Stovebolt.com Forums The Shop Area The Engine Shop 3/4 & 1-ton w/duals disc brake upgrade

Been working on duplicating a front disk brake upgrade I saw on another web site and have reached the point that it looks like it will work.

Disc Brake Upgrade

Everything is straight forward except for locating the correct caliper bracket. I finally found a set that looked like the ones I saw on the other site today and hey presto, it all falls together.

The bracket is from a 1991 Dodge B350 Maxivan, 2WD, gas powered, 9600lbs GVW. I looked at three different 1-ton Dodges in the boneyard today and only the high GVW one had the right parts. Here is the VIN from the donor vehicle: 2B7KB31ZXMK409516. The Dodge parts guy assured me he can find any part from the VIN number.

It does look like I'll have to trim the stop adjusters from the steering arms. Next thing is to try rotating the adapter mounting holes upwards a bit to see if I can keep the adjusters.

Looks great. What disk/hub is that? I see from the pictures that you have the NAPA part numbers, but I'm curious what they fit.

Steve,

NapaOnline.com lists that rotor as being used in all 4 wheel positions but doesn't say what on.

I put in 1991 Dodge D350 1-ton pickup and it shows the 85604 rotor so that's one of the applications.

As my mockup sits right now, the rotor is not yet piloted to the hub. It looks easy to make up a ring to pilot the ID of the brake rotor to the hub but then I haven't talked to the machine shop yet.

The hubs are GMC/Chevy, '53 - '59, 3/4 & 1 ton w/duals.

John

Thanks John!

Please keep the details coming. It's likely some of us will be following you down this path in the future and we're all happy you're keeping good records!

Things are moving along on the front end rebuild and disk brake conversion.

I called Benz Spring in Portland, OR (www.benzspring.com) and ordered a set of front springs on Friday and the UPS guy dropped the springs and new u-bolts off today about 1:30.

Shortly afterwards, the machine shop called and asked for an updated copy of my Autocad drawing for the caliper adapters. I sent it to him around 3:00 and picked up the finished brackets at 4:30. I've added a picture to the end of the album.

The cold-rolled steel plates cost as much as the cutting on the water-jet did.

Disk Brake Upgrade

Over the weekend, I pulled the steering box for a rebuild, cleaned the area around the spring hangers and removed and replaced the bushings in the front frame hangers. I see today that the new springs come with the bushings already installed in them.

I was VERY impressed with the service from Benz Spring. Called 'em on Friday and told them what I was working on, the guy says they'll go out Monday, and there here on Tuesday. Oh yeah, both the springs and the u-bolts are made in the USA!

Looking good!

Did I miss what year vehicle this is going on? i have a '46 3/4 ton that I would love to put disc brakes on. Just trying to figure out if a setup similar to this would work. I would definately like to keep the heavy suspension setup and improve braking capability.

Hey, me too. I have a 46 1 ton that could use better breaking.

Nice job. You have done a great job at making your caliper mounts I can only hope mine come out as good.
I am looking at doing the same to my 56 6100
I think that I have found a rotor and caliper set that will work. They are 15” rotors and have the same 6 on 6” bolt pattern as my current drums. So I think that they will right to my hub. They come off a late modal Isuzu step van that has the same 6 on 8and ¾ bolt 22.5 bud wheels as my truck. This will be a new section in my truck build soon.
I will add more on the donor vehicle as soon as I talk with the mechanic at the laundry that uses these step vans.

Looks great OlBlue!! Having worked with AutoCAD and plasma tables for 20 years - and making drawings for water cutting for about 6 - I appreciate your work. Thanks for posting your progress. What truck exactly are you working on?
Thanks