Converting to ABS Braking in a G body

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

I was thinking about this the other night. If you used the front spindles and rotors off a B/D body Caprice/Roadmaster/Fleetwood from the 90's with ABS, could you use the rest of the braking system, sensors, etc. to convert a G body to ABS? It is probably a fairly primitive system, so it is probably just an add on harness that does not interface with the engine management system. Does anyone have a factory manual for one of these cars who can look it up for me?

 

[STLRegal]

g-bodies didnt have ABS? Learn something new everyday.

 

[megaladon6]

why?? just learn how to drive right. J/K (sort of) besides it's not like you have ice to contend with. plus you can easily retrofit an ABS module, pump, accumutator, distribution block, rear sensors, etc, but the problem is that you have to program the module for the car. and the parameters are extremely strict and specific.
i've driven on some really bad roads and never wanted abs. usually i'm thankfull that i DON'T have it. i can control the car better than the computer (this is why audi and bmw allow you to turn it and other systems off)

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

I can drive right, but I am curious as to how to go about the retrofit as it would work with the rudimentary traction control idea I am playing around with in my head. The only car with ABS I have ever had is my truck, and it's rear wheel only. I feel it pulsing all the time as it tries to keep up with my threshold braking as I approach corners. Believe me, I am borderline terrifying to be in a car with. Besides, I kind of want to build a "modern" G body with all of the luxuries and systems you would have in a newer BMW. I just need to learn a lot more about electronics than I know now, and how to program the systems to function in concert with the other technologies I have envisioned for the car.

(Other ideas include an adjustable height suspension with dual spring rates using standard springs and hydraulics ( Essentially uses a cantilever and a ram), rear transaxle with IRS, relocating the gas tank, structural reinforcement, rack and pinion steering, etc.)

 

[Lawfree]

If you convert to the S10 Blazer Extreme DP caliper/steering knuckle/rotor/hub assy, they come with the ABS sensor built in(the speed sensor ring is built into the divorced hub). That way you get killer front brakes and it is a direct swap for any "G" body. I'm doing the conversion now to my 80" Cutlass Calais and will POST pix when complete. BTW, S10 warehouse has another set on ebay. I wont be using the ABS, but I wouldn't just cut off those sensor cables as they are worth some $. Even if you got all the connectors, sensors,computer etc etc from a newer donor vehicle, and assuming the will fit physically the whole PKG. will be engineered for that specific vehicle for weight, tire wheel size etc. I kind of looked into it already.
Any Documentation is hard to find and if you have to buy any OEM stuff it costs a fortune. I know it's off topic a little, but I converted to OEM GM Bendix Hydroboost off an 80's Regal. Aside from the Turbo Buicks that had the lame electric brakes, any of the "stinky" Diesels will have the Bendix brakes. Gives you lots more room for headers/tall VC's etc; you can run a RAD CAM and not worry about loss of vacuum. Also gives you a lot more "push" for the stock binders. Make sure you get everything from the pump to the brake pedal and pin, they are diff, but bolt up as factory.

 

[andrewmp6]

Yeah i asked my step dad about this hes a 30 year mechanic.He said basiclly the s10/blazer/sonoma/jimmy/bravo whole abs system should fit with a little work.Id find one thats getting parted out or a good cheap junkyard and hope all of the system is in working order.

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

I am running the B body spindles, but I checked, and the newer ones (91-96) have the ABS sensors built in. I just wonder if I could build a new module for it if I adapted the pump, etc from another vehicle or vehicles.