Blazer brake upgrade

Kennybill

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Oct 3, 2018
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Braceville Ohio
Very nice looking parts. I have a used setup I plan on doing (its on the list) to a 1983 GP I have buried in one of my buildings, if I live long enough. Keep us informed. It's nice to see a write up before tackling a job like this. Thanks.
 

TURNA

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Oct 5, 2018
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it is an extremely easy swap

pop the upper/lower ball joints, tie rods and install these and done.

You can reuse the stock Gbody brake hose if you cut the rubber boot off it or get adapters from the Gbody steel brake line to the blazer hose.
 
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Olds 307 and 403

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Oct 4, 2018
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Melville, Saskatchewan
The 2wd drive is a rare option up here, especially on later models. What year did they start coming with those brakes? I am also not sure about 14" wheels fitting and sealed bearings seem to fail eventually.
 

TURNA

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Oct 5, 2018
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They are 2 wheel drive Blazer Xtreme front brakes.

The advantages are sealed bearing hubs, larger rotors, dual piston calipers and all off the self parts when you go to your local parts store.

From what I am told 14" rims fit. I know for sure 15" and up rims fit

Parts needed from donor vehicle are

Spindles
Brake dust shields
Hubs (or buy new)
Rotors (or buy new)
Calipers ( to use or use as cores)
Some Permatex to seal the ABS sensors
Brake pads
Some also take the steel brake line frame mounts where the rubber line meets the hard-line.
If you use the Blazer mounts you will have to bend your hard-line down.
You then do not have to cut the rubber boot off the GBody brake hose.
If you take the Blazer rubber brake lines you will need a thread adapter to fit your GBody hard-line.
 
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TURNA

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Oct 5, 2018
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OK quick update.

I highly suggest you use the Blazer brake hoses and brackets

I used the Russell braided lines they are way to long and do not "lock" into the caliper I was afraid with normal driving they might twist over time and come loose.





Now that I was going to use the Blazer brake lines I needed a thread adapter GBody standard Blazer metric



Also you need to install the Blazer brake line bracket and bend the brake hard lines down.

It looks like the line is on top of the A-Arm but it is no where near it. I actually went out and re-checked after I seen this pic.

Also you can see how the Blazer brake hose "locks" into the caliper



Finally with a 15x7 JJ Olds SSII rim you will need a 1/4" spacer for them to fit otherwise the caliper hits the rim.

This is something I was not expecting from the other installs I have seen in the past.

What is the backspacing on these rims?

 
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Olds 307 and 403

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Oct 4, 2018
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Melville, Saskatchewan
I believe they are 0 offset, so 3.5" on a 7" rim. The braided lines make a huge difference in pedal feel, makes it firmer for sure.
 

Matt69olds

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Oct 8, 2018
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Kokomo Indiana
Interesting. Next time I own a G body I’ll have to consider this upgrade. The factory brakes leave a little to be desired. Any cheap rear upgrades to match?
 

TURNA

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Oct 5, 2018
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The braided lines make a huge difference in pedal feel, makes it firmer for sure.

This may be true but if you can't properly secure them and they come loose what good are they.

I will have to find the same set I have on my Malibu they use the block style end that will lock into the caliper
 

Olds 307 and 403

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Oct 4, 2018
996
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Melville, Saskatchewan
Another is when they are extra long is rubbing. My 94 Z71 I switched to braided hoses, they were way long, so they could be used with lifted trucks. They actually contacted on tight turns with the dust shield, they were so stiff but the braking improved.
 

TURNA

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Oct 5, 2018
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NY
Yes as you can see in the pics the Russell brand hoses are way to long and they did look like they would rub.

These Russell hoses I used where for Gbody's too not a generic hose.
 

TURNA

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Oct 5, 2018
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NY
Quick update....

If you use the front rubber brake hoses from a 2000ish 2WD 4 door Blazer you can avoid using the line to hose adapter fitting.
 
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