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2000 dodge durango rear drum to disk conversion

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21K views 26 replies 9 participants last post by  donram360  
#1 ·
Hey Guys i want to convert my back drum brakes to disk breaks and was wondering if anybody knew the best way to go about it? I think the 03/04 durango may have had back disk brakes (not 100% tho). If so could i just pull some off a 03/04 durango in the junk yard and install on my 2000? I have found conversion kits that are very expensive and then i will have to pay for labor and im not even sure if the kits are complete or bolt on. I really dont know any thing about the conversion and would love any input please and thanks you. Reason for conversion is im putting on some kmc stealth rims and want to clean up the look. The drum brakes area ugly as hell and even power coating the drums looks bad
 
#2 ·
The parts are not a bolt on swap. The mounting flange is in a different location between the two.
 
#4 ·
Yes, cut and weld or swap rear end assembly's. The 04 Durango is a different generation.
 
#6 ·
Can you weld? And would you bet your life on your welding skills?

The swap will be easiest overall, but you'll have to buy a rear. You'll also recoup some of that when you sell the old one. Moving the flanges will be cheapest, but you have to trust your welds.
 
#26 ·
Can you weld? And would you bet your life on your welding skills?

The swap will be easiest overall, but you'll have to buy a rear. You'll also recoup some of that when you sell the old one. Moving the flanges will be cheapest, but you have to trust your welds.
I've installed the complete rear from 03 into 01,doing front soon.i see what appears to be proportion on the 01 but only a large block with wiring on 03. Any help
 
#7 ·
i am going to be swapping the whole rear diff for rear disc brakes on my 01... i found a used unit for 145 in the yard with it complete, calipers, park brake cables, brake lines, everything.....
 
#8 ·
I wouldn't be doing the work.. I have a couple different shops I go to but none of them seem to be to interested in doing this conversation. I believe its because they weren't sure of how to do it or how much work would need to be put into it. But if all I need to do is swap rear ends thats not to bad. Junk yard has a 03 and sells rear end assembly for $110. I would just need to make sure its ok then get some new rotors and pads and maybe powder coat the calipers.
After the swap is made how do I go about connecting the brake lines?
I really appreciate the help guys!
 
#9 ·
If you're 4WD, make sure it's the same ratio as your front or else you'll snap something the second you put it in 4WD.

You'll also need a 4-wheel-disc proportioning valve from an 03, and if you have RWAL you'll either need to convert it to 4 wheel ABS or eliminate the ABS completely. RWAL won't work with rear discs.
 
#10 ·
why would it not work??? is there not a tone wheel in the diff??
 
#11 ·
The RWAL system in a <'03 is going to be calibrated to the lower pump/dump pressures required by the drum wheel cylinders, and trucks with 4wheel discs were only offered with 4 wheel ABS.
 
#12 ·
OK, this is interesting/informative. I've been thinking about doing this for some time now.

So, Taz, let me see if I've got all this straight, so far anyway:

The rear differential assembly w/disk brakes, from an 03 Durango, will swap/bolt directly into our 98 - 02 Durango's?

And, for proper front/rear proportioning, we need to swap out the proportioning valve with the proportioning valve from the donor truck?

RWAL - Since the tone rings are the same, and the proportioning valve is correct for 4 wheel disk brakes, won't the changes be transparent to the PCM/ABS system?

You mentioned that RWAL doesn't work with 4WDB. In what way?
Do the rear brakes lock up?
Or, does the RWAL system just stop working?

You also mentioned that converting to All Wheel ABS is possibly a solution. What's all involved with converting our RWAL brake systems to AWAL?
Is it just a matter of swapping out the ABS controller, the front spindles (for the bigger disks & dual piston calipers, and ABS sensor mounting)?
Adding the wheel sensor wiring?
Change/add hard lines?

Last question: Are the front spindles from the 03 Durango's truly a direct swap/replacement for improving the braking on our older Gen-1 Durango's?
 
#14 · (Edited)
OK, this is interesting/informative. I've been thinking about doing this for some time now.

So, Taz, let me see if I've got all this straight, so far anyway:

The rear differential assembly w/disk brakes, from an 03 Durango, will swap/bolt directly into our 98 - 02 Durango's?
Yes. Again, if it's a 4x4, the ratio must be the same as your front.

And, for proper front/rear proportioning, we need to swap out the proportioning valve with the proportioning valve from the donor truck?
Yes.

RWAL - Since the tone rings are the same, and the proportioning valve is correct for 4 wheel disk brakes, won't the changes be transparent to the PCM/ABS system?
No, because the discs require higher pressure to operate than the RWAL pump is designed to supply.

You mentioned that RWAL doesn't work with 4WDB. In what way?
Do the rear brakes lock up?
Or, does the RWAL system just stop working?
It'll engage, but it may not provide enough force after a dump to effectively clamp the caliper back onto the wheel. It'll still stop and it'll definitely keep the wheels from locking up, but it won't work as designed.

