Last call for disc brake kits from Rustyhope

[Olddaddy]

I just received what will be my last batch of disc brake parts for at least a few months, maybe longer. "My good friend Tim the Laser Cutter Guy" just closed his doors after 15 long years of building up a business from nothing into something. The Bankers, Madoff, and the Government have claimed another small business victim, or maybe two. I will be looking for another source of the steel cutting for the caliper brackets, but I doubt I can find anything affordable. Tim was a good guy, a friend, and made my costs low enough to make my kits pretty economical. In the short term I have fourteen kits in stock, the long term is anybody's guess. Kits for cars and trucks are still $200 including shipping to lower 48 addresses, higher elsewhere. No matter what happens I will still provide tech support and free advice to anyone who has purchased one of my kits over the years.

PS, I need Plymouth spindles for if anyone has some (on the right in the pic below). I'll give you a partial credit on a kit for them.

[BulldogTom]

Olddaddy,

at the risk of showing my ignorance (something I do regularly) about all things mechanical, could you go through what is in your kit and what I would have to add to the kit to convert my '52 from drums to discs?

I guess another way to ask is - how much does a conversion cost? I was talking to a guy the other day and he was saying "less than a grand" to convert the brakes.

This truck will be a driver for my son, so I definately will be converting the brakes. The fact that I don't know how is not going to stop me.

Thanks for your time.

[Olddaddy]

Here's the info on my kits,

I make kits for mid 30s-late 50s Dodge/Plymouth trucks, and mid 30s-late 50s Plymouth cars. These years are approximate, and the kits may fit other years. My kits can be installed on Dodge, DeSoto, and Chrysler cars by installing Plymouth spindles on the original suspension. The Plymouth spindles mount identically to the others, using the same king pins and bushings, and allow installation of the caliper bracket.

My kit includes the caliper brackets, spacers, hardware, parts list and instructions. You will also need rotors, calipers, pads, bearings, seals, nuts, brake hose, banjo bolts, and cotter pins. The necessary parts are commonly available nationwide at a variety of parts stores including Napa, Discount Advance, Autozone, and many others. I routinely buy the necessary parts for under $200 here in Florida. The rotors on all my kits are a Mopar item with a 5 on 4 1/2" bolt pattern. The kits sell for $200 shipped to lower 48 addresses, add $25 to Canada. Shipping to Europe or elsewhere is available, but I will need your post code info to quote a price. Also, if you live in an area outside the US where parts may not be readily available, I can provide complete kits with all parts necessary to do the conversion.

The kits require you to drill and tap two or three mounting holes on each spindle to 5/8"-18 fine thread depending on which vehicle you are converting. Trucks and early Cars have two holes to drill and tap, later Cars have three. You will also need to drill out the holes in your steering arms to 11/16" which is clearance for a 5/8" bolt. If you cannot do that I will do it for you for $20 per piece, $80 total to lower 48 addresses, add $20 to Canada. I can email you the parts list after you pay if you want to get a jump on your parts purchases. You can pay via paypal, using this email address as the "send to" location. You can also pay via money order to Charlie Akers, 6405 Old Kissimmee rd, Davenport, FL 33896. I regret I cannot take personal checks, or credit cards.

[Dennis_MN]

I spent about another $500 on the parts. You will find there are upgrades in materials used on the disks, and the rotors and then there was the little stuff like breaking a line or stripping the threads in a juice junction block.

As far as the drilling and tapping, it was difficult to find those sizes of drill bits and taps at the rental shops. I now recommend to take the spindels off and have them drilled and tapped. Charlie is the low cost supplied for that service. By the way, I had my brackets powder coated in black before I started. That turned out to be free as a gift from a neighbor who owned a sheet metal shop that included them in another order that he had going through the process.

Dennis

[realgonekatt]

Sign me up man, I need a kit for my 46 plymouth c. coupe. PM sent charlie..

Thanks_Bryan

[PatS....]

Sorry to hear of your friend going out of business Charlie. I hope you are able to find another supplier to carry on.

[Olddaddy]

Dennis, wasn't part of your parts price the wheel adapters you used to get back to the original 6 bolt lug pattern? You could spend that much in any case if you buy top end brands at NAPA, but the bargain store will keep it around $200.

[Dennis_MN]

Dennis, wasn't part of your parts price the wheel adapters you used to get back to the original 6 bolt lug pattern? You could spend that much in any case if you buy top end brands at NAPA, but the bargain store will keep it around $200.

Nope, that was Dan. Nope, when the counter guy at Napa see's me and they have good, better, and best, they know that I'm a sucker for best.

If I wanted to save money, I wouldn't have bought a antique truck! However, looking back at the money spent on the truck, it was way better than just leaving the cash in the 401k. Now my 401k is worth half and the old Dodge is still worth what I paid for it.

Dennis

[Olddaddy]

Apologies to you both, Dennis and Dan. I have early onset oldtimers disease......The best thing about being poor is that the current collapsed economy feels very normal.

[Dennis_MN]

I just checked my last years spending and I made three trips to Napa while doing the brake job. My first trip was $351 and then $24 then $30 for about $400 in parts. I suppose I spent a hundred or so more than necessary but I figure that I would be doing this only once. I really love the kit and the whole notion of disk brakes. Worth every penny to not worry about stopping even if I don't get it much over 55mph.

Thats a great kit and I'd recommend it to anyone.

Dennis