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

I wish I had that AutoCAD experience. I carve stuff out of wood and look for a machinist who can copy it for me.

Outstanding. Looks like you are one your way with the brake conversion. What about bearings? Were you able to solve the conversion from ball to rollers? Have I missed something?

Oops, I've been really busy with my business for the last couple of weeks and haven't checked in here!

\'55 2nd series 3/4 ton. Same front hubs used on 3/4 and 1 ton, \'53 - \'59.

I bought a set of replacement roller bearings from Jim Carter. Very expensive no matter where you buy them but this truck is one of those "well I did this, this and this so I might as well do this too!"

I have a '38 1-1/2 ton stashed in the back of my shop waiting for me to get done with a couple of other projects. I see the parts book lists the same spindle for '37-42 utility (what I have) as well as 46-50 3/4, 1, and 1-1/2 ton and 51-52 3/4 & 1 tons. It does have a note that on the earliest and latest application that you need to open up the chamfer on the flange plate pilot hole. Looks like they went to a different bearing cone when using the part in replacement service. When I get some time, I'll make a few preliminary measurements to see how different they are from the later ones.

I actually have a completed mockup using the new brackets done and everything fits just like it's supposed to.

Hey OlBlue,
I've been out of town for awhile and haven't been near a computer. This has been an upgrade that a great many folks here have been wanting to do so, I think there would be a market for the design of those mounting plates. Well, at least a market of one anyways!!! Thanks for the post, Skip

OlBlue
Did you get this done yet?????
Good luck
Frank

Thanks for the great info on the Disc Brakes...any updates or new pictures ?

Did you ever finish your project? I am looking for ANY solution to put Disc on the front of my 1950 3/4ton

OlBlue's latest post was Jan 6, 2011 - only 2 weeks ago, so he's still active. I wonder if he ever got that done too. I'm still interested for my 50 3600.
Somebody should PM him.

I've been searching the site for a way to upgrade to disc brakes on my 38 1-1/2 ton. This has been the most interesting post I have found thus far. It seems to be a bit unclear as to what truck/ year this is going on. Can anyone clarify this?
In Griggs post, the suggestion is to shorten a modern axle. I'm not sure I want to go that far, as I don't plan on hauling loads with the old girl.
My hope is to find a bolt on rotor that matches.

While I have shortened some axles and it does work it's not simple....
Another I think better way to go about it is adapt newer spindles complete with the related disc brake components to an original axle beam. This can work great and works better on dual wheel trucks than single, but won't work in all cases because of the measuremnts, you need to check.
Here's the info.
http://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=725027#Post725027

Grigg