You also mentioned that converting to All Wheel ABS is possibly a solution. What's all involved with converting our RWAL brake systems to AWAL?
Is it just a matter of swapping out the ABS controller, the front spindles (for the bigger disks & dual piston calipers, and ABS sensor mounting)?
Adding the wheel sensor wiring?
Change/add hard lines?
As odd as it's going to sound, the 4 wheel ABS on the rear disc setup still works the same way. Same wiring, same plumbing. It's technically a "3 channel" system. They didn't go to a 'true 4WABS' until the generation overhaul. But the pump and controller are different part numbers for the 03 than the 01-02.

The wiring harness should already be in place for the front sensors - it is on mine anyway.. Even though mine is RWAL, it has the plugs at the front wheels and the extra 4 pin harness at the ABS controller, you should just need to swap your hubs for the ones with the tone rings and install the sensors. You will also need to install the 4WABS hard lines in the front (or make your own).

Last question: Are the front spindles from the 03 Durango's truly a direct swap/replacement for improving the braking on our older Gen-1 Durango's?
Honestly don't know.
 
#15 ·
Ok so with the swap i will also need to modify the front end to? With the 03 spindles, hubs, dual piston calipers? I already planed on getting a new set of 4 disk rotors but didnt put much thought into the front end. I just figured that there wasnt any difference between the 2000 and 2003 front end? If i get front end disk rotors made for a 03 will they work on my 00? If not do i have to modify the front end or should i try to find front disk made for a 00 that match back disk for a 03?
Also i am going to be lowering the suspension all around. Is there anything i need to consider between the 2 jobs? Thanks
 
#16 ·
You don't HAVE to. The 03 front swap just gives you better braking because they're bigger brakes. If you just want to do it for the ABS, then all you need to do is swap hubs for ones for a 4WABS, because they have the tone ring. If you decide to not bother with the ABS, then just disable it and you don't have to do anything to the front.
 
#17 ·
ok so i have been doing alot of reseach and have found more threads on this topic and come to find out this 03 swap will no longer fit my stock 15 inch rims.. not happy since i just got a new set of tires for them and would like to be ably to put them on for towing, long trips ect. I plan on keeping this truck forever and making it my weekend car and want to make sure i do this right but its looking like i might have to go with the expenive conversion kit.. It wouldnt be the end of the world if i did the swap and had to get rid of the stock rims but would really like the option of using them. I still dont know which way to go and im putting the truck in the body shop for paint next week and would like to know by then so i can get this done after. Becoming frustrated...
 
#18 ·
Hey stealthballing,

In your research, were you able to verify that the 03 spindles are a direct bolt on for our 02 & older rigs? As long as we have 16" wheels or larger?
 
#21 ·
Thanx for the verification 9t9!
I've been tossing around the idea of changing my spindles for a long time now; and an 03 just happened hit the local pick and pull yesterday:)
Now if it will just stop raining longing up to go pull them. ..
 
#22 ·
Just to clarify, even when swapping just the rear axle for the disc brakes, you would still require a 16" wheel? I'm not really concerned about the front brakes, I just don't like drum brakes. Purely because I hate working on them...
 
#23 ·
For the rear on my 2000 Rango. I went with 96 jeep Cherokee disks the only part that was not were the rotors. You can re drill them using the original drums for a template. Both vehicles used the same rear. Brackets and calipers bolt up to the dur dak rear. It only works with the 9 1/4 rear. It is a job because you have to pull the axles to install the rear bracket and remove the stock ones. Then it stays molar and off the shelf parts.
 
#24 ·
fastdurango- yes if you swap for the 03 durango rear end you will require a 16 " rim or bigger because thats what the rim size was on the 03 dur

As far as what i have done so far.. Nothing .. shitty... ok so after spending hours doing reseach on converion kits there is only 1 still available. The ssbc kit from summit... talked with summit and talked with my mechanic and all seem to be a go.. so just when i was about to order it, i noticed it said it only works with a 8.25 axle. so i checked my axle size with the dealer and of course i have the 9.25.. I didnt even know there was diff sizes..called ssbc and they said there is nothing i can do to make that kit work... so now my only option is the 03 swap which i really dont want to do because of the 15" stock rim not working.. Guess what .. the only 03 in the junk yard has a trashed rear end...
cindrango whats this... 96 jeep cherokee rear disk work on 00 durango?? how about the 15' rim? will that fit?

As of now i order my belltech suspension kit and waiting by the mail box for it and i might just black out the drums untill i find a 03 dur or do more reseach on this 96 jeep swap... Thanks guys Brian
 
#25 ·
The jeep is bolt in except for the rotor which is easily redrilled . the Cherokee was available with a15 and16 inch wheels. You will have to cheack that out yourself. It does work I sold mine on here I can try to dget ahold of the guy that bought it for you.
 
#27 ·
As long as your drum brake system is working as it is supposed to, I really don't see the point in swapping to disc, for 98% of us the drum brake set up on these is more than adequate