Disk brake questions.

[cavtrooper78]

First off I started this thread after reading potlucksamys (prolly screwed that up) post about his setup, and he said he didn’t want it to turn into something it wasn’t so out of a desire not to hijack his thread I thought I’d quote and then ask my questions in a new thread. I tried to find more info about this but didn’t.

I know OP found his solution, but I didn't see a few other options listed here. I've found a few places that supply these kits and they're usually very expensive, ie: $2k+/axle. However Boyce Equipment is offering kits at the lowest prices I've seen. I don't know about the quality though there are a few videos on YouTube that reference these kits from people seemingly unconnected to Boyce.

2.5 Ton Front Hub Mount Disc Brake Kit | boyce-equipment (boyceequipment.com)

2.5 Ton Rear Hub Mount Disc Brake Kit | boyce-equipment (boyceequipment.com)

Motor Trend did an article on the Boyce kits in 2019. There wasn't a lot of information, but there were lots of pictures.

I want to do this so badly. I have questions though.[/QUOTE]

Brakes have been something I never really excelled at and am trying to educate myself.

My first question is what would you do with the front brakes?

Next, with the advantage of disc brakes if you have them on both rear axles would you even need brakes on the front axle?

Finally I wonder if that kit comes with the seemingly hard to find brackets or if one would have to have them made.

I’m just sick of the wheel cylinder issues already. I ordered 4 more for the rear and am going to just replace all of them at the same time with the same part from the same shop. Then I’ll get rebuild kits for the ones I take off and that way I have them on hand until I can do those rear axles. Maybe there’ll be a little more consistency.

 

[NY Tom]

Front brakes do most of the braking in many situations. I don't think you could get by without them no matter what.

 

[cavtrooper78]

Front brakes do most of the braking in many situations. I don't think you could get by without them no matter what.

I was wondering because I have not seen any front disc brake conversion kits. Only for the two rear axles.

 

[NY Tom]

Here is a kit for the front axle.

 

[cavtrooper78]

Thank you. Idk how I missed that.

 

[ah64pilot]

Any one have the drawings for the rear disc brake calipers ? No one is selling the brackets any more! Thanks

 

[ah64pilot]

Mounts that is!!!!

 

[sue]

about 4-5 years ago there was someone who made a full disc brake M-35
and if memory serves me this person used the brakes off of a ford F-700 ?
no and I can’t remember how the hubs were, but it was a slick install.

 

[cavtrooper78]

about 4-5 years ago there was someone who made a full disc brake M-35
and if memory serves me this person used the brakes off of a ford F-700 ?
no and I can’t remember how the hubs were, but it was a slick install.

That would be a lot less expensive I bet.


U.S. Army Retired
M35A2

 

[G744]

The deal on those kits is the bracketry to support the caliper, and machining the hub to allow a welded flange to mount the rotor on.

Any good machinist can build those parts to fit whatever caliper/rotor you find that will take the load OK.

I have a Ford F700, and the disc setups on it look just right for using on a deuce.

Jus sayin...but I don't have a 2.5 anymore. I need to do research for my 5-ton, tho.

 

[cavtrooper78]

The deal on those kits is the bracketry to support the caliper, and machining the hub to allow a welded flange to mount the rotor on.

Any good machinist can build those parts to fit whatever caliper/rotor you find that will take the load OK.

I have a Ford F700, and the disc setups on it look just right for using on a deuce.

Jus sayin...but I don't have a 2.5 anymore. I need to do research for my 5-ton, tho.

Do you think the 700 parts would bolt up without too much modification?

 

[sue]

A lot of the “monster” truck guys run the 2 1/2 axles ( along with the 5 ton)
and they run disc brakes. I would see about a little research in that area.
my background is aerospace and l am amazed that when there is a problem
most of the time a whole lot of engineering is wasted on reengineering the
the wheel. When the problem has already been solved by the sailboat,
heavy equipment, farming, aviation, hot rod,construction etc. community.
But usually no one ( or department) looks beyond there own area of
expertise.

 

[G744]

The 90's F700 parts would work fine for the GVW of the M35.

There will be no "bolt up" way, until someone makes and markets an adapter kit to go along with those parts.

 

[HanksDeuce]

Below is a page dedicated to the disc brake conversion on my bobbed deuce. Some of that information may be helpful to you.
https://hanksdeuce.com/disc_brake_conversion.htm

I ran that setup on the original air pack and master cylinder for almost 2 years. When I installed the Cummins 12 valve engine, I converted over to a Hydroboost setup for added safety.
https://hanksdeuce.com/hydroboost_install.htm

 

[montaillou]

To add my 2 cents:
The fabricator that worked on Hank's deuce (above) no longer does them. Also, they sold the drawings and the rights to someone else who may or may not in some undetermined time, in the future produce these. They're here on SS, but didn't have any sort of timeline when I contacted them a few months ago.

There was someone else, that Jeepsinker references in one of his videos who re-fabricated the Boyce brackets. However, this person has since sold their deuce, changed their name on Youtube and the person they had making the brackets from got "caught" doing them at work. He has suggested he might, one day in the future produce some more from another source, etc, etc.

My advice:
If you can't afford to buy from Boyce and time is on your side, maybe just keep checking and one of the above might eventually do something or maybe someone else will come out of the woodwork. If time is not on your side and/or you can afford it, I would recommend buying from Boyce sooner than later. Why? Well, Boyce has pretty much had the same price since 2019. I'm just guessing, but I think they probably ordered a batch of these back then and have been selling them for the original price until they sell out. If that is the case, next time they order a batch they will certainly cost more. Again, this is just a guess, for all I know they fabricate them themselves and don't really pay attention to inflation. Boyce had a sale for the month of December where they knock 10% off, if you were gonna order all 3 axles you could always call them and ask if they could offer some sort of discount - I've done this with big orders from other part retailers and gotten a 10% discount. Couldn't hurt to ask. There's also the chance that Boyce may run out of stock and decide not to sell them anymore.

I ordered my 3 axles at the end of December and they just came today.

 

[cavtrooper78]

Below is a page dedicated to the disc brake conversion on my bobbed deuce. Some of that information may be helpful to you.
https://hanksdeuce.com/disc_brake_conversion.htm

I ran that setup on the original air pack and master cylinder for almost 2 years. When I installed the Cummins 12 valve engine, I converted over to a Hydroboost setup for added safety.
https://hanksdeuce.com/hydroboost_install.htm

Wow that’s very good work and very detailed. Gonna take some time to go through but I’m gonna enjoy it that’s for sure. Thank you