1973 Open Knuckle Dana 30 Disc Conversion

R

robeastunder

Member
So big question...does anyone make a straight forward Disc Conversion for the 1973 Scout which has a Dana 30 Open Knuckle setup, I have a 77 Donor Scout which has Dana 44 front and rear with Disc Brakes but the whole brake system would need a rebuild as its a plow truck that has not had brakes in over 8 years so things are a bit crusty. The 1973 that i am restoring is not going to be a trail rig just a fun grocery getter, so i really dont need the nicer front axles......any advice on upgrading my brakes with my existing setup would be greatly appreciated.

-Rob
 
I've got a 75 Scout that has a factory D30 with discs in front. Pretty sure you just need everything from the "Cs" out, plus the vacuum booster, proportioner, and brake lines from a 75 or newer Scout.
 
Also, don't forget about the master cylinder. Once you convert the front axle to disc brakes, the original master cylinder won't be compatible.
 
Scooter said:
Also, don't forget about the master cylinder. Once you convert the front axle to disc brakes, the original master cylinder won't be compatible.
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Did you do you 73 or were you lucky enough that someone bought the disc upgrade....i have 77 parts rig i am going to rob things from, just didn't feel like completely rebuilding, re-gearing axles, but maybe that will be a better option in the long run, but id rather not go down that road due to time contraints
 
robeastunder said:
Did you do you 73 or were you lucky enough that someone bought the disc upgrade....i have 77 parts rig i am going to rob things from, just didn't feel like completely rebuilding, re-gearing axles, but maybe that will be a better option in the long run, but id rather not go down that road due to time contraints
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In my '72 ole yeller, some P.O. was kind enough to swap in a complete D-44 from a later scout with disc brakes. My 73 beast came from factory with a D-44 with disc brakes(there is a story behind that).

I have actually done a few of these swaps over the years. The parts that Hondo mentioned, plus the master cylinder for disc/drum will be needed in order to convert your front D-30 from drums to disc. If memory suits my feable mind, all the outers from the C's to hubs should be be interchangeable between the two complete axles. Or bite the bullet and swap in the complete D-44 and do a gear change/rebuild. That way you know that the front axle is all freshly rebuilt when installed. Which is something I personally would do if I was in the same delima.
 
Scooter said:
In my '72 ole yeller, some P.O. was kind enough to swap in a complete D-44 from a later scout with disc brakes. My 73 beast came from factory with a D-44 with disc brakes(there is a story behind that).

I have actually done a few of these swaps over the years. The parts that Hondo mentioned, plus the master cylinder for disc/drum will be needed in order to convert your front D-30 from drums to disc. If memory suits my feable mind, all the outers from the C's to hubs should be be interchangeable between the two complete axles. Or bite the bullet and swap in the complete D-44 and do a gear change/rebuild. That way you know that the front axle is all freshly rebuilt when installed. Which is something I personally would do if I was in the same delima.
Click to expand...

I appreciate the input, I am leaning towards full axle/brake rebuild from the stuff i can rob off my parts truck, i was hoping for an easy solution but as i have been finding out with my 73 restoration nothing is easy and everything takes way longer than you think and you might as well do it right the first time so you dont have to touch it again.
 
 

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i would recommend rebuilding the D44 and then swap it into your rig. stronger axles, larger u joints, disc brakes and no down time.
 
Scout-It-Out said:
i would recommend rebuilding the D44 and then swap it into your rig. stronger axles, larger u joints, disc brakes and no down time.
Click to expand...

Yep i think that is the way i am going to go, i just need to rip out the 44's i have in my parts rig, clean them up and replace what needs replacing and have a much better system. I appreciate the knowledge and information everyone gave, helped me figure out the best course of action for sure.
 
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