Ugly Truckling down, new source of discs?

[tbone1004]

I recently had my brake pedal go to the floor, luckily in the driveway, but still a major inconvenience. I am debating on just bucking up and going the disc route on all four wheels and save the good drums and pads for those that are doing restorations.

All this being said, the local NAPA can't get the replacement master cylinder that is recommended on here, which is weird because it's still on their website, and since I have access to a full machine shop, I figured I'd see if anyone had the blueprints for these or maybe if Charles was making them in house for his projects etc.

Just trying to avoid reinventing the wheel

[w30bob]

T,

Are you asking for info on the original master cylinder......or the one recommended for the disc brake conversion?

bob

[jimmy_stikx]

Check speedway for the M/C. That''s who I got mine from.

As for blue-prints, you should be able to figure out the brackets from mocking up the calipers to the hubs.

[tbone1004]

I figured if I'm going through the bother of looking at the master cylinder, I may as well replace it with a dual

Apparently the website is back up, so maybe it's not a total loss.

[Brett]

A while back I saw a conversion on the Steel Soldiers site that converted the M37 hubs to 8 lug and added disc brakes. The original poster was very helpful, and I got some pics and drawings. He used Surplus Humvee wheels and tires, which is an idea I like.





I have a few more Pics and Drawings In my album here. http://g741.org/photogallery/main.php?g2_itemId=12591

Brett

[MSeriesRebuild]

We are about to have the disc brake conversion kits available for outright sale for both M37 and civilian Dodge Power Wagon trucks. In fact we got the first run of components back from the machinist last week. Ours is a somewhat differing design and built to much greater precision specs than the previously available kits.

I have considered building kits for sale for some time now, but had held off not wanting to infringe on Ray's business. Now that his seem to have disappeared, and considering the fact we need kits in some quantity to fill our own in house needs; we should have new high quality components ready to go in the next few weeks. It is not possible to calculate exact cost just yet, I will post pricing info as soon as we are far enough along to figure that out.

My intention is to offer this 2 ways; only the custom machined components or as a complete kit that includes everything. This would mean you don't have to source anything at all locally; buyer's choice.

It will be imperative that original hubs come to us for necessary modification and direct return. Core hubs are simply not out there in sufficient numbers for us to supply modified hubs with no cores returned so that we have a constant flow.

If you have questions or interest in purchasing, let me know at:

mseriesrebuild@windstream.net

or by phone during normal business hours:

704-474-4683, ask for Charles

[jimmy_stikx]

Brett,

Do you have the link to the steelsoldier's thread?

[Brett]

Jimmy,
The thread no longer exists. I believe he was selling his truck and the discussion was in the classifieds. when he pulled the add or it expired it all disappeared. You could probably PM him on the SS site. I think he goes by Coop.

Brett

[jimmy_stikx]

Explains why I couldn't find it by searching the site. I'll see if I can find him, though from reading the scan and looking at the pics, it looks fairly straight forward and that the rotor is held on by the lugs.

[Tuko]

We are about to have the disc brake conversion kits available for outright sale for both M37 and civilian Dodge Power Wagon trucks. In fact we got the first run of components back from the machinist last week. Ours is a somewhat differing design and built to much greater precision specs than the previously available kits.

I have considered building kits for sale for some time now, but had held off not wanting to infringe on Ray's business. Now that his seem to have disappeared, and considering the fact we need kits in some quantity to fill our own in house needs; we should have new high quality components ready to go in the next few weeks. It is not possible to calculate exact cost just yet, I will post pricing info as soon as we are far enough along to figure that out.

My intention is to offer this 2 ways; only the custom machined components or as a complete kit that includes everything. This would mean you don't have to source anything at all locally; buyer's choice.

It will be imperative that original hubs come to us for necessary modification and direct return. Core hubs are simply not out there in sufficient numbers for us to supply modified hubs with no cores returned so that we have a constant flow.

If you have questions or interest in purchasing, let me know at:

mseriesrebuild@windstream.net

or by phone during normal business hours:

704-474-4683, ask for Charles

thats great news!

[topellis]

Charles,
Will yours be basically the same type kit as Ray's? OR will yours have the option of hubs that take hummer wheels?

Thanks for any info.
Mark

[MSeriesRebuild]

Charles,
Will yours be basically the same type kit as Ray's? OR will yours have the option of hubs that take hummer wheels?

Thanks for any info.
Mark

I could do an option for different rims; but we have no need for it on our projects at this time.

[k8icu]

I know you don't have cost figured out, but if there is anyway to bring the cost down I think you will have better sales. With Ray's set up you had to ship your hubs to and from the machine shop. Depending on where you live that could be expensive shipping. Pay for the cost of the machining. Get the kit from Ray and then the parts needed from the autoparts store and when you are all said and done you've spent a grand or so on the brakes and that's just for the fronts. So, if you can bring that cost down by say half I'm sure your sales of the product will be better. Just my $.02 for what it's worth. Good luck I hope it works out for you.

[MSeriesRebuild]

I know you don't have cost figured out, but if there is anyway to bring the cost down I think you will have better sales. With Ray's set up you had to ship your hubs to and from the machine shop. Depending on where you live that could be expensive shipping. Pay for the cost of the machining. Get the kit from Ray and then the parts needed from the autoparts store and when you are all said and done you've spent a grand or so on the brakes and that's just for the fronts. So, if you can bring that cost down by say half I'm sure your sales of the product will be better. Just my $.02 for what it's worth. Good luck I hope it works out for you.

Think about this; you think the cost should come down to half. We have not done any business with Ray in a number of years, really I have no idea of his current asking price, or if he has stock to offer, but I seriously doubt that 50% of the cost is profit that could be cut. It simply doesn't matter anyway. You are right about one thing, the cheaper it is, the better it sells; BUT there is the matter of decent quality materials and workmanship, neither of which has come down in cost for years, and shows no signs of doing so that I've noticed. I wish I could do that, but we do live in a REAL world, so I doubt if it will work out that way. Then there is also the matter of liability, we will not put any substandard components out in the marketplace, especially in the area of brakes, steering, etc. If I don't feel safe without doubt running it on my truck; it WILL NOT be going out of our doors. Whether it is Ray, me, or whomever, if there is no profit involved, neither of us can afford to do it, PERIOD. We'll have to get everything finished up before cost can be calculated, we'll just have to see how all that comes out.

We are doing this primarily for use on our own projects, we will have enough stock on hand for retail sale also. No product of quality comes at bargain basement cost. It doesn't come into our possession that way, so we can't send it out that way either and keep the doors open.

[RMS]

there is the matter of decent quality materials and workmanship, neither of which has come down in cost for years, and shows no signs of doing so that I've noticed.

Ive found that the price has gone up for quality material and machining and that's if you can find the material or a shop that can do the work. here in vancouver bc the property value has skyrocketed forcing shops to move out of town or close up. ten years ago there was a dozen places I could go to have brakes relined now there is only one. in today's disposable plastic society there is no such thing as progress it's all regress. I think "they" intentionally left out the most important R's in recycling....Repair refurbish and restore.

Looking forward to your brake conversion kit Charles

cheers
Robyn