Mechanical differences from 48 to 49? Scarebird disc brakes...

[Jacqualine47]

I was poking around the internet and found Scarebird Classic Brakes at www.scarebird.com

They apparently make a disc brake kit for 49 to 54 for all Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth and Desoto vehicles... (priced at $185, unless it'd let me not have to convert to Plymouth spindles I'd just stick to Olddaddy's kit from www.rustyhope.com or more likely I'll go the junkyard scavenger hunt method)

My question is... I didn't think that there were any major mechanical changes to the front suspension between 48 and 49 (or for several years prior for that matter)... what's up with their kit only going back to 49?

[dezeldoc]

Stay away from them! go to one of the other vendors for the kit.

[Jacqualine47]

Dezeldoc, did you have a bad experience with them?

[dezeldoc]

to say the least.

[BeBop138]

to say the least.

Dez, I know you had a bad experience with them, with that said I think Mark is a stand up guy and he has treated me well when I did the Chrysler---I would use him again. Check out all vendors and pick the one you are most comfortable with..............Good Luck............Lee

[msawdey44]

Just to add to the mix--I installed disks with the Scarebird adapters on my '50 Wayfarer. Everything worked perfectly. They give you a list of the various parts to get, along with part numbers for several different vendors (NAPA among them). The only tricky part was installing the adapters inside the inner bearings--chilling in the freezer--but it worked. I have put about 3000 miles on the conversion now, with good braking and no problems.

[Jacqualine47]

msawdey44, do you happen to have pics of your hub or spindle from while it was out? I'm still confused as to what the differences are between everything... I know that 46-up plymouths had different spindles from Dodges and Desotos - which is what makes Charlie's kit not work for the Desoto unless it has a set of Plymouth spindles installed... and apparently there is some sort of difference between 48 and 49 mopars... I'm just confused as to what it is - the thread I was referred to proposed a few ideas, but they were shot down by varying arguments. Right now the two prevailing theories are different spindle bolt patterns and the lack of studs for the hub... the latter doesn't make much sense though since it'd be pretty simple to drill and tap the hub and use full-thread studs.

[Jacqualine47]

+blink blink+

I just found the rather heated 'discussion' from December 2008 on the scarebird kit... ummm... and I thought that some of my girlfriends were drama queens LOL.

Seriously though, based solely on how unabashedly rude the scarebird rep was in that thread, the only possible way I would consider them would be if they had a kit that would fit the desoto spindles (which they don't - so its moot).

My apologies for bringing up a sore spot.

[Andydodge]

As far as I know........and I've only been playing with mother mopar since 1970 is that all Plymouth stub axles are the same from 1942 to 1956 is the US, we here in Oz kept kingpin front ends up to 1962 on our bastardised 54 Plymouths that we renamed Chrysler Royals up to 1962.....and that the 1940/41 Plymouth front ends can have the later stub axles installed simply by knocking out the king pins, and swaping the 1942-56(62 if your an aussie) stubs over.......my 1940 40 Oz Dodge(which you yanks would call a bastardised Plymouth) has been running 1962(read 1956 US) Oz stub axles since 1975 and hasn't been smart enough to argue the point.........lol.........andyd......btw I trust you have been taking notes as there will be a written exam later.......lol..........andyd

[Plymouthy Adams]

aw but the mid to late 30's Plymouths do have their own dedicated brake kit and it will work with a tad of machining to the stub up through 41...I have this setup on my 41 and it is a different bracket for the caliper as the spindle has two lower and two upper mounting bolts..I also stumpled upon an early Fatman advertisement whereas for our year Plymouths they actually reference Plydo for the kits as they at that time were not a reseller..and I always thought it was the other way around..

[Andydodge]

Tim, yep I know the 40/41 stub axles are the same as each other with the 2 bolts above the kingpin that hold the backing plate on, but from 42 to 56 the stub axles all have the single large bolt boss above the kingpin.............all years from 40 thru to 56 have the same two lower holes for the steering arm/brake adjuster bolts......andyd

[PatS....]

I've got Charlies kit for my 49 Chrysler, I bought the Plymouth spindles from Charlie and they fit the car just fine. He gives great customer service and the kit is first class.

I would cut a hole in the floorboards and copy Fred Flintstone before I would buy Scarebird. I've dealt with guys with that attitude before and would never knowingly do that again.

[Olddaddy]

In my experience, all of the three hole Plymouth spindles are the same from 42-59. They will interchange with Dodge, Chrysler, and DeSoto suspension directly without any modification. The earlier cars use the same spindle as all Dodge trucks from about 35-59, which has four holes. I believe you could install this spindle on any car from 35-59 also. My kits will fit either spindle from 35-59 and can be mounted on any vehicle from those years. My kits are $200 including shipping to lower 48 addresses which I believe makes them comparable if not cheaper than anyone elses on the market. Take a look at www.rustyhope.com for more info, or email me directly.

[msawdey44]

In response to Jacqualine's query--sorry, I didn't snap pictures while putting in the Scarebird conversion--I used to shoot everything in sight, but have gradually given in to "time's winged chariot hurrying near" and consider myself lucky to get the basic wrench-turning done.

There are apparently some differences, because Scarebird says they have to know exact year and model. Their adapter requires no drilling or tapping or other modifications, which probably explains requiring exact fit information. Since my Wayfarer has the same 10" drums as the Plymouths, I'm sort of assuming it shares other components, but I've been wrong before....

[rolliejoe]

I'd recommend Charlie's kit.

[Don Coatney]

Jacqualine;

You should post what car you are working on in your profile or your signature line. But if I understand this question you have a Crashler or Desoto. If this is so contact forum member James Douglas as he has converted his Desoto to disc brakes and he can tell you the details.