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Dodge A100 disc brake conversion - 2019 Updated

kiwigtx

kiwigtx

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I just thought making the title easily searched would help others. :)

Ok, so I am going to carry out a few mods to my A100 this year.
1. Brakes
2. Steering
3. Fuel delivery
4. Engine power

I'll start it off here with my brakes upgrade. I have just had confirmation of what I need on the bottom end for the conversion. But what I need to know is - has anyone else actually done this upgrade themselves? The only thing I think I will need to calculate is the actual change in the master Cylinder. Although my Brake Man can sort that - if anyone has any good suggestions, I am more than happy to listen.

Thanks team.

1964-70 Dodge A100 van front disc

upload_2018-1-9_13-17-31.png
 
very sure the hub and drum set up is the same as the d100 60-71 . might even go back a couple years earlier . so that might get you closer . i have a couple d100 in these years , and the 75 ramcharger rotors and a dorfman stud can be matched up to the stock hubs and a gm caliper then comes in to play . this setup fits the 11 3/4 rotor . now i saw a member on forebodies use a viper caliper with a 15'' alloy rim , so that the ave i'm taking . yes scarebird makes a gm caliper mounting bracket for the conversion . did see a viper caliper bracket and kit for mopars on doctor dif web site . not sure if it works across'd all the models with drum brakes .
 
I do believe the A100 has a front straight axle and not the independent suspension of a D100. Correct me if this is wrong.
 
kiwigtx said:
I just thought making the title easily searched would help others. :)

Ok, so I am going to carry out a few mods to my A100 this year.
1. Brakes
2. Steering
3. Fuel delivery
4. Engine power

I'll start it of here with my brakes upgrade. I have just had confirmation of what I need on the bottom end for the conversion. But what I need to know is - has anyone else actually done this upgrade themselves? The only thing I think I will need to calculate is the actual change in the master Cylinder. Although my Brake Man can sort that - if anyone has any good suggestions, I am more than happy to listen.

Thanks team.

1964-70 Dodge A100 van front disc

View attachment 12328
Click to expand...
That would be an easy upgrade. Do you have the correct axle?
 
paul massaro said:
very sure the hub and drum set up is the same as the d100 60-71
Click to expand...
I checked with Mark at Scarebird, and he says the Dodge D100 won't fit - they offer new ones, but they will not suit apparently. My hubs are good fortunately, but good replacements are tough to find from what I have heard.
Thanks for your reply. :)
 
7mopar said:
That would be an easy upgrade. Do you have the correct axle?
Click to expand...
Yes, mine has the 2200 axle up front ....so it's going to fit well. The kit calls for Chevy Celebrity calipers and Lincoln rotors plus a bunch of small parts - hoses, banjo fittings and bolts. The Scarebird kit comes with bolt-up hardware. I can't wait. :D ....although it is going to take out the uncertainty factor when pulling up at a red light. ...lol
 
7mopar , the a series vans and d series trucks started ifs in 72 up , so a pair of parallel leaf springs and a beam axle was it until 72's came out . but that twin parallel leaf springs continued on the w series (4x4) for years . check them out . ih trucks used beam axles until 74 . so chrysler was not the last to go ifs .
 
paul massaro said:
7mopar , the a series vans and d series trucks started ifs in 72 up , so a pair of parallel leaf springs and a beam axle was it until 72's came out . but that twin parallel leaf springs continued on the w series (4x4) for years . check them out . ih trucks used beam axles until 74 . so chrysler was not the last to go ifs .
Click to expand...
I knew that just wanted to confirm it. Just did not know why you were suggesting ifs stiff on a solid axle. But then you were not. So I stand corrected.
 
It's been a while since I posted here, and even longer since I worked on my A100. Some news on my disc brake upgrade.....finally received a carton with some of the vital parts required - rotors, hoses and small parts. I also have the caliper mounting brackets.

But the annoying part is that Scarebird sells the Calipers and custom made brackets as a kit - supposedly direct from their own shop....so when the calipers did not arrive after waiting for 3 months, I find out that he 3rd Party ships them from Rock Auto of all places. Had I known that right from the start, I could have ordered them myself from Rock Auto, and saved myself a few dollars and a couple of months.
tumblr_mjw3m8hppg1qhr01io1_400.gif


Hence, I have not yet started my upgrade....I want all parts in hand before pulling anything apart. Stay tuned....there will be other happenings on the Little Red Wagon very soon.
 
