Original drum brakes worked fine in 1965, but today's traffic is a different story. A front disc brake conversion is one of the best safety upgrades you can make to a classic car or truck. You get shorter stops, less fade, and a pedal you can trust.
Why Convert from Drum to Disc Brakes?
- Shorter, straighter stops. Disc brakes don't pull or grab like worn drums can.
- Less brake fade. Rotors shed heat much better, so the brakes keep working on long downhills or repeated stops.
- Better in the wet. Water slings off a rotor fast. Drums can hold water and lose bite.
- Easier maintenance. Swapping pads is a lot faster than adjusting drums.
What's in a Conversion Kit?
A complete kit usually includes rotors, calipers, caliper brackets, pads, hoses, hardware and often new spindles. Power kits add a booster, master cylinder and a proportioning or combination valve. Buying a complete kit makes sure every part works together.
Power or Manual Brakes?
Manual disc brakes work, but they need more pedal effort. Power brakes with a vacuum booster make the car much easier to drive. If your engine has a big cam and low vacuum, look at a smaller booster or an electric vacuum pump.
Don't Forget the Proportioning Valve
When you go disc front and keep drums in the rear, you need the right valve to balance pressure front to rear. An adjustable proportioning valve lets you dial it in so the rear doesn't lock up first.
Can I Do It Myself?
If you're comfortable with basic suspension work and bleeding brakes, yes. Bolt-on kits are made to install with hand tools. Bleed the system thoroughly and bed in the new pads before hard driving. If you're not sure, have a qualified shop do the install, because brakes are not the place to guess.
Shop all brake parts and conversion kits or call 888-212-5640 and we'll help you match a kit to your car.
