Drum & Disc Brake Conversion Kits

What Comes in a Drum to Disc Brake Conversion Kit

Most conversion kits include the core hardware you need to mount discs where drums used to be. Contents vary by brand and application, so check the parts list on each listing before you order. A typical kit includes:

• Brake rotors sized to match the kit's caliper
• Brake calipers, loaded or bare depending on the kit
• Brake pads matched to the caliper
• Caliper mounting brackets that bolt to your spindle or axle housing
• Flexible brake hoses with the fittings to connect them
• Mounting bolts and related hardware
• New hubs and bearings on some front kits

If your car or truck already has discs and you want more clamping force, compare complete disc brake kits built for upgrades instead. Still deciding whether the swap makes sense for your build? Review the differences between drum and disc brakes before you buy.

Front vs. Rear vs. Four-Wheel Disc Brake Conversion Kits

Choose a front kit to upgrade the axle that does most of the stopping. Pick a rear kit to finish a car that already has front discs, or a four-wheel kit to convert everything at once.

Because the front wheels handle most of the braking force, many older vehicles left the factory with front discs and rear drums. A front disc brake conversion kit is often the first upgrade for classics that still run drums at all four corners.

Rear disc brake conversion kits give you a more balanced pedal feel and simpler pad service. They also add parking brake and hydraulic steps, covered below.

A four-wheel kit converts both axles in one project and suits builds that see spirited driving, towing, or added power. You also set up the hydraulic system once instead of revisiting it later. Shop the full brakes lineup for the supporting parts your project needs.

Hydraulic Upgrades: Master Cylinder and Proportioning Valve

Most conversions need hydraulic changes, because disc brakes need higher line pressure than drums. A master cylinder built for drums may not move enough fluid for disc calipers. Many drum systems also use a residual pressure valve that can keep disc pads dragging, so remove or change it for discs.

Switching to master cylinders matched to disc brakes addresses both issues. Look for a bore size and port layout that fit your kit's calipers and your vehicle's mounting.

Brake balance matters too. A disc/drum combination valve or adjustable brake proportioning valves let you limit rear pressure so the rear wheels don't lock before the fronts. Four-wheel disc setups call for a valve set up for discs at both ends.

While the system is open, inspect your brake lines. Old hard lines can corrode, and new calipers may use different fittings, so replacing them now saves you a second bleed.

Rear Disc Conversions and Parking Brakes

Every rear disc conversion needs a working parking brake, and kits handle it one of two ways. Some use calipers with an integrated parking brake lever that clamps the pads against the rotor. Others use a drum-in-hat design, where a small drum brake sits inside the rotor hat and works only as the parking brake.

Either way, your factory cables may not fit. Cable length, end style, and routing change with the new hardware, so many rear kits call for new parking brake cables or adapter brackets. Check the kit's included parts before you order so your car isn't stuck on jack stands waiting for one piece.

Rear kits are built around specific housings, such as GM 10- and 12-bolt, Ford 8- and 9-inch, and Mopar rears. Confirm your axle type first. For a step-by-step walkthrough of the process, read our guide on how to convert rear drum brakes to disc brakes.

Choosing a Kit for Your Vehicle and Driving Style

Match the kit to how you drive and what you haul. A daily driver often needs a direct-fit kit that restores factory braking, while towing rigs and performance builds benefit from upgraded pads and rotors.

Power Stop offers OE stock replacement kits for factory-style braking. Its Z23 daily driver kits pair carbon-ceramic pads with drilled-and-slotted rotors, and Z36 truck kits use ceramic pads built for pickups and SUVs. R1 Concepts E-Line sets combine drilled-and-slotted rotors with drums for front and rear service, and some add pads, shoes, and hardware in one box.

For street and performance disc conversions, Wilwood builds front and rear disc brake kits for many classic and muscle car applications. Those kits suit builders who want larger rotors and multi-piston calipers on an older chassis. If you drive a pickup, compare your options in our guide to brake conversion kits for GM and Chevy trucks.