Just got to like those exclusive parts suppliers. There was probably no way of knowing in advance and then knowing which ones to order?
 
kiwigtx said:
It's been a while since I posted here, and even longer since I worked on my A100. Some news on my disc brake upgrade.....finally received a carton with some of the vital parts required - rotors, hoses and small parts. I also have the caliper mounting brackets.

But the annoying part is that Scarebird sells the Calipers and custom made brackets as a kit - supposedly direct from their own shop....so when the calipers did not arrive after waiting for 3 months, I find out that he 3rd Party ships them from Rock Auto of all places. Had I known that right from the start, I could have ordered them myself from Rock Auto, and saved myself a few dollars and a couple of months.
View attachment 13445

Hence, I have not yet started my upgrade....I want all parts in hand before pulling anything apart. Stay tuned....there will be other happenings on the Little Red Wagon very soon.
Click to expand...
Look forward to seeing the swap, and whatever else you have planned.

7mopar said:
Just got to like those exclusive parts suppliers. There was probably no way of knowing in advance and then knowing which ones to order?
Click to expand...
Some vendors do tell you where to get some items they sell at a substantial markup. I love it when they do that, usually I buy more from them after that happens.
 
7mopar said:
Just got to like those exclusive parts suppliers. There was probably no way of knowing in advance and then knowing which ones to order?
Click to expand...
You are correct on that....obviously that is 'proprietary' information. :wacky:
 
LocuMob said:
Look forward to seeing the swap, and whatever else you have planned.


Some vendors do tell you where to get some items they sell at a substantial markup. I love it when they do that, usually I buy more from them after that happens.
Click to expand...
I think a build thread is in the wind for me...lol
 
does it use the 75 ramcharger 4x4 front rotors n studs like the 59-71d100 type hub does ? uses a gm caliper to get a 15'' rim on it . saw a guy use viper calipers on a 15'' rim 11.75 rotor combo .
 
No...here is the list of parts on top of the Scarebird branded backing plates and banjo bolts.....
upload_2018-8-22_22-22-14.png


Still waiting on the calipers to arrive. They are on a container sitting in port very close now. The port strike at Long beach recently screwed up the timetable....on top of Mr Scarebird dragging the chain.
 
kiwigtx said:
Should be the exact same as the Dodge pattern - I will take a measure tomorrow.
Click to expand...
Sorry...got side-tracked while running new fuel line. Oops....might have been a clue there. :D
 
kiwigtx said:
No...here is the list of parts on top of the Scarebird branded backing plates and banjo bolts.....
View attachment 13627

Still waiting on the calipers to arrive. They are on a container sitting in port very close now. The port strike at Long beach recently screwed up the timetable....on top of Mr Scarebird dragging the chain.
Click to expand...
Time for a serious update to my build ....rebuild of the brakes :)

Back in July last year I received some vital small parts that we were waiting on. Unfortunately, my Brake Guy was working a lot of shuts at the local Steel Mill...and time for the Wagon was very limited. So we waited until he was clear of the major distractions, and made a start back in February this year. Only a couple of days ago, we were able to take the Wagon out for it's maiden voyage on the new brake setup. What a difference already....still have some miles to put on to correctly bed the pads and rotors in, but early signs are very encouraging.

Even with what I thought was all the correct parts, this conversion has been nothing short of a colossal headache. Most of the special adaptable parts are in the dumpster now....as they were not even close to being close to what was required. That has left a slightly bitter taste...but happily we overcame hurdles as they were put in front of us.

I honestly cannot see how any person could expect to complete this upgrade on a weekend as suggested by Mark at Scarebird Brakes. Totally not possible. And as for a couple of the techniques recommended to do the job....left me mind-fu**ed at times. The suggestion of using a 'whizz-wheel' to open up the centres of the rotors to fit the hubs....absolute horse crap. I think the guy was high on something when he wrote the "How to Guide" :wacky:

Anyway....I will say that the backing plates to hold the calipers were nice pieces....but as for the rest of the kit.....well....
 
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