Wilwood d52 calipers on k30 dually

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Lu Blunt

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2016
Posts
187
Reaction score
122
Location
Rye, CO
First Name
Luke
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
K30
Engine Size
350ci
Had an issue with death wobble awhile back. Finally resolved with wheel bearings and resurfaced the rotors. Now 5k miles later the death wobble has returned and just like before only happens when braking. So I’m thinking maybe warped rotors again? gonna replace the rotors, calipers, pads n hoses. I wanted to upgrade the brakes but all the big brakes kits are srw only and require 17”+ wheels.

https://lugnut4x4.com/product/77-91-chevy-dana-60-disc-brake-kit/

This kit is for 3/4 ton brakes on the Dana 60. Most would use it to clear 15” wheels. I’m just looking for a brake upgrade. I know the kit works on drw and fits d52 wilwood calipers. Would I be better off staying with stock calipers n rotors ?
 

Craig 85

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2017
Posts
3,897
Reaction score
4,042
Location
Nashville, TN
First Name
Craig
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K30 SRW
Engine Size
454/TH-400/NP205
I pulled these numbers off Rockauto. It seems like you would be loosing by switching to the 3/4 ton equipment. The caliper pistons appear to be the same size.

1 Ton dual wheel
Brake Rotor Diameter, Outer (IN) 12.875
Brake Rotor Thickness, Nominal (IN) 1.535

Pad
Plate Height, Inner (IN) 2.580
Plate Height, Outer (IN) 2.760
Plate Length, Inner (IN) 7.200
Plate Length, Outer (IN) 8.120


3/4 Ton
Outside Diameter (in) 12.5
Nom Thk (in) 1.295

Pad
Plate Height, Inner (IN) 2.760
Plate Height, Outer (IN) 2.584
Plate Length, Inner (IN) 7.220
Plate Length, Outer (IN) 7.770
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
29,146
Reaction score
24,100
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
Personally, I'd stick with the stock stuff. The stock 1-ton calipers are pretty strong.
 

Nonstop

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 16, 2014
Posts
775
Reaction score
2,417
Location
Ca
First Name
Nick
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K2500
Engine Size
454
I would stick with the 1 ton stuff as well. Try new rotors and rotate your tires. I spent a lot of time checking into brake upgrades, and anything I found requires custom machining and such. For a while I was using dual piston C3500hd calipers, but I did not like the pedal travel (using c3500HD master) and it still had a lot. I eventually went back to the stock calipers and they seemed to work the best.

On a side note - I had the rear discs as well. I went back to drum. I did not realize how much I missed a parking brake (Caddy calipers do not hold).
 
Last edited:

shiftpro

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 31, 2012
Posts
4,855
Reaction score
6,086
Location
BC Canada
First Name
shiftpro
Truck Year
73-87
Truck Model
1500, 2500, 3500
Engine Size
350, 383, 454, 496!
You can run 3/4 ton brakes on the front of the one ton. Better modulation, just as strong and some 40 lbs gone.
 

Lu Blunt

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2016
Posts
187
Reaction score
122
Location
Rye, CO
First Name
Luke
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
K30
Engine Size
350ci
I ended up having the rear drums rebuilt with new shoes n seals. Cost $400 which considering the disc conversion is $300 plus labor, I think it was the cheaper solution. The disc conversion requires spacers and lugnut4x4 offered some free of charge but I prefer not use spacers. Truck stops 100% better. Still have alittle shake upfront I assume from the warped front rotors. I’m looking at ordering rotors n calipers from https://torqueking.com/category/1977-1991-gm-k3-dana-60-front-axle/

Twice the price of rockauto/1aauto but from what I understand they manufacture in house. Worth the money or no?
 

BBBURB

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 26, 2019
Posts
77
Reaction score
82
Location
Anaheim, CA
First Name
Zeke
Truck Year
1989
Truck Model
R2500 Suburban SLS
Engine Size
454 7.4L
Ive had the shakes up front and I solved the issue by bleeding the brakes. The dam brake fluid was water logged and it felt like warped brake rotors. Just a simple bleed and new juice did the trick. Brake fluid should be nice and clear like fresh water.
 

nvrenuf

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 30, 2010
Posts
1,736
Reaction score
1,979
Location
Mobile, Al.
First Name
John
Truck Year
1991
Truck Model
K5
Engine Size
454
Why wouldn't the Torq big brake kit work on a dually D60? The calipers and brackets are the same as an SRW and the only difference in the rotor is the hole sizes for bolts vs studs.
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
42,208
Posts
911,367
Members
33,713
Latest member
87R10_Cruising
Top