Dana 30 swap on 72 CJ 5

FOund a Dana 30 axle on craigslist complete with Disc brakes. Was wondering how much work would be involved in swapping it out with the stock front axle that is on my 72 cj5. I really want the disc brakes, and if I could get out for a 100 bucks I'm in.

Mike

 

what year/model is the D30 with disc brakes from ?
at the least, spring perches and leave width come into play

 

Buy it and swap everything from the knuckles out to the disc brake stuff. That way you don't have to swap gears(your '72 probably has different gears). Buy new seals and bearings and check the rotors and pads.

 

you both beat me to it...
wasn't even thinking that route
duh....

 

I was hoping you guys would say that. That's really all I wanted to do, but wasn't sure how big of an undertaking that was just yet. I haven't seen the axle so, I thought I would ask the experts.

 

You also have to replace the master cylinder with one from a disc brake jeep. Otherwise the front brakes will lock up when the fluid heats up.

 

If it is a d30 from a later jeep, like a yj or tj, ect. it will not work. You can't even swap the nuckles because the inner C is different.

 

That can be solved with a new residual pressure valve.

I've posted on the RPV before. Its probably searchable.

 

i kept my original "drum" master cylinder when i converted to front discs. almost three years now, and 10,000 miles, without any locking up issues. i'm not saying it can't happen, but it so far hasn't been my experience. i also removed the residual pressure flapper valve from the outlet port from the MC that leads to the front discs. but it's still the original, equal-chamber sized MC that came with the jeep.

 

thats because you removed the preasure valve. If you had not your brakes would be locking up.

 

in my mind, removing the residual valve is far easier, and far cheaper, than replacing the master cylinder with a "disc" master cylinder.

 

I did knuckles out, changed the master cylinder, and added stainless steel brake lines in the front and it all went off without a hitch... Works great on the old '73.