4 wheel disc brake conversion and differential change out

[samthecarman]

i have a 1997 silverado Z71 extended cab, and since it is now paid off, i was thinking about doing a conversion to 4 wheel disc brakes. does anyone out there have any good links to kits that have done them well ? any help would be greatly appericated. i was also thinking about putting new differentials in the front and rear differentials. I want to add a bit more functionality to my truck for mild to moderate off-road but I do not want to go to a full locking diff. and I was looking at power trax or turetrac differential, anyone have expierence with either of these ? I am leaning toward truetrac, becasue they don't have clutch packs or cones (all gears, see link below), thanks for the input.


http://www.jawsgear.net/store/catalog/posi.php?cPath=31 (detroit Truetrac posi traction)

Sam

[JaVeRo]

I have been looking at the Truetrac myself. If you go this route you will have to set up your differential (adjust it with shims to get the right pattern of the pinion gear on the ring gear). It is made by Tractech, the same company that makes the detroit locker which has a good reputation. If I get one I will probably have someone install it.

The two I have seen from powertrax will fit in your existing carrier so there shouldn't be any adjustments to make. Tractech also makes one that fits in the existing carrier called the E-Z Locker. All of these are automatic lockers and tend to bump and clang when cornering on hard pavement. They may be getting better but the older automatic lockers did this. It's not hurting anything, just something to get use to.

I can't help you on the brakes but there should be kits available to change it over to 4 wheel disc.

James

[LT-Z71drvr]

I aint no expert, but wouldnt putting disc brakes of any kind on there screw up the abs?? I was also thinking of doing this to my truck and someone told me it wouldnt work it will screw up the abs.

[cbongo247]

not sure about the conversion setup for your truck but im sure you could find something online. I dont see it being a problem with your abs, ususally the abs is only on the front brake system, on your truck, the newer chevys have them on the rear though. as for you new ring and pinion sets for you truck, it depends. find out if your truck has the 3.42 ratio, a 3.55, or 3.73. the 42 and 73 are mostly common on half tons. but unless you are planning on running larger tires, (larger than 285s) i would reccomend keeping what you have. I have run the 3.42 with 285s and that was great. if you cant spinn them fast enought, put it in 4low. also run 3.73 ratio with 285s, and hated it. actually felt doggy and slow along with bad milage. i now have 4.11 with 37s and love that. its actually back to the stock ratio if you figure the tire size and all.
for your added traction idea, i would go with auburn gears pro unit. (there are two, high performance and the pro series) the pro series is about 450$, its more pricey. i have nearly 45 thousand on mine and no problems at all. Just make sure you put posi additive in it when you change the fluid. and have a professional set the whole thing up. leave your front diff with the stock open differential though. if you have any more q's let me know, im not on much but i will get back to you when i have time.