1929 model A brake upgrade

I am running mechanical brakes on the 29 rpu at the moment, but i would like to upgrade to juice brakes. I have a good set of backingplates, hubs, shoes, and drums from a 1959 ford f100. What do I have to do to adapt these to my stock spindles. I am running the later 16 in spoke wheels so do I need a spacer to fit the wheels to the flat drums? I am on a very limited budget and trying to use what I already have. Also what do I use for the rear. I am running the stock banjo.

Everything I have read about using f100 parts is on the later spindles, I need some help. I know someone hase done this swap.

 

The 16 inch wheels do not work on F 100 drums....I found on here a bracket to mount a MC to Model a frame...It cost me about 150. to build..only had to drill on additional hole and used stock pedal....I do not recall who posted it...its not hard to do a search on here

 

you will need 48-52 f1 or 53-56 f100 front brakes to start with, not the 59's. typically, 39-48 passenger brakes or 39-47 1/2 ton truck brakes are used for the model a conversion. the 39-48 passenger, 39-47 1/2 ton, and the f1 or f100 brakes will bolt right up to a 37-48 spindle without further adaptation, so i'd consider using those. a very good conversion can also be made using 42-47 1/2 ton truck passenger side spindles and bolt-on steering arms. i'm not at all confident that any f1 or f100 rear drum can be adapted with the stock model a rear axle; one big factor being the 11" diameter, placing the wheel cylinder closer to the axle tube, rear radius arm etc. another factor is that the f1/f100 drums do not have the tapered/ keyed axle shaft hubs like the 37-48 passenger, etc.

in any case, the rear backing plate will have to be rotated or turned upside down for the wheel cylinder to clear the rear spring perch.

 

you have been here since 07 and you havent seen this question 300 times?

 

Its on here just have to do the search.....

 

I have read a lot of previous post about using the later spindles but I also was curious why not to use the 29 spindles. thanks for the help.

 

the 29 spindles have a different pattern, so the backing plates need to be re-drilled and the register (step) diameter that the backing plate fits onto is smaller on the 29 and requires a spacer that is available from Mac's, etc. the 37-48 spindles are forged instead of cast and are lots beefier too.


if you are dead-set on using the 29 spindles, get the spacers first. unbolt all the 29 stuff, install the spacers to register the new plate...strip the new backing plate of all brake hardware...clamp it in place on the spindle with a couple of deep welding c-clamps...use a properly sized transfer punch to mark the new holes. remove the backing plate & drill it on a drill press

 

Catnip..... do a search for "gashog"
He is a member here who has documented the Model A conversion very well, with lots of pics. You'll need to sell your 59 stuff and buy 40-48 drums and backing plates. Also 37-41 spindles, and a set of spacer rings for the 16" wires, from Speedway, Tardel, Hot Rod Co, Riley etc. You can use the A spindles with an adapter kit from Speedway and keep all your A draglink, tierod etc.

 

Thank you guys very much. This helps a lot.

 

Has anyone heard of anyone putting 1970's to 1990's F150 rotors on 1929 spindles? I see the kits for the 37-48 spindles but not the 29. I really dont have the money to get the later spindles right now.