Disc brakes became standard when???

[patrick66]

There is a discussion over on www.stationwagonforum.com about dual-circuit brakes on Chryslers. We all know that the dual master cylinder became Federal Law in the US starting with the 1967 model year. One guy there says that disc brakes became standard equipment on full-sized Chryslers in 1967, to which I told him I've owned at least eight 1967 - 1970 big Chryslers (and several big Dodges) that all had DRUM brakes all around!

So, what year did front disc brakes become standard equipment on C-body Chryslers??? I'm thinking the 1971 model year, but even that might be early. Anyone know with certainty???

 

[Mr C]

Perhaps he's confused with Imperial. In 1967 front discs (the unobtanium split caliