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87 5 on 5.5 to 5 on 4.5 rotor conversion

D440

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Joined
Sep 27, 2017
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Location
Youngsville, NC
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I finally installed some 5 on 4.5 brake rotors on my 87 D150. I used a pair from an 84 B150 Dodge van. I was reading several threads on Facebook. A lot of misinformation on there. Several guys where saying that all you needed to do was get some early rotors. So I installed these on one side only. Found a good rim & tire & everything seemed to go well. Drove a very short distance at 35 mph. Felt good. No shimmy or wobble. No brake pull. Came back to the shop & checked the lugs still tight. So did I miss anything ? Anyone else done this conversion. I’ll do the other side if this is all ok
 
I am guessing the bearings are the same between the two rotors, sounds really promising
 
a direct swap , thats your good luck bob . i'm still making and getting parts to transform my orangy to disc fronts . just don't want to use gm calipers . or aftermarket ones if i can . the rotors are an easy swap from 75 76 ramcharger/trailduster and studs . so my search continues . telling ya those drum brakes don't like stopping it very much . this hotrod needs more wow , lol !
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The inner bearing is different.
whats up with it. I would love to do this on my 86. By the way how close are you to dirty myrtle beach. I live about 20-30 minutes west. In a little 2 light town called aynor
 
whats up with it. I would love to do this on my 86. By the way how close are you to dirty myrtle beach. I live about 20-30 minutes west. In a little 2 light town called aynor
I did the conversion on my truck. I just used the wheel bearings from the van. Everything went right on & tightened up nice. I haven’t driven on the road yet however. Just yard drive. Still working on a few things. I’m 4 hours away from Myrtle
 
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I have often wondered about this possibility. Thanks for doing the work and posting it.
No problem. Glad to help. Truck is almost ready for the road. I’m putting pinion angle shims in it & a rear driveshaft safety loop. As soon as all that’s done I’ll take her for a spin
 
I did this same swap to my 88 SWB.
I wanted to run my 8.75 with the 4.5 and Police Car slotted rims.
What I ran into was a smaller spindle and bearing from a D100 compared to a D150 or larger.
So I just changed spindles and all.
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I wasn't aware this was something people would purposely do on D150s...but I accidentally did this the other day on my Dad's 85 Ramcharger...he went to the parts store a couple weeks ago and picked up the rotors, I went to install them day before yesterday.

The bearings dropped in and tightened on no issue, along with the grease seals--everything looked good. But, I discovered thereafter the caliper was stuck and piston would not compress, so I called it a day and went to put the wheel on so I could at least set it on the ground, then discovered the lug pattern was different...5x4.5"

The part number the local store gave us was 7034RGS (Raybestos)...quick research found they were for an 84 Ramcharger (doh!). Went back the next day and got the right rotors (7009RGS) and new calipers.
 
I did this same swap to my 88 SWB.
I wanted to run my 8.75 with the 4.5 and Police Car slotted rims.
What I ran into was a smaller spindle and bearing from a D100 compared to a D150 or larger.
So I just changed spindles and all.View attachment 13146
Yea in my research this happened to a few. I think they just used the D100 wheel bearings & all was good.
 
So far no issues. I’ve been driving it when I had time. I may take one side apart this winter & see if there is an irregular wear pattern
 
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