OK, im buying a rear end from someone and he is giving me the following with it.

"There are Backing plates(mounting plates) for the 88and older steel calipers,i also have a set of Heavy Duty backing plates for 89 and newer Alum calipers "

I will be the first to tell you that i know very little about brakes, what exactly is all this stuff and what else will i need to make the switch from my current drums to the discs? I'll be switching the whole rear at the same time if that makes a difference.

-chuck

First off, you will want the '89-up backing plates and newer PBR calipers for the brakes. Ditch the '88 backing plates or sell them. To get them off, you'll have to pull the axles. On a 9 bolt, it's not that bad since there's no retaining pin and C clips that hold them in place in the carrier...they just unbolt and pull right out. Just don't turn the pinion while the axles are out or you'll hae problems getting them back in.

As far as the brakes go here's what you'll need to finish out the PBR setup:

'90-92 hard axle brake lines;
3 pc flex lines for the center brake line (attaches to the body brake line) and the 2 for each caliper. Just buy Earl's braided line set 28A190 and you'll be all set;
new E-brake cables for '89-92 cars, GM P/N 10164125 but it may have been discontinued, check parts stores;
'89-92 rear disc rotors;
1LE prop valve, your master cylinder is fine.

More info here:

http://www.ws6transam.org/1LEbrake.html#1LErear

That's it.

Ed

can i put my drum breaks on this rear without buying new parts? i'm a little hard up for money right now.

-chuck

Drum rears use a totally different flange design so it's more work than what it's worth to install them. I have a drum rear here that you're welcome to have all the brake parts of if you want them, cables and all...I'll trade for some of your parts if you'd like.


Ed

well, i'd like to be able to switch to discs sometime in the future, but as of right now funds are just really tight. I cant afford to drop money on rotors, calipers, pads, valves, etc. I have drum breaks on my car right now so I guess can I install the flange off of my stock rear onto the new rear so that my drums will fit on? basically what do i need and how much is it to switch from the discs to drums? (how often is that asked ?)

Is that flange basically the same thing as the backing plates? how is it held to the axel?

-chuck

bump...

Oh, and I'm going from a 10 bolt to a 9 bolt, will the drums still fit?

-chuck

Not really..backing plates are totally different. First off, drum and disc rears have different flanges. Here's the last thread on a disc to drum swap, maybe you can find more info in there:

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...iscs+AND+drums

Also check in the drum to disc swap tech article on the homepage so you can see what they both look like:

https://www.thirdgen.org/newdesign/t...reardisc.shtml

IMO, you'll spend just as much time and money getting the drums fitted up to a disc rear as you'd end up spending in money just getting the right parts for the disc brakes.

Good luck!

Ed

thanks thats what i needed to know.

-chuck