does most of the braking, little is to be gained with rear discs. And like Tom stated, factory cars with rear discs are designed for it all to work as a system by a computer. I believe that people who do not fully understand complex systems will give it a try and struggle to figure it out, cut and try various patches to force it to work.
     
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  9. Ericnova72
    Joined: May 1, 2007
    Posts: 595

    Ericnova72
    Member
    from Michigan

    '68-72 Chevelle 8.2" 10-bolt and the '70-81 Camaro 8.5" 10-bolt are the same width, and take the same replacement axle shafts.
    Chart is wrong in listing them as 62.5" wide, they are 61"....the WS6 Trans Am 8.5" from '76-79 will be wider with disc brakes due to hat thickness
    '68-72 Chevelle is only wider than the '67-69 Camaro.
    '64-67 Chevelle, '67-69 Camaro, and '68-79 Nova are all the same width, all three of these chassis with 10-bolt rears take the exact same replacement axle shafts, so width has to be the same...chart is off by .25" and .50" in various places.
     
  10. Blade58
    Joined: Mar 5, 2012
    Posts: 363

    Blade58
    Member
    from apopka ,Fl

    I think 2002 4 X 4 S-10 Blazer might be your ticket Disc brakes, Posi , 3:37 gears ,might want to re check, 2 X 2 is narrower
     
  11. jimmy six
    Joined: Mar 21, 2006
    Posts: 14,802

    jimmy six
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I agree with no discs on the rear. I installed an 8.8 Ford/Jeep/etc in a 50’s Ford an had 11” F-150 drums installed. E-brake was breeze and works perfect with a disc front.
    I was taught the KISS method and try to stick with it if I can.
     
    bobss396, 41rodderz and Blues4U like this.
  12. Blues4U
    Joined: Oct 1, 2015
    Posts: 7,589

    Blues4U
    Member
    from So Cal

    Agreed. Disc brakes are more about control and feel than they are about absolute power, and both features are critical on the rear axle. A very common occurrence with drums on the back, especially self actuating, is the weight shift to the front of the vehicle under hard braking lightens the rear end, and the rear drums lock causing the wheels to slide, the worst thing to happen when trying to stop quickly and stay in control. Disc brakes are far superior in maintaining maximum braking force at the edge of locking up, allowing for shorter stops and improved control of the car under hard braking.
     
  13. The Caprice cop cars were about 61" and were disc brake. Think '80s era cars
     
  14. 1934coupe
    Joined: Feb 22, 2007
    Posts: 5,051

    1934coupe
    Member

    If you are looking at Chevy rears because of the 4-3/4" BC I don't think the Caprice will suit you, if I'm not mistaken it is a 5" BC

    Pat
     
  15. the '80s era cars should be 5 on 4.75. Let me check and make sure I am not giving out bad info here. You could very well be correct. ;)
     
  16. @1934coupe is correct that are 5x127 (metric) which calculates out to 5 on 5.
     
    jimmy six and 1934coupe like this.
  17. 41rodderz
    Joined: Sep 27, 2010
    Posts: 6,540

    41rodderz
    Member
    from Oregon

    Thank you much for clearing that up. :)
     
  18. 41rodderz
    Joined: Sep 27, 2010
    Posts: 6,540

    41rodderz
    Member
    from Oregon

    My 1948 F1 has 12” discs on front and a’68 Camaro 12 bolt rear with drums and I surmise that should be good enough.
     
    studebaker46 likes this.
  19. ididntdoit1960
    Joined: Dec 13, 2011
    Posts: 1,030

    ididntdoit1960
    Member
    from Western MA

    Some of us track our cars (think road course) and rear disk dont retain as much heat during repeated use.....agreed though - the average guy on here just cruises back roads or parks at a cruise night
     
  20. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 33,861

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    80's era full size Chevy and Olds could have either a 5 on 4-3/4 or 5 inch depending on the rest of the package on the car. Caprice cop cars had five on five because that gave them the big front brakes. Wife had an 89 Ex cop car for a while.
    Late 70;s Camaro/firebird are probably the simple to find choices.
    4 wheel drive S 10 is 59 according to the S-10 Board https://www.s10forum.com/threads/end-all-answer-to-s10-axle-widths.426783/ Looks like they have as many bullshit artists popping off as we do.

    From experience with the four late models out in the driveway right now three with 4 wheel disk and one with front disk. your stopping distance with 4 disk is a lot shorter and the rear brakes don't lock up near as quick casing you to loose control. Locked up brakes especially on a pickup aren't stopping power they are a slide looking for a place to happen. I've spun two long bed Chevy trucks out because the rear brakes locked up one with front drums.
     

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