Conversion of Dana 44 axels to diskbrakes

[FotoValpen]

I am doing a total renovation of my '69 Volvo Laplander.
http://www.soost.com/valpen/Fotovalpen_2.0/Home.html

The truck has Dana 44 axels with drum brakes and 16" rims. What I want to do now is convert to disk brakes and I wonder if anyone here has any experience or suggestions. Any companies selling complete conversion kits?

From the forums here in Sweden there seems to be no simple answer...

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

I used Nissan Pathfinder rear disk and calipers. I fabbed up a simple bracket that the caliper bolted to and welded the bracket to the axle tube. The set is allowed me to use 15" rims.

 

[Desert Dan]

Nice Volvo!

Are your axles portal axles? Also what is your axle track/width?

I couldn't tell from your photos.

In know there are conversion kits for Jeeps with Dana 44's. Currie and Dyna trac might have the parts you need. You might want to upgrade your master cylinder while you do the discs.

Even putting disc on the front would be a big help.

Maybe you could find some complete Dana 44's with the disc brakes that you could swap in? In the US people use full size Jeep or Scout axles

 

[FotoValpen]

Phil:

Do you happen to have any pics or even CAD drawings?

So you used the rear disk and calipers in the front to then? Even braking power front and back?

 

[Desolation]

This should not be that difficult.
However the first thing you need is a disk rotor preferably one that just bolts on.
Not having any familiarity with your cool truck, I can only ask for the wheel bolt pattern information and pictures of the axles preferably with the wheel off.

 

[Desert Dan]

Here is one kit

Dana 44 Disc Brake Conversion Kit D44

http://completeoffroad.com/i-132909-dana-44-disc-brake-conversion-kit-d44.html


Click on image to zoom.Dana 44 Disc Brake Conversion Kit D44
This is a Disc Brake Conversion using Chevy 1/2 ton sliding calipers.
Can be used on Ford and Jeep Dana 44 axles.
Minimum 15" steel wheel recommended.
Some 15" aluminum wheels may require light grinding of the calipers and/or wheels.
(2) SPINDLES
(2) HUBS
(2) ROTORS
FRONT BRAKE PADS
(1) RH Caliper
(1) LH Caliper
(2) Hoses
(2) Banjo Bolts
Mounting hardware/hard line not included Master cylinder not included.
Ford stub axles may be re-used but it is suggested to use the GM 9.94" YAW38815 to retain the use of the outer locking hub snap ring.
Choose the brake back plates below that you would like with your kit.
Price: $519.00

 

[FotoValpen]

Nice Volvo!

Are your axles portal axles? Also what is your axle track/width?

I couldn't tell from your photos.

In know there are conversion kits for Jeeps with Dana 44's. Currie and Dyna trac might have the parts you need. You might want to upgrade your master cylinder while you do the discs.

Even putting disc on the front would be a big help.

Maybe you could find some complete Dana 44's with the disc brakes that you could swap in? In the US people use full size Jeep or Scout axles

Thanks! It is a very capable truck. I get most places with ease and even more so now with the PTO driven trailer I got a hold of. (Search YouTube for "fotovalpen")

The trucks width is 5'6" if that helps. I can measure the axels tomorrow. They are not portals. The portal axels came on the next model truck, the TGB11 also known as C303.

Cylinder? What's that!? :REExeSquatsHL1: It had one from the beginning but it was tired so I removed it. No power steering either. But that will change when I add a steering servo from a Volvo 142.

Thought about swapping axels. But tha would be too easy. :ylsmoke:

 

[FotoValpen]

This should not be that difficult.
However the first thing you need is a disk rotor preferably one that just bolts on.
Not having any familiarity with your cool truck, I can only ask for the wheel bolt pattern information and pictures of the axles preferably with the wheel off.

I will have to check the pattern. I am not sure off the top of my head. I do know that the disk rotors from a Lada Niva can be used.

 

[FotoValpen]

Thanks Dan. But aren't the sliding calipers larger than normal ones and are they not more likely to failing when driving through deep nasty mud pits?

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Phil:

Do you happen to have any pics or even CAD drawings?

So you used the rear disk and calipers in the front to then? Even braking power front and back?

Cad drawings, no its a simple set up. The Dana 44 is on the rear of my 60 series and the front is OEM Toyota. As for my braking bias I got lucky and I use no proportioning valve. I will shoot a couple pictures tomorrow to post up. The disk slide over the the hats of the axles. One could then bolt the disk to the axle hat but I just let the wheel bolt on to hold everything together. I have ran the set up for about 10 years and a ton of miles with never an issue.

 

[FotoValpen]

Are there different types of Dana 44s? Found another place that mentioned Dana 44A.
http://www.quadratec.com/products/product_search.php?cn=Brake+Conversion+Kits&c=161

http://www.teraflex.biz/products/rear-disc-brake-kit-jeep-late-model-bearing-pocket.html

 

[Desolation]

Are there different types of Dana 44s? Found another place that mentioned Dana 44A.
http://www.quadratec.com/products/product_search.php?cn=Brake+Conversion+Kits&c=161

http://www.teraflex.biz/products/rear-disc-brake-kit-jeep-late-model-bearing-pocket.html

Yes there are differences. The main two are the bolt pattern for the wheel lug studs or bolts and the size and location of the flange that the drum brake backing plate bolts to.

This is the reason that I started with the Disk Rotor.
The offset between the mounting surface of the rotor and the Brake rotor center-line and the distance of that center-line and the Backing plate flange determining if the bracket that holds the caliper can be bolted on or if it must be welded on.
In the front it is a whole different game as you must clear the steering knuckle, steering arms and get it all to fit.
Here is a picture of typical front parts:
http://www.tomsbroncoparts.com/product.php?id=731
This page offers an ok description and pictures of converting a Ford 1/2T Ford.
http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~i6735189/discbrakeconversion.htm

I will advise that you choose your parts carefully. It would be a shame for you to build it with parts that you can not procure locally.
Your question about sliding calipers is a good one, the answer is yes and no.
The Ford/Bendix dovetail slide has a somewhat deserved reputation for sticking, where the GM pr pin type mounting rarely sticks. However, with routine preventative maintenance I have never had a problem in 30 years of running deep mud.

Hope some of this helps.

 

[Fish]

The early Ford Broncos ('70-'75) had drum brake Dana 44's that many have converted to disk using parts from a Chevy Dana 44. I did mine around 10 years ago, but I really don't remember a lot of the specifics other than that I bought the kit from Wild Horses. A more modern day search of Bronco related web sites will likely turn up a complete parts list and conversion scheme. However, that will likely be for a 5 x 5.5 (if memory serves) bolt pattern.

 

[Desolation]

However, that will likely be for a 5 x 5.5 (if memory serves) bolt pattern.

Correct.

 

[Eric S.]

Here is some links for Jeeps I supose it would be the some for your 44

http://www.madxj.com/MADXJ/technical...rDiscsOnXJ.htm
http://www.go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoRearDiscs1.htm
http://www.stu-offroad.com/suspension/d44brake/bc-1.htm