Suggestion for front rotors

[Scott Klassen]

Have been searching for disc brake options for another 51 Dodge I own. Truck is a one ton and I cannot work with the lock ring rims on it. Decided to use the 1/2 ton front axle out of the 52 that I am putting the Volare clip in to get disc brakes and regular tubeless rims on it. After searching for an afternoon on the net, I find that the 1995-2006 Ford Ranger has the same outer and inner wheel bearings as Dodge 1/2 tons from the 40's to the mid sixties. Bolt circle is 5 on 4.5" as per original, and rotor is only 4.25" high. I don't have one of these rotors around but it sounds like a good option to directly bolt on some disc brake rotors.

[Merle Coggins]

I believe our Forum friend Charlie Akers (aka Olddaddy) has kits for putting disc brakes on the front of our trucks. Check him out at http://www.rustyhope.com/page2.html

Merle

[Scott Klassen]

I know all about the kits from Oldaddy, but the rotors he is using (Volare I believe) require spacers on the inboard side for the bearings to work. The Ranger rotors don't necessitate a spacer. Important to a hobbyist on a budget. And the rotors for the Ranger are half as much money as the Volare ones. I understand Charley's system works, I was just spitballing for another idea. The only downside I can see is that the Ranger rotors are 10.25" in diameter and the Volare ones are 10.97". Some loss of braking area, but still substantially more than most midsize vehicles. One upside of the smaller rotor is the clearance for original wheels, from what I can ascertain.

[Young Ed]

Ok if those rotors fit right up against the back of the spindle where/how do you attach the caliper?

[Scott Klassen]

I am not sure of the inset/outset of the hub in the rotor. As I said, I don't have one to measure off of. But I believe that even in Olddaddy's setup, the caliper mount attaches to the inside of the spindle, therefore there is no clearance issues with the rotor and the outside of the spindle