Dana 60 drum to disc conversion

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Les Gibson

Les Gibson

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Planning on swapping over from drum brakes to disc brakes on the dana 60 in my Dart as a winter project. I do know that it has Strange axles and spool in it. I've looked at what Wilwood, Strange, Baer and others have to offer for conversion kits, but the more I look the more confused I get. It looks like a simple enough swap, but I've never done it and would like to know what those with more experience than I think is the best course of action.
Also I have OEM front disc brakes on the car, would it be of any real benefit to swap them out for an aftermarket set up?
Thanks in advance.
 
Strange has a black Friday sale goings-on

Front are alot lighter and don't drag like the stock ones.

On the rear, it is a simple swap I am guessing you have dana 60 drums and backing plates. So you will have the correct offset.
 
Dr. Diff sells kits. I wouldn’t buy a read disc brake kit that didn’t have provisions for an emergency brake that takes OE components to hook it up unless it’s a drag car.
 
If you would let us know on here how it turns out and which kit you used. I’m building a Dana 60 for my 68 Barracuda.
 
SGBARRACUDA said:
If you would let us know on here how it turns out and which kit you used. I’m building a Dana 60 for my 68 Barracuda.
Click to expand...
I have made my own kits on two of my vehicles,one with a 8 3/4 and one with a s60.If you check on the best price you can do it under $200.
I used:
Jegs or speedway brackets that you weld on the axle tube.
Gm metric calibers from summit # pwr-l4071 and pwr-l4072.
Front jeep Cherokee rotors(not grand Cherokee)from the 90's .I think I bought these from rock auto the cheapest.
You'll need the banjo bolt and the rubber brake lines I believe I used from a 70's Malibu.
 
70aarcuda said:
Strange has a black Friday sale goings-on

Front are alot lighter and don't drag like the stock ones.

On the rear, it is a simple swap I am guessing you have dana 60 drums and backing plates. So you will have the correct offset.
Click to expand...
Yes, that's one thing that I noticed right away about those stock front brakes, the drag. I do have the dana drums and backing plates
 
yellow rose said:
Dr. Diff sells kits. I wouldn’t buy a read disc brake kit that didn’t have provisions for an emergency brake that takes OE components to hook it up unless it’s a drag car.
Click to expand...
It's a drag only car, so no need for a emergency brake set up. I'll check out Dr. Diff.
 
I have 4 bracket cars....and all 4 have strange brakes on them.....the last one I actually weighted the stock front brakes and rear drums ....I will post later how much weight I saved...

I can really feel the difference once you clear the traps....the car would start to slow down caused by the drag of the brakes....now...you need to get your foot on the brakes...lol

and pushing the car...rolls alot easier....

Good luck...
 
I just ordered the strange rear brakes for my Colt. Drag car no emergency brake.
I have Olds ends so you order the kit they list based on you axle ends.
It helps to have a paper catalog which they sent me.
Since yours is all Mopar it should be easy.
And right now there is a sale and FREE Shipping.
 
I have wilwood dynalite kit on my car. Easy bolt on but requires green bearings with a snap ring, (mo400 I think). Being that is stock mopar stuff should be 2.36 offset.
 
Yes, have to make sure the offset is correct. I got Wilwoods for the Dana 60 rear of my car, with Strange axles. The rotor wasn't centered between the caliper. Had to make spacers to pull the axles out to center the rotor
 
Doctor Diff should have everything you need.
DSC_2949 (Large).JPG
 
Les Gibson said:
Planning on swapping over from drum brakes to disc brakes on the dana 60 in my Dart as a winter project. I do know that it has Strange axles and spool in it. I've looked at what Wilwood, Strange, Baer and others have to offer for conversion kits, but the more I look the more confused I get. It looks like a simple enough swap, but I've never done it and would like to know what those with more experience than I think is the best course of action.
Also I have OEM front disc brakes on the car, would it be of any real benefit to swap them out for an aftermarket set up?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Just saw this thread and I too just ordered a strange s60.
Regarding the brakes, couple things I found out is that the wilwood
Rear drag kit for mopar, the hat thickness of the rotor is .500 thick.
Since I am replacing an 8 3/4 with factory drum brakes, I wanted the same installed width as previous. If you use the wilwood you have to account for that 1/2 hat thickness in your measurements.
Also my 8 3/4 was narrowed by me and I reused the original housing ends with both the green bearings and the factory inner oil seal still works with a strange 35 spline axle. I did not like the housing ends that most axle companies use as they rely on the bearing "O" ring to seal and some people have trouble with leakage.
Moser housing ends use both the inner and the "O" ring seal like stock. I prefer these ends. FYI
 
73smallblock said:
I have wilwood dynalite kit on my car. Easy bolt on but requires green bearings with a snap ring, (mo400 I think). Being that is stock mopar stuff should be 2.36 offset.
Click to expand...
Wilwood has two different kits depending on which green bearing you are using.
 
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