Pro Tool Disc Brake Conversion Price

I spoke with Rich today and has figured out the prices for the disc brake conversion kit. It will be $850 an axle. That includes the modifed hubs and caliper mounting brakets. He does need a core back for the hubs. There will is a deposit required to cover the cost of the material, I think it was $100 per axle. He will only be doing this if he can get a minimum of four orders, in order to getter a better rate for the burn table. Remember this kit uses Ford F350 13" disc brakes on all four corners with dual piston calipers. The disc and calpiers are off the shelf and do not require any modifacations before being used. Call Rich Brandi at (610)275-5667 to ask any questions or to order the kit.

WOW. I was thinking the $600-$1000 ballpark figure, which was pretty good, was for four not two.
I'm still gonna call and order though- I'll just grumble about the cost till I get to install them.
I call after lunch.
I just hope we get a fourth.

It's a little steep, but I need brakes 'cause I don't have any right now.

A fella still has to supply the calipers and/or rotors right?

Spicer, that is correct. Rich only supplies the brackets and machined hubs. Mike.

Shame he's not setting them up for 1 ton chevy calipers. They're a LOT less then the fords. I've been checking lately.

so how many people are in on this?

I tried calling Rich a few times yesterday, but I got no answer at his shop. My original plan was to get the 4 wheel set up, but my wife just got a lay-off notice from Prudential and the company I'm working for is supposed to announce "major changes" in the service department. I'm hoping to get all 4 but the job situation could limit me to only getting the front brakes. Gotta love big corporations, work hard for your lay-off. Mike.

I haven't been able to get a hold of Rich, but I got a message into him today (Thurs.) I'm still going front and rear, regardless of the pain....I think it will be worth it in the end.

I talked with Rich in depth today and I felt bad about groaning over the price. He is a very sincere guy and some :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: viewing this post told Rich people were talking all kinds $%it about him again, mostly about the price....well, the biggest whiner has been ME... AND I am unwavering when it comes to what I want: 4 wheel discs and I'm willing to pay for it
AND WAIT however long it takes..... and he's agreed to do it. Rich says he's still trying to pin some guys down, but the $850 isn't gonna change. This guy is such a decent man, he's even willing to give any of us the drawings and specs to see if we could do it cheaper. I say, HELL NO. So if you're the lurker reading this post, instead of causing your friend greif- why don't you tell him "the guys on The Zone say he's a good dude" and if you can't, PLEASE don't stir up anymore . :)

I encourage anyone on the fence to call Rich and speak to him in person. He won't try to sell you anything, but after talking to him, you'll be sold.

I think that I might have told him about people not liking the price. Was I being a :twisted: :twisted: :evil: :evil: :evil: ??? I think not. I was very professional when I told him about people being concerned about the price. I dont sugar coat things, I tell it like it is. Its interesting that whoever made the post about it being $425 a corner deleted the post. I worked in a machine shop for a year and a half so I know whats involved with it when he tells me the work that goes into it. For what he has to do I think it is very reasonable. At this point I am keeping my options open for fixing my brake problem. I even told this to Rich. He was kind enuff to give recomendations on alternative front and rear axles. Thats the type of person that he is.

i agree. i have posted numerous "fixes" from stainless tanks, stronger shafts, and others with very negative support.

i would go CUCV axles, if it was me.... which i did

Kalikraven, if you think the price is reasonable, why do you say you are keeping your options open? Sounds like your thinking about backing out. Are you? I DELETED THE $425 a corner smartass line from my post cause it was offensive to Rich. He told me someone came by his shop and told him about it, then he explained all the detail invovlved in doing this work. Whats so flippin interesting about that? I'm one of two guys who's been in on this from the beginning. Why take an attitude with me?

I'm not trying to make this issue personal with anyone. When I started this whole thing with the Pro Tool Disc brake conversion I had no idea what the final price would be. I do have a limit for what I am willing to spend before it becomes econnomically feasable to start looking at other options. My long term goal for the truck is four wheel disc brakes, front locking hubs and 4.56 gears. If the Pro Tool kit was within a certain price range for me then it would make sense for me to get it and do the other conversions later on. Right now I'm at the edge of my price limit. If I'm going to be spending alot of money I like to get the most bang for my buck. My other option would be to spend the money on a CUCV dana 60 Front and 14 Bolt rear. Both of these prodjects have additional exspenses. For the Pro Tool Kit it is the disc and calipers. The CUCV swap has the other modifacation exspenses that I'm looking into now, but the rear disc kit and new spring perches along with the stearing linkage is a given.

When I talked to Rich I did'nt mention who was concerned about the price, I just told him that some people though it was exspensive. Like I said before I support Rich and understand what goes into his work. Nothing here is personal, its all professional. I think its exspensive too but that dont mean that it is'nt worth the price or that it can be done cheaper. You get what you pay for..... It sure beats the Heli Tool kit with the rotors that need to get modified in order to be used.

There's 2 things I don't understand about this thread.

1) How I became a bad guy.
2) Just what it is that Lee agrees with.

Kalikraven - there are four things we agree on.

We both want disc brakes.
The Helitool kit is not as good as Rich's set up.
You get what you pay for.
Rich Brandi is a really good guy.

I'll say it again, I'm sorry I whined about the price, it showed my ingorance. I'm just trying to help keep this together.

Let me know how your axle swap option goes. I tried the same thing before I went down the disc brake conversion path and found it to be more expensive and difficult and anyway, I want to keep it stock appearing . If you back out, after being the champion of the cause, please let me and PoolMike know, since it will effect us both.

