Due to an issue with my right rear brake that I could never figure out. It was self adjusting and would eventually lock up. I figured the best solution would be to just ditch the drum brakes and get me some of those fancy disk brakes. I started looking into what it would take to get it done on my Dana 70 and it seems that there are not good kits available and very limited options for an e-brake. I have the Eldorado calipers on the back of my Jeep and they are giving me problems so I really don't want to go that route.
What other option is there you ask? Well, how about swapping in a complete axle with factory disk brakes? The only options here are the Ford Sterling 10.5 axle and the AAM found in Dodges and Chevys. The sterling is a great axle, I have one already that is going under the Jeep, but would require the hubs and rotors to be redrilled for the correct lug pattern. A better option is the 99-07 Chevy AAM 11.5 full float axle out of a 1 ton truck. Well, the only one I could find locally was a semi float out of a 3/4 ton and all the brakes components were gone. The guy wanted $525 for it too. A little more research and searching the on line sales places led me to a complete 03 Dodge AAM 11.5 out of a single wheel Cummins powered truck for $300. It has the same 72" WMS as my Dana 70, the correct lug pattern, the same 3.73 gear ratio, and a limited slip. Now I need to cut off the leaf spring pads and shock mounts and build some new ones to work with my truck. I am going to build the leaf spring pads with 1" of lift since I am going to lift the front a couple inches.
