1965 a100

[leakyd]

I have a 1965 a100 window van.

Question:
Does anyone out there know how to convert the all drum brakes to disc in front? Or maybe just how to swap out the single master cylinder for a later model? This van cooks and stopping is DANGEROUS.

[Dodgevanman]

Yeahhhhh, now I'm not the only A-100 guy on the forum. Welcome!

There is a company called AAJ Brakes, www.aajbrakes.com that makes front disc brake kits for the A-100 trucks. There isn't a listing for the A's on the site, but you can talk to the gentleman directly via the contact info. on the website. Make sure you tell him whether you have 10" or 11" front brakes...the spindles are different.

Swapping to a dual master cyl. isn't hard. It would be hard for me type out step by step the process, but I will post a good picture of what it looks like along with a part no. for the master cyl. Stay tuned.......

Here's the pics. The master cyl. is A1 Cardone p/n 101323

[leakyd]

Thanks a bunch for the info. I emailed AAJ Brakes and haven't heard back yet. Is the master cylinder swap a pretty straightfoward thing or will I have to run different brake lines?

Did you keep the drums brakes on your own truck?

Thanks,
Dave

[Dodgevanman]

The picture you see is a factory dual master setup. I kept my drums, but I upgraded to 11" rear brakes from a 69 Chrysler. I've never had any trouble with the drum brakes so I personally don't see a need to swap to disc brakes yet. You'll need to get yourself a distribution block like you see mounted to the frame in the picture...you can find these on any drum brake Mopar from the 60's-early 70's in the boneyard. Of course you'll also be adding a proportioning valve if you go to disc brakes. It's a pretty straight forward swap, but you'll have to do some brake line fabrication and you'll need to modify your left side radiator support to accomodate the longer dual master cyl. As you can see in the pic, the factory support juts out in front of the master, but in a single master cylinder truck it doesn't.

[leakyd]

Same van, new question. Has anyone installed an elecrtic fan in an a100 or 108? I'm looking for advice on the best model for fitting.

[Dodgevanman]

I have an electric fan in my '69. I wired it using a relay and a switch on the dash since I don't trust those thermostat kits. I use the fan as a pusher in addition to the mechanical fan, however you can eliminate the mechanical fan and just use the electric as a puller.

I don't remember what size fan I have, but I think a 16" will work...just get one of those universal type fans that mount right to the radiator core.