Front Disc Brake Conversion Small Bolt Pattern

[Shorty1029]

Looking for recommendations for a disc brake conversion for my 71 Dodge Demon 340 with 14" wheels, 4' bolt pattern. It looks like almost every conversion is 4.5 or 5".
Cragar is telling me they think to convert to 4.5 I will need a 1/2 inch spacer with the new wheels needed
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[glenn340]

Why not do what the factory did? A little more work sourcing the parts over buying a complete kit.

The Kelsey-Hayes Disk Brake Swap Thread

I did this on my 1969 Dart and they work really well.

 

[Shorty1029]

Why not do what the factory did? A little more work sourcing the parts over buying a complete kit.

The Kelsey-Hayes Disk Brake Swap Thread

I did this on my 1969 Dart and they work really well.

Thank you. Great idea.

 

[Darter6]

Stainless Steel Brake Corp (SSBC) disc brake conversion kit came with rotors that were drilled for both 4 1/2'' and 4''.
They use the 10'' A body brake spindles. If memory serves they fit 14'' wheels.
Not saying that they still do but may be worth looking into. Just a thought.

 

[Mike69cuda]

I don’t understand why folks think converting to the big bolt pattern is so desirable. By the time you do front and back conversions, you have spent way more than you would have buying expensive small bolt pattern wheels like cragars, or having some custom made.

I understand there may be other reasons why folks do it, but spending the time and money to do it just to move away from SBP seems like a waste to me. Just my opinion…..

 

[Professor Fate]

Dr. Diff has the kit you need, based on the '73-'76 factory parts but modified for the 4" bolt circle.
10.95" Front Disc Brake Kit (Stage 1)

 

[Shorty1029]

I don’t understand why folks think converting to the big bolt pattern is so desirable. By the time you do front and back conversions, you have spent way more than you would have buying expensive small bolt pattern wheels like cragars, or having some custom made.

I understand there may be other reasons why folks do it, but spending the time and money to do it just to move away from SBP seems like a waste to me. Just my opinion…..

I was really not looking to go to a big bolt pattern form my current small bolt pattern, I was just having trouble finding small bolt pattern options, so I came to the place where all the A-body knowledge is.

 

[remytherat]

Dr. Diff has the kit you need, based on the '73-'76 factory parts but modified for the 4" bolt circle.
10.95" Front Disc Brake Kit (Stage 1)

I have a very lightly used pair of those rotors I’d part with


14” sbp steelies do not clear the calipers

 

[Professor Fate]

I have a very lightly used pair of those rotors I’d part with


14” sbp steelies do not clear the calipers

I was under the impression that a 1/4" spacer or so gets the job done with steelies- never tried it myself though.

 

[Shorty1029]

Dr. Diff has the kit you need, based on the '73-'76 factory parts but modified for the 4" bolt circle.
10.95" Front Disc Brake Kit (Stage 1)

Thanks Professor. I just took a look at this and it looks like I would need to Add Upper Ball Joint Adapters, Lower Ball Joints, Lower Ball Joint Bolts and Nuts (+$120.00)
Any idea on which master cylinder bore size I would need? It gives 2 options... 15/16" or 1 1/32"
Much appreciated!

 

[remytherat]

I was under the impression that a 1/4" spacer or so gets the job done with steelies- never tried it myself though.

5/16” plus grinding.
I don’t recommend


Other wheels though, the kit is great

 

[Shorty1029]

5/16” plus grinding.
I don’t recommend


Other wheels though, the kit is great

Yeah Im trying to keep my existing small bolt 14" Cragars.

 

[junkyardhero]

Yeah Im trying to keep my existing small bolt 14" Cragars.

sounds like you're in for OEM or the SSBC kit then.

we *know* the cragars will fit the stock stuff. but i would suggest quadruple double checking the wheel fitment guide on SSBC just to be sure you're good to go. the company has closed and reopened and changed hands several times, so you never know if some aspect of that kit has been altered or modified.

oh, and that's only for the 10" drum spindle. if you have 9's it's a whole different ball of wax.

 

[FlamesAreWicked]

I think pirate jack also sells small bolt disc brake conversions in varying levels of completeness..

 

[junkyardhero]

I think pirate jack also sells small bolt disc brake conversions in varying levels of completeness..

it's the same as Dr. Diff, 73~76 stuff with SBP rotors

 

[Oldmanmopar]

You can use 1966-1968 mustang rotors on 67-72 mopar disc brake spindles.

They also have a kit to put kelsey hayes 4 piston brakes on A-body 10 inch drum brake spindles.

Both of these methods use 4 1/2 LBP but keep the same track width as an early SBP car. With the 73 up brakes or that style kits you gain 1 inch in track width . 1/2 per side.

Here is the kit for drum spindle

1964-1972 Dodge Dart, 1964-1969 Plymouth Barracuda, 1970-1972 Plymouth Duster and others - Disc Brake Kit - DBK2001SM - Kanter Auto

 

[Shorty1029]

You guys are the best! I went from no choices to a few good options. Much appreciated!

 

[mvh]

One thing, I would definitely not go with a solution that requires spacers — why go to all that work, and still not have a proper fit?

I did a K-H factory-style conversion on a 67 Barracuda convertible that had 9-in drums. It was very straightforward, since it used all factory parts except for the Summit adjustable proportioning valve. I originally tried using a later factory disc brake metering block with built-in PV, but it had too much rear braking. With the adjustable one I was able to dial it in.

 

[Shorty1029]

Yeah I just spoke with SSBC and they recommend I pull the 14" Cragars off and measure for fitment...Damn it!

Probably call Cragar next.

 

[Dartvader440gt]

Why not do what the factory did? A little more work sourcing the parts over buying a complete kit.

The Kelsey-Hayes Disk Brake Swap Thread

I did this on my 1969 Dart and they work really well.

This is what I did on my 69 Dart also. I actually bought mine from a member here many years ago. Front manual discs and they work great.

 

[junkyardhero]

Yeah I just spoke with SSBC and they recommend I pull the 14" Cragars off and measure for fitment...Damn it!

Probably call Cragar next.

you know what cragar is gonna tell you, right?

they're gonna tell you to go pull them and measure to be certain.

and i'd bet it'd be the same even if they're brand new units that you just bought

 

[Shorty1029]

you know what cragar is gonna tell you, right?

they're gonna tell you to go pull them and measure to be certain.

and i'd bet it'd be the same even if they're brand new units that you just bought

I called Cragar... Do you guys always have to be right?

 

[junkyardhero]

I called Cragar... Do you guys always have to be right?

i'm like a broken clock, right twice a day!

 

[Mike69cuda]

I have the SSBC small bolt pattern front disc kit. Stock 14 inch wheels fit

 

[bcschief]

Home | Scarebird Classic Brakes

Here is an inexpensive unconventional way, and it mostly uses modern parts.