05 rearend and brake upgrades
Dec 5, 2017 | 08:29 AM
#1
05 rearend and brake upgrades
I have an 05 GMC Sierra CC 2wd. Typical setup with 5.3/4L60E/3.23 gears with the G80 Junk-Loc.
1st question: For the stock 8.5, what LSD or locker do you guys prefer? I've had great service out of my Eaton LSD in my 68, but I've wanted to try the Detroit Tru-Trac. Thoughts and opinions, please. This is a daily driver and may eventually get a mild tune, but it'll never be anything too wild for the 8.5. I'll also probably change to a 3.73 gear also.
2nd question: GM engineers, in all their infinite wisdom, decided to step back 60 years and reinstall drum brakes on the rear and they SUUUCK!!!! They eat shoes like crazy and the drums constantly warp and cause jumpy braking. What exactly would I need to convert to rear discs? Would I be able to get off-the-shelf parts? What about biasing the rear brake pressure?
1st question: For the stock 8.5, what LSD or locker do you guys prefer? I've had great service out of my Eaton LSD in my 68, but I've wanted to try the Detroit Tru-Trac. Thoughts and opinions, please. This is a daily driver and may eventually get a mild tune, but it'll never be anything too wild for the 8.5. I'll also probably change to a 3.73 gear also.
2nd question: GM engineers, in all their infinite wisdom, decided to step back 60 years and reinstall drum brakes on the rear and they SUUUCK!!!! They eat shoes like crazy and the drums constantly warp and cause jumpy braking. What exactly would I need to convert to rear discs? Would I be able to get off-the-shelf parts? What about biasing the rear brake pressure?
Dec 5, 2017 | 11:35 AM
#2
Either rear end upgrade would work fine. Tons of threads out there on what people have used. I don't see why the Tru-Trac wouldn't work for you.
Rear brake conversion is pretty simple if you have the right parts. Remove all the drum brake parts and backing plates. Purchase new backing plates, calipers, brackets, rotors/pads for a suburban. You will need to run new hard lines on the axle and use the brake hoses for the suburban. Don't quote me here but I think 17's are required for suburban brakes to clear the calipers.
I think drum brakes work great but that's just me, got over 107,000 miles on my stock drums with like half the life left still.
Rear brake conversion is pretty simple if you have the right parts. Remove all the drum brake parts and backing plates. Purchase new backing plates, calipers, brackets, rotors/pads for a suburban. You will need to run new hard lines on the axle and use the brake hoses for the suburban. Don't quote me here but I think 17's are required for suburban brakes to clear the calipers.
I think drum brakes work great but that's just me, got over 107,000 miles on my stock drums with like half the life left still.
Last edited by FFDP; Dec 5, 2017 at 11:47 AM.
Dec 5, 2017 | 01:45 PM
#4
I'll check with my local NAPA for the parts. I'm really not sure what's going on with my rear brakes. Sometimes they work fine and smooth, but other times they shutter and pulsate like the drum is warped. I'm also having to replace the shoes and drums about every 18 months.
My truck has factory 17's, but I may be upgrading to 20's soon. I'd like to do a 2/4 drop in the future also.
My truck has factory 17's, but I may be upgrading to 20's soon. I'd like to do a 2/4 drop in the future also.
