Changing out to rear discs? PLEASE HELP!

[SPL Tech]

I have a 94' ZJ with the D35 axle. The junk yard has a 95" ZJ with the D44 axle with rear disc's. I am thinking of putting the discs on my D35 in the back. But I have two questions.
1. Is this possible? Can I simply swap the discs and rotors from the 44 to my 35 without welding and changing the master cylinder and such?

2. Will I notice a difference in stopping?

Here is the deal. All those little springs and cables in the drum brakes on both sides in my Jeep are so rusted that the self adjusters are not working. It would cost me about $100 to replace them and get things working again. I can get some used disc brakes and all the mounting hardware off of a Dana 44 ZJ from the junk yard for the same price. That is why I am wondering if I could just fix the drums or go with discs. From what I thought discs were best. Isn’t that why you ALWAYS see 4 wheel discs on faster sports cars and new SUV's and Trucks? I do go off road sometimes but only a couple times a year so not very frequently. I do tow a 2,000 lbs trailer 24/7. So yes or no with the discs? They cost the same as repairing the drums. Also would it be possible to use the front discs off a D44 ZJ on the back of my D35 ZJ? Because the front has larger pads and rotors.

[dksob81]

Originally Posted by SPL Tech

I have a 94' ZJ with the D35 axle. The junk yard has a 95" ZJ with the D44 axle with rear disc's. I am thinking of putting the discs on my D35 in the back. But I have two questions.
1. Is this possible? Can I simply swap the discs and rotors from the 44 to my 35 without welding and changing the master cylinder and such?

2. Will I notice a difference in stopping?

Here is the deal. All those little springs and cables in the drum brakes on both sides in my Jeep are so rusted that the self adjusters are not working. It would cost me about $100 to replace them and get things working again. I can get some used disc brakes and all the mounting hardware off of a Dana 44 ZJ from the junk yard for the same price. That is why I am wondering if I could just fix the drums or go with discs. From what I thought discs were best. Isn’t that why you ALWAYS see 4 wheel discs on faster sports cars and new SUV's and Trucks? I do go off road sometimes but only a couple times a year so not very frequently. I do tow a 2,000 lbs trailer 24/7. So yes or no with the discs? They cost the same as repairing the drums. Also would it be possible to use the front discs off a D44 ZJ on the back of my D35 ZJ? Because the front has larger pads and rotors.

Now I wouldn't put the bigger disc on the back, but you could easily swap out the drums for disc shouldn't have to much of a problem, just be sure you get the proportioning valve off the rear axle and the rubber hose, calipers, caliper bracket, backing plate, and rotors (you may want to purchase new rotors or have them resurfaced) - I think that might be all.

Discs are deffinately the way to go, better braking and alot easier to replace.

Hope all goes well, keep us updated.

Joe

[SPL Tech]

Originally Posted by dksob81

Now I wouldn't put the bigger disc on the back, but you could easily swap out the drums for disc shouldn't have to much of a problem, just be sure you get the proportioning valve off the rear axle and the rubber hose, calipers, caliper bracket, backing plate, and rotors (you may want to purchase new rotors or have them resurfaced) - I think that might be all.

Discs are deffinately the way to go, better braking and alot easier to replace.

Hope all goes well, keep us updated.

Joe

I thought the proportioning valve was part of the master cylinder? Isn’t the proportion for the drums the same as the one for the discs? That is 60/40%? Where is this valve?

[dksob81]

Originally Posted by SPL Tech

I thought the proportioning valve was part of the master cylinder? Isn’t the proportion for the drums the same as the one for the discs? That is 60/40%? Where is this valve?

not the proportioning valve. the conjunction block at the axle and rubber lines. I am not sure if the proportioning valve is the same because discs brakes are better so the power to the rear discs might be less then on drums.