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Steetrod suspension ID

Discussion in 'Off Topic Hot Rods & Customs' started by 409 for ever, Apr 11, 2025.

  1. 409 for ever
    Joined: Aug 17, 2010
    Posts: 30

    409 for ever
    Member

    20250412_092936.jpg 20250412_092914.jpg 20250412_092903.jpg 20250311_110337.jpg 20250411_144230.jpg 20250412_092812.jpg 20250412_092852.jpg Working on a 37 chevrolet with updated suspension but can't seem to come up with what it is
    Narrowed the brakes down to very early Mazda/Ford Courier pickups
    Brake parts are Akebono 9 inch rotors found some calipers (we think) but no 9 inch rotors only 10 inch
    See pictures maybe someone will recognize
    Car was built probably in the 80s
    Any help
    Thanks in advance
    Here are some additional pictures of the front suspension
    This suspension has shocks and the lower ball joint has one thru bolt and a single bolt for stability see image
    20250411_144230.jpg View attachment 6371150 View attachment 6371151 20250411_144230.jpg View attachment 6371150 View attachment 6371151 View attachment 6371152
     
    Last edited: Apr 12, 2025
  2. gimpyshotrods
    Joined: May 20, 2009
    Posts: 24,513

    gimpyshotrods
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Maybe circa 1974 Ford Courier.
     
  3. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 59,925

    squirrel
    Member

    wonder why rockauto only shows drum brake parts for the early Courier? :)

    wouldn't hurt to get some better pictures, showing the whole front suspension....just in case someone might recognize it. Just stand back a foot or two further, when taking the pictures.
     
    nunattax likes this.
  4. Moriarity
    Joined: Apr 11, 2001
    Posts: 37,449

    Moriarity
    SUPER MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    Moved to the off topic forum
     
  5. Phillips
    Joined: Oct 26, 2010
    Posts: 1,787

    Phillips
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    Ford Courier '72-'85 (mini truck) = Mazda b series, disc brakes were available in later years. I believe those were all 6 x 5.5 bolt pattern also, but I recall a funky disc with a 'hat' that could probably be re-drilled to a different pattern.
     
  6. 409 for ever
    Joined: Aug 17, 2010
    Posts: 30

    409 for ever
    Member

    Here is a picture of the disc and hat bolt pattern is 4-1/2x5
    The disc is 9 inch but can't only find 10 inch
     
  7. 409 for ever
    Joined: Aug 17, 2010
    Posts: 30

    409 for ever
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    Posted more pictures of suspension
     
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  8. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 59,925

    squirrel
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    did you remove a few pictures of the calipers? where it had letters/numbers

    The other pictures are great, unfortunately can't find anything like that lower ball joint anywhere
     
  9. 409 for ever
    Joined: Aug 17, 2010
    Posts: 30

    409 for ever
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    Sorry here are the pictures 20250311_110345.jpg 20250311_105246.jpg
     
  10. 409 for ever
    Joined: Aug 17, 2010
    Posts: 30

    409 for ever
    Member

    20250412_094318.jpg 20250412_094315.jpg 20250412_094255.jpg
     
  11. 409 for ever
    Joined: Aug 17, 2010
    Posts: 30

    409 for ever
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    I found a ball joint similar to the one on the lower a arm Mazda mz5
     
    squirrel likes this.
  12. Phillips
    Joined: Oct 26, 2010
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    Phillips
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    That adapter hat thing on the disc is what I recall, except in 6 bolt, from some brake jobs back in the '80s on a Mazda B. But that was a LONG time ago!

    Here's a pic of a '73 Courier from a Bring A Trailer ad - similar-ish but not the same:
    upload_2025-4-12_11-30-31.png
     
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  13. Phillips
    Joined: Oct 26, 2010
    Posts: 1,787

    Phillips
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    Just a thought - possibly late 70s Toyota Hilux? They had 5x4.5 bolt pattern.
     
  14. MAD MIKE
    Joined: Aug 1, 2009
    Posts: 964

    MAD MIKE
    Member
    from 94577

    Highly suggest measuring those rotors in all dimensions.
    Diameter, thickness, height, registrr bore and bolt circle. Metric will give you accurate numbers.

    Hub over rotor design is more common from the import market. Datsun/Nissan was a fanboi of this design.
    For a 9" solid rotor, if it is a front HOR type, maybe look at Toyota Tercels.

    Otherwise if the rotor is a 9" version of the 10" Mazda Courier, dimensionally, might be easier to simply have the 10" rotor machined down to 9".
    With the solid rotor I would not be worried about balance issues that a vented rotor may have.

