Brake Upgrade for CJ3A

[Gunslinger]

Gents,
Looking for some advice from the "A Team" here.  I've got a set of factory brakes on my 50 3A, I have nev er been happy with them.  They seem to require continual adjustment and service, the brake pedal is hard to push and it just seems that they are much less effective than they should be.

I've got two roads to go down here, I can tear the brakes a part and do a complete factory re-build, my fear is that I will end up with what I have now, or I can do an upgrade, what do you guys suggest?  Does anyone have a good upgrade that is relatively easy to install?  What are your thougths, looking for suggestions.
Gun

[mtnman37879]

I'm currently restoring a 1950 CJ3A and I have decided to go with 11" brakes all around. The stock 16" wheels fit over these brakes. I'm using 1972 CJ5 brake parts. The other option was disc brakes from a GEO Tracker. i bought the bolt on  brackets to hold the calipers and the rest of the parts are stock Tracker. The reason for not going this way was that the stock 16" wheels do not fit over the caliper.

[Bob W]

With 11" brakes it will stop on a dime and there is very little modification that needs to be done to make them fit.

[aboyandhisdog]

I have the 11" brakes also and am very happy with them.  Be advised that the primary shoe is in the opposite position as with the 9" brakes.  I am forgetting which is which, but I believe the primary shoe goes in the rear position whereas it is in the front position on the 9" brakes.  But don't take my word for it! :-?

[64CJ5]

Several years ago I got an 11" kit from Mile High Jeep in Denver for our CJ5.  They stop the Jeep with authority.  I am very happy with this up grade and I am planing on putting the 11" brakes on my 52 M-38.      

[Gunslinger]

Thanks guys, couple questions, the 9 and 11 inch brakes mentioned here, are these the size of the brake shoe using the original drums, and master/ wheel cylinders or are we talking about a set of disc brakes with external calipers and discs?  Additional Qusetion, Mile High Jeep in Denver, do they have a web site?  I looked for them and they didn't come up in a google search.  Thanks Gun

[Bob W]

Drum brakes are measured by the inside diameter of the brake drum. 9" is stock for an early CJ. In the '70s CJs went to self adjusting 11" drum brakes. This is what most 11" conversion parts are based on. Early Wagons and Trucks also used 11" brakes but they are less desirable.

[athawk11]

Gun,
Sadly, Mile High Jeep is long gone.

Tim

[Dutch_Jeeper]

I'm in the middle of planning and sourcing parts to upgrade to discs all around. There is some great info for it here https://g503.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=236383

Depending on where you can get the parts, right know i'm looking at around 450-600 dollar for all the parts as good as new or new included having the brackets made.

The good thing about this upgrade is you do not need to grind anything off the knuckles, no extra drilling welding anywhere, simple bolt on upgrade so you can always go back easily if ever originality becomes a priority.

The way i look at it personally is the extra safety this provides in stopping power does not justify sticking to originality and drumbrakes if you participate in modern traffic on a regular basis. Not only for you and your Jeep but others also.

[Gunslinger]

Guys, I found this guy, just doing some research but it sounds promising, no cutting welding or drilling.  Keep you posted.
Gun

From: Partsdude4x4 <partsdude4x4@hughes.net>
Sent: Wednesday, February 7, 2018 11:21:22 AM
To: 'Todd and Sue Gabrielson'
Subject: RE: Brake conversion- upgrade kit for CJ3a

 

$695.00, most of the parts are 1978-81 CJ parts

 

-Don

[mtnman37879]

 Suzuki GEO Tracker Disc Brakes Easy disc brakes. Bolt on, no cutting or grinding. All the parts are at any auto parts store. Get the mounting brackets here:

https://www.facebook.com/brennan.metcalf.37/posts/762109110580994

[Dutch_Jeeper]

Guys, I found this guy, just doing some research but it sounds promising, no cutting welding or drilling.� Keep you posted.
Gun

From: Partsdude4x4 <partsdude4x4@hughes.net>
Sent: Wednesday, February 7, 2018 11:21:22 AM
To: 'Todd and Sue Gabrielson'
Subject: RE: Brake conversion- upgrade kit for CJ3a

 

$695.00, most of the parts are 1978-81 CJ parts

 

-Don

The only problem with using those parts is that you have to grind down the knuckle. Very similar to this upgrade:

http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/transmission-drivetrain/154-0704-early-jeep-disk-brake-conversion/

Personally the last thing i want to do is having to grind down the knuckle to make it fit, and a pretty fair bit to if you ask me. Going the Suzuki Geotracker part way does not require any grinding and makes this imho the best upgrade with respect to your Jeep. Anything that requires to cut into original parts that cannot be undone ever is a no go imho.

[Gunslinger]

Here's the product description from the web site, curious as to what you guys think.
Gun

Product Description

Disc brake kit for Dana 25/27 closed knuckles axles. This kit is designed to work with 15" stock Jeep rims that came with drum brakes and requires no grinding to the knuckle.
Wear parts in this kit are over the counter parts that can be purchased at any auto parts store. Part numbers for these parts will be included in the kit as well as the vehicles that use these parts. Kit designed to work on all stock 15" Jeep rims. No grinding necessary to the knuckles with this kit. Kit includes detailed mounting instructions, 2 preassembled 7/8" rotors, wheel hubs and wheel studs, 4 Timken bearings, 2 seals, 4 bearing cups, 2 1/4" aluminum wheel spacers, 2 standard rubber brake lines, 2 caliper mounting brackets, 2 loaded calipers with pads and hanger brackets, 10 wheel lug nuts, 2 wheel spindle nut kits, 2 banjo bolts, all the mounting hardware needed to install this kit.
Warranty Information
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[aboyandhisdog]

They mention only 15" wheels.  Do you think they are saying it won't work with 16" wheels?  Why would that be???

[Gunslinger]

They mention only 15" wheels.� Do you think they are saying it won't work with 16" wheels?� Why would that be???

That seems to be a consistent message on these brake conversions, I looked at Herms site yesterday and was pretty excited about his options.  He offers an 11 inch drum brake kit for all 4 wheels that includes a dual reservoir master cylinder for about 800 bucks.  But there is a warning that "some original 15 and 16 inch wheels may not fit on the drums".  I think I'm going to call them and get more info before I dive in.  I would hate to be surprised by needing a wheel purchase.