Brake location on a 8.5 rear end

[gdouaire]

I bought a rebuilt 8.5" 3.73 locking diff a while back. It was part of an abandoned project. The guy had installed disk brake brackets on the front of the axle, really well done, the caliper and disk mount really well, looks A1. I have seen 98% of the projects I check online have the disk brake conversion set on the rear of the axle. Why, for fitment? I am a afraid the caliper may it the frame... I checked the part number, and the calipers are from a late 90s Camaro.

 

[gdouaire]

The 90s Camaro calipers that came with the rear end.

 

[ssn696]

Calipers on the front hit the frame as the suspension shifts up. The bolt-on LS1 Camaro backing plates can be swapped so the calipers end up at the 'back' of the axle. If this is a different disc setup that is welded on, you will have some re-engineering to do....

 

[ssn696]

How much of the original brake brackets remain? I wonder if you can cut and reweld the brackets.

 

[gdouaire]

How much of the original brake brackets remain? I wonder if you can cut and reweld the brackets.

The old brackets will be difficult to salvage. I'll just use the current brackets as a template to fabricate new ones, and weld them at 180 degrees

 

[gdouaire]

Calipers on the front hit the frame as the suspension shifts up. The bolt-on LS1 Camaro backing plates can be swapped so the calipers end up at the 'back' of the axle. If this is a different disc setup that is welded on, you will have some re-engineering to do....

Yeah, I have seen just one setup with the calipers located fore, and it looked tight...

 

[64nailhead]

You'll be fubar'd with the brackets in front. Plan on some fabrication or headaches - you choose.

 

[Steveshow]

I used the LS Camaro brackets, which mount the calipers to the rear, as I could see that there would be a space issue if I tried to mount the calipers toward the front. Are the brackets actually welded on? If not, you coul swap them side to side. If welded, you might be able to ge tthem off without ruining them, but I would rather sacrfice them than risk gouging into the axle tube with a torch, then as you mentioned, use them as a partial pattern after removal.