As the title states I'm trying to find out if I need new hubs for my car when I'm going from drum to disk. If it matters my car is an 83.

 

there is no "hub". the axle, which is the part you're probably thinking of is the same between drum and disc, except the GSL-SE.

the axle HOUSING is different between the drum and disc brake rears, the mounting for the brakes is the difference

 

So in order for this to work, even though I have the caliper brackets and such, I'm going to need to change the axle housings on my gs for the gsl brakes to mount and work properly?

 

you need this Brake Conversion Kits : 1979-1983, Basic Drum to Disk Conversion Kit.

 

Ah, I never noticed those before, all I ever say were the big brake kits they sell for the fc equipment. Thanks for this, I might just keep looking for a full gsl rear then and resell the brakes I just bought.

 

It's unfortunate that you're not closer, I have a beautiful condition Series 2 disk housing that I have absolutely no use for. You could probably find one locally cheaper than it'd cost to ship. It's exactly what you need, assuming you also have S2 disk backing plates, which are also what retain the bearings and of course are different from drum.

I also have a couple Series 1 housings, and a couple broken S3 disk housings... going to see if I can cut the bearing mount off of the S1 stuff and attach the S3 ones. S3 housings are supposed to be the weakest ones.

 

Got it, so based on that I really am over my head and should just raise some cash and wait for a good full gsl axle to become available. At least that means I have a shot at finding an 84-85 gsl rear so I can get the larger axles.

 

I went down to my local pick-a-part and removed an entire GSL rear-end with brakes and cables attached. The whole thing mated up under my '85 GS without a problem. Using my same old stock wheels. Still using the old GS proportioning valve though. I can lock up the rear brakes before the fronts, if I really try. Getting LSP diff is definately a worthwhile upgrade. Spinning just one wheel was kinda stupid.

Oh, and it cost me $80. I changed the flex lines to stainless, and put on new pads, and new rotors for a few bucks more.