    Albeit that front brake setup clears drum type rims. Would be a shame to not utilize that feature.
     
  15. Phillips
    Joined: Oct 26, 2010
    Posts: 1,787

    Phillips
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    Screengrab from a 70s Hilux front end rebuild - looks pretty similar (if one ignores the coilovers)
    upload_2025-4-13_12-34-29.png
     
  16. 409 for ever
    Joined: Aug 17, 2010
    Posts: 30

    409 for ever
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    Very similar on the cross member for sure
    The lower ball joint that are on mine appears to be like these which are for a mazda hilux has a 3 bolt ball joint 20250414_094702.jpg
     
  17. 409 for ever
    Joined: Aug 17, 2010
    Posts: 30

    409 for ever
    Member

    Thanks to everyone that have given their input on this suspension and brake issue
    Still on the search for the a-arm manufacture and the brakes,have considered possible trying to get an updated conversion for the front
    Second want to get everyone's input on the brake hydraulic system on this car It appears that the master cylinder may be undersized for this car and that there isn't a proportional valve in the system
    master cylinder is plumbed directly to the cylinder on the vacuum booster then a tee to front and rear brakes
    disc on front Drum on the rear
    Customer wants to install 4 wheel disc
    Thoughts
    Thanks in Advance
    wayne
     
  18. 409 for ever
    Joined: Aug 17, 2010
    Posts: 30

    409 for ever
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    Here are some images of the hydraulic brake system this a remote system 20250423_105245.jpg 20250423_105257.jpg 20250423_105302.jpg 20250423_105336.jpg 20250423_105257.jpg 20250423_105302.jpg 20250423_105336.jpg
     
  19. gene-koning
    Joined: Oct 28, 2016
    Posts: 5,769

    gene-koning
    Member

    That single reservoir master cylinder may not be able to provide enough brake fluid volume to operate 4 wheel disc brakes, but that will depend on the size of the 4 disc brake calipers used in the system.
    Once the brake system you intend to use is identified, the master cylinder can be determined by the needs of the brake system installed.
    Does the current system use a mater cylinder to activate a remote master cylinder with a booster on it and that master cylinder activates the brakes? Looks pretty strange to me.
     
  20. 409 for ever
    Joined: Aug 17, 2010
    Posts: 30

    409 for ever
    Member

    To answer your question
    yes the single master cylinder goes directly to the cylinder on the booster without Proportional valve then to all 4 wheels
    The system looks weak to me also
    I have read that some are not using any sort of power ***ist but rather a corvette style master cylinder with a 1 inch piston without any problems
    The rear conversion will be for a 1970 Camaro Rear axle the front is still in planning stage
     
  21. redo32
    Joined: Jul 16, 2008
    Posts: 2,308

    redo32
    Member

    That combination of fruit jar master cylinder and remote booster was commonly sold by streetrod dealers in the 1970's before the dual master cylinder and smaller boosters were fazed in. That booster was factory on 1957 TBird.
     
  22. 409 for ever
    Joined: Aug 17, 2010
    Posts: 30

    409 for ever
    Member

    Thanks for that info
    I knew this was an older build but not sure how old
     
  23. disturbio
    Joined: Aug 15, 2013
    Posts: 11

    disturbio

    If you use a hilux the 75-78 is the better match
     
  24. 409 for ever
    Joined: Aug 17, 2010
    Posts: 30

    409 for ever
    Member

    To All
    Just a follow up on the 37 Chevrolet front suspension, After several hours on the internet and help from y'all the front suspension is from a early 70's Toyota Corona very much like the Hilux but smaller
    Now for additional info needed on Brakes The customer wanted rear disc he did state that the brakes were weak.
    Car has a 70's Camaro rear axle so no big deal but went ahead installed rear disc brakes but also renew all hydraulics Brakes feel good as far as the the hydraulics part but doesn't feel the power part . Has good vacuum to booster and booster is holding vacuum but feels like manual brakes Have disconnected booster while car running with foot on pedal dose not push back up or when vacuum applied will not drop out
    The booster is a 7 inch single diaphragm with dual corvette style m/c
    Thanks in advance for your help
    Wayne
     
  25. badshifter
    Joined: Apr 28, 2006
    Posts: 3,627

    badshifter
    Member

    Throw away the single diaphragm 7 inch booster and go with a minimum of an 8 inch dual diaphragm booster.
     
    Happydaze likes this.
  26. 409 for ever
    Joined: Aug 17, 2010
    Posts: 30

    409 for ever
    Member

    Thanks I have one on order
     

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