Anyone else want disc brakes???????

Your not the bad guy. I was just wondering if it was me or someone else that told Rich that people were talking about him. I just told him how it was being very professional. Now if someone else made a big stink about it then hey it was'nt me. I know that I'm not the only one that talked to him about it.

I think Lee is saying that he gets shot down alot whenever he talks about doing a super cool custom mods.

I still havent decided on what to do about the brakes. I will know by the end of the week. Like I said Its at my Threshold for looking at other options. For the amount of money for just disc, I could upgrade the whole axle and get 4.56 gears and locking hubs. The downside is it has unkown cost and requires critical fabrication in the area of the spring perches with pinion angle. I do like the stock look. I'm really just undecided as far as whats more econamical vs stock look vs durability..........

kali was right. i dont mind though, to each his own. i read lots of mods, here and there. I decided to do what i did and do it all at once. ive made mistakes, AND wasted money. looking back on it I think i have made good decisions in trying to not do redundant mods. instead of cobbling things together and having to change mods later, i decided to turn my truck off in april 2003, pull it down and do it right, ONCE.
i have 3000 dollars in a set of CUCV axles (including selling my stock ones for 400)
i have a detroit electrac limited slip/electric locker in the front, lockout hubs too.
stock axles plus 2000 in discs and theres no lockouts (350) and you still have 4.56 gears and NO lockers (welded is free, but front and rear is at least 800 in parts, if you put them in yourself) 4.56 gears is at LEAST 1000 more..... so then i would have 4000+ in stock axles that are weaker. I lost my stock rims, but gained better axles, off the shelf parts and support and i retained the stock look.

i see it as a toss up. the 1000 dollar difference will by custom rims, then its a dollar for dollar swap.

and i love my stainless tank too!

Lee thanks for all your inflated math and understated expense on your conversion. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can get my disc brakes anyway.

The axle swap is the way to go as far as price goes. For my application, I don't need 4.56's, stronger axle shafts, and I don't have the tools or time to do the job properly. A simple bolt on brake set up is for me! I can have installed in a day or two. Hopefully this will all work out.

poolmike,i understand not everyone needs nor wants 4.56 gears. my diesel had to have them.

edited for my stupidity

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back your facts up before you call me a liar

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No one's calling you a liar Lee so calm down partner, I just don't see why you're interjecting here, as if you're trying to talk the gang OUT of this group order that's all. Your first set of numbers, like $350 for lock out hubs,$1000 for gears....too high.

Earlier you posted on how you got negative response when you tried to do a cool deal, like you're stainless steel tank. I don't recall anyone posting about how you should just buy a fuel cell, remove the foam, install a sending unit and have a cheaper,safer, better alternative. As a Moderator and semi-offical ambassador of The Zone I can't ask you to butt out, but you of all people should understand the frustration of trying to put together a group order and then watching it start to fall apart in the 11th hour.

I've followed what you've done to your truck on The Pirate site-seen all the pictures and I think it's super cool....but not for me. Like Mike, I wanted a tested, reliable disc brake conversion. I have not the time nor the inclination to tear my truck down any further. Quit beating your chest... no one's calling anyone a liar... you should know I would be the last to question a cops integrity- lose that and you may as well find another job. Let the Topaz bashing begin.......

I'm still keeping my fingers crossed.

im sorry for taking it that way. ill edit the top, and butt out. moderator or not, i dont want to bother ya'll.

i agree that the ease of being able to use what you have has an intrinsic value too.

1000 for gears was what i remember the guy who changed his axles to from 5.87 to 4.56 said . i may be wrong, but with two install kits and gears i thought it was high too, but i remembered it was HIGH!

$1000 for gears sounds about right, counting all the parts and labor for front and back . At least according to my previous experience with my ford ranger and four wheel parts wholesalers.

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counting all the parts and labor

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My dumbass is still hoping I can do the gear install myself. I asked once if anyone thought I was smoking crack, but no one answered up....... maybe that means everyone thinks I really am.

Kalikraven, don't forget Rich has a pile of take off calipers for sale cheap........

Could one of you guys post when you buy the kits or send me a PM. I think this thread should be in the Modified board so that people looking for this kind of thing in the future can find it easier. I'll delete this post and move the complete thread when you guys are done with the deal. Thanks.

We'll I'am glad that I have a welder..........

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Originally Posted by jeepm715

We'll I'am glad that I have a welder..........

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Umm, I guess I'm slow, what do you plan on doing with a welder that relates to this?
mike f

I think he's talking about welding up his spider gears in the differentials so that both axles turn 100% of the time, similar to the effect of a Detroit No Spin locker or a spool. Backyard mechanics call this a "Lincoln Locker." I guess that means backyard mechanics must not have wire feeders, otherwise there would be a "Miller Locker" too. I've had it done to derby cars, but I wouldn't do it to my M715, but there's a lot of wheelers who do it, I've just never met anyone who recommends it.

So Mike, how's your brakes buddy? Ever thought of refinancing the house and installing four wheel discs?

-G-

That's what I thought he was talking about too, I just didn't remember reading anyone complaining about locker prices. As for my brakes, ha, riiiiight, yeah they're stock. As much as I'd love to refinance the house and get some, I'm 25 and don't have a house, I don't have much of anything really so alas, no disks for me. Not any time soon anyway.
sorry,
Mike

Hi guys, I just through that statement in there.I know what there talking about ,I went through the same delemma about which disc brakes to use or not. so I stayed with the stock brakes and baught a welder,then I can make my own.

Happy Trails,