Brake Updates... How Far to Go?

J

jonnevik35

New member
I picked up an 800a a couple of weeks ago that has 31,000 miles on it and I would like to go through the brakes to make it safer for the family. I posted on the basic tech forum but thought I would try here.

Here are the specs;
1970 Scout 800a
amc 232 6 cyl engine
Dana 30 front axel
Dana 44 rear axel w/ 3.73 gears
t14 3 speed trans

I have read a lot of the great insight that you guys have given, and hoping that you are able/willing to do it once again. I have a limited budget as I am the proud father of 1 year old twin boys, so I am trying to go practical and will need to take this one step at a time. I want this as a weekend cruiser with the occasional off-road trek, mostly back woods / farm roads, nothing extreme. I don't want to end up throwing money toward something only to find out it is going to be replaced because I should have done something differently.

1) is my money best spent replacing the drums, using a rebuild kit and replacing the brake lines?
2) on another post I saw a disc brake conversion kit. Any advantage over the drum set up (never had to service drum brakes)? brakes
3) and then there is the Scout II axel swap which I think is more than I need to tackle?!? Although a little bit more speed for the highways would be nice. I am not looking to go over a 31-33" tire and think there are cheaper and easier ways to make this work if necessary.

I appreciate your thoughts!
 
I picked up an 800a a couple of weeks ago
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I have read a lot
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It is best to know the condition of the brakes you have now. I would strongly recommend that you get a service manual and read the sections detailing brake service. The one for the 80/800 is pretty good as it gives a bit of info on how the brakes function. I suggest you read it, then read it again as you go through the procedures on your vehicle. Keep it simple and once you get familiar with them and how they are working for you, then any mods or "upgrades" would be understandable for you.

These didn't come broke, though some overdue maintenance is always as issue. If you question your brake drums, take them to a mechanic who does professional brake work. He would have a drum measuring caliper that can determine if they can be turned or are at their limit.

I've found that for the moderate wheeling like you are planning, stock brakes work fine. I too have been on budgets, and keeping stock has saved money for the stuff that really needed attention like rebuilding the transmission and getting tools.

Basics first has helped keep my Scout on the road and not so much in the shop.

Much of the info and mods out there are from people who have tailored their rigs to suit their Need or driving style. Just drive and see what you like or might make better.
 
If you want to save money don't upgrade the brakes until you need to. Get what you got running and working, but if it can't you should consider upgrading to disks.
First check brake fluid in the master cylinder. If you have fluid try the brakes, if you have pressure then go under the vehicle and follow the break lines from the mc to each wheel cylinder/backing plate. If you see rusting, broken, leaking, kinked, dented metal brake lines then those will need to be replaced.. Check your soft rubber lines for cracking, leaking, cuts etc.. If any of those conditions exist then replace the soft lines.

If you don't need to use the vehicle right away take the drums off (procedure outlined in the service manual) and have them checked out. Inspect the brakes and shoes. Wheel cylinders for the early scouts are not that expensive.. Though you have to watch out for cheap bleeder valves. I replace them with bulk valves from the parts store when I buy them. The crap they come with these days strip out easily.. And that is frustrating.

If the drums are hosed you might be able to find replacements cheep enough, but you should also look into upgrading to disc brakes at that point. There are lots of guides for a Dana 44 to disc and I know I have seen Dana 30 to disks, but I can't quite think of a specific example. All parts needed are usually listed and what cars they came out of for junk yard scavaging.

That's just my input.. There are lots of ways to go depending on who you talk to.
 
Thank you guys for the insight, I agree that working with what is there would be best, but in going through the brakes I am leaking at the hard lines and the drums are close to the end of their life. I have been doing some more digging and it seems that a disc brake conversion using Chevy 1/2 ton parts is a pretty cheap and easy way to go about it.

I haven't had a chance to go salvage yard exploring, but did find a kit and was wondering if anyone had used something similar or what your thoughts were.

deluxe disc brake kit 1947-1959 Chevy half-ton pickup - speedway motors, america's oldest speed shop
 
jonnevik35 said:
thank you guys for the insight, I agree that working with what is there would be best, but in going through the brakes I am leaking at the hard lines and the drums are close to the end of their life. I have been doing some more digging and it seems that a disc brake conversion using Chevy 1/2 ton parts is a pretty cheap and easy way to go about it.

I haven't had a chance to go salvage yard exploring, but did find a kit and was wondering if anyone had used something similar or what your thoughts were.

deluxe disc brake kit 1947-1959 Chevy half-ton pickup - speedway motors, america's oldest speed shop
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The Chevy parts build up is a great way to go. The most experience person I know in working in Chevy parts on the cheep is chris pucci. There are bound to be posts by him on one of the major sites covering this. He also roams here frequently.
 
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