Is this crazy talk?

[One_fast67]

First, some preliminary information: I am swapping out my 8" rear end for a 9". I have my center section already. I still need a new housing and axle set because I have a center section requiring 31 splines and I am toying with the idea of narrowing the rear end to fit some extra wide tires in the rear. I also already have a rear Baer disc brake kit.

The Scenario: I am not terribly happy with how the mounting brackets line up the calipers relative to where the brake lines enter the caliper or where the emergency brake cables attach to the calipers. There are a few different mounting options with the brackets I have but it seems that when I find a position that will allow the brake lines to mount properly, the emergency brake mechanisms are too close to the leaf springs. If I get the emergency brake mechanisms in the proper position, then the brake lines are too close to the leaf springs for my taste.

Now for the crazy talk: Since I am in need of a new housing and axle set, I can have one made up with the housing ends clocked to allow a suitable location for both the brake lines and the emergency brake mechanism. Since I am going with disc brakes, I don't need to worry about the fact that the drum brake backing plates would be rotated out of the normal position. I can't think of any reasons why this wouldn't work.

Anyone care to chime in on this?

 

[scedd]

Be careful where your bleed screws end up or you wont get all the air out of the system

 

[RyanG85]

Be careful where your bleed screws end up or you wont get all the air out of the system

Who said the calipers had to be bolted down during bleeding? As long as the bleeder is up during bleeding, you can mount them any way after that....

 

[Anonymous]

Have you thought about an 8.8? I've kinda made the switch on my junkers due to the cost.

 

[One_fast67]

Have you thought about an 8.8? I've kinda made the switch on my junkers due to the cost.

I certainly have thought about it but I already have the center section AND the brake kit for a 9". I can get a new housing and axle package for less than $700 and be done. I suppose I could sell the center section and the brake kit to make up the cost of going to an 8.8".

 

[daveSanborn]

then the brake lines are too close to the leaf springs for my taste.

This is "crazy talk". Your calipers are fixed to the end of the axle housing. Your leaf springs are fixed to the axle tubes. Using 3/16ths brake line, any amount of clearance greater than 3/8ths of an inch is a waste of space. It's not like anything is going to be flopping around back there....