2WD disc brake upgrade

[Willy48]

Hi all, got a very nice package today, that when it finally gets warm I'll make an update to the weekend section of the forum. As alluded to in earlier posts, I was going to put disc brakes on my '48 2wd wagon, "Nelson". Now I know you 4wd'ers can get kits for various axles but I hadn't seen anything for us Planar guys. Knowing of a place that specialized in disc brake kits for hot rodders and their early iron, I contacted Brake Tech Solutions, in North Carolina, and asked if they could whip up a set of brakes for my Willys, and they said sure. COOL! What they would need from me would be my front spindles (less the uprights), steering arms, spindle nuts and washers. What follows is a compendium of what I had, what I sent and what I got in return;

What I had

What I sent

What I received

I took one of the assemblies apart so that you can see the bracket that was manufactured and how the spindle was machined to take a modern set of wheel bearings. The caliper appears to be the Metric GM caliper and the rotor is an 11" Ford unit

Also included in the kit is a polished aluminum Ford m/c, with a factory distribution/proportioning valve and brake hoses. Braketech wanted to know what the vehicle weight was, what size and type the rear brakes are, so that a balanced system could be put together

As stated at the beginning of this post, when it gets warmer, I'll do a pictoral for the weekend update section, so that you can follow along, as Nelson becomes roadworthy

Later...

Lee

 

[dirtbuggy]

too cool I like I did a disc conv. on my 2a and 11" drums on rear so I love it havent decided what to do with the old pickemup yet right now just drive it around until the 2a is done

 

[Eric B]

That looks like a good set up for the 2wd's..... I can assure you the 4wd conversion and upgrade on the rear isn't that straightforward when you do it to save a few bucks here and there.....

Upgraded my rear to 11x2 self adjusting with parking brake set up..... Original on mine was 11x2 manual adjustment with one parking brake cable....

 

[cnsay]

Looks like you picked a good shop to deal with, that looks like great quality work. Looking forward to warm weather and seeing how it all comes together.

 

[Lef13]

Nice! I am working on a 48 U was going to do the same but theirs to much frame damage from old owner scabing on new engine and trani. Have to go with a donor.

 

[thigh19]

You never mentioned how much? What was the turn around?

 

[Willy48]

Well, Thom, seeing as what I paid for them ($900), may not be relevant today, 1 1/2yrs. later, you'll have to contact Brake Tech Solutions (http://www.braketechsolutions.com) for a more accurate figure, and it also will depend on what the brakes are going onto. I think I got my parts in about 6-7 weeks. What I can also tell you, is that when I put them on, about 2 weeks ago, I had a problem with them. The caliper bracket was such that the caliper contacted the spindle upright on even the slightest turn

I contacted BTS about this and they asked for my brackets/spindles back so that a new mounting bracket could be made. Custom machining parts for a vehicle that's NOT in front of you isn't an exact science. BTS was very tolerant because of the time lapse from purchase to installation, and very supportave of their product. I'll give an update when my parts come back again

Later...

Lee

 

[Willy48]

Okay, we're back in business!! We gonna be stoppin' now... Yesterday, two packages from Braketech Solutions arrived at my door, with my revamped caliper brackets, so this evening, I just had to start putting on the new pieces to see if they fit. I gotta tell ya, the guys at BTS know what they're doing!! I now have a full arc of motion from the spindle/disc brake, and nothing interferes. Here's some pic's

Spindle and caliper bracket installed on spring and control arm

Plenty of clearance this time!!

Here is what disc brakes on a 2wd station wagon look like. I'm very happy

Later...

Lee