How-To Model A Bucket Re-creation Project: Disc Brake Adaption

Falcon rotors and Commodore calipers to early Ford stub axles

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The fitting of disc brakes onto early Ford stub axles is a swap that has been done many times in many different ways. One of the most popular methods favoured when fitting disc brakes like this first became popular was to use XR-XT Falcon solid discs and hubs with adaptors to allow the bearings to fit the early Ford stub axles. My ’30 Model A pickup has these brakes and they have been doing great service for 30 years. I also used a set on the front axle fitted under my ’32 Ford hiboy roadster project that still languishes in storage (I will get back to it one day).

A natural update for this swap was to opt for the XW-XY discs when they became readily available and they were a better performing brake, thanks to their vented rotors. This swap is still popular today and that’s what I decided would best suit the Model A bucket project. Yes, there are more modern variations available, but I thought the XY option best reflected the period style this bucket is designed to emulate.