So I've been looking and reading a lot while deployed, and one thing that I've always disliked about my FB is the drum brakes in the rear. I have heard about swapping rearends and what not, but there just aren't a whole lot available in Idaho. So I was looking at conversion kits. But those are out too... They start around $1000 and only go up. Plus, on top of that, they don't even make any in 4x110mm...... So I was looking at and getting some dimensions from a kit and making my own. From what I see, it seems like I only need the mounting bracket for the caliper, the caliper and the rotor. Does anyone have any insight on this? In my head it is easy, but in practice it might kick my ***.

Thank you!

 

The Mazda calipers kinda suck and remans are not available from anyone anymore.

I built my Ford 9" for my '84 around Lucas calipers from a late 90s/early 00s VW. If you clock them down low, the Mazda cables will mate right up to them after you slot-cut the cable housing mount, and open up the cable end mount a little bit. As a bonus, they are aluminum, so a lot lighter.

I also have an '81 GS that someone converted to GSL rearend. I want to de-convert it back to drum brakes, because IMO they just work a hell of a lot better. When the axles slop in and out due to normal bearing flex, it won't cause pad knockback. And the handbrake will actually hold the car still (another advantage of the VW/Lucas calipers over the Mazda calipers)

 

So I'm not crazy in my thoughts. That's good to know! I'm not worried about running new brake lines. Honestly I am planning on a spring time replacement on them anyways.

 

I am going to figure out how to get larger rotors on the back and run some sort of gm metric or honda caliper.

 

Here is a link to mhr650's (aka Mark's) comments on rear brakes that he designed and uses based on the drum brake rear end. I have done similar for disc brake rear end.

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generati...1085895/page2/

 

Why not calipers that work?

 

Like the Lucas ones? Ideally I would run wilwood 4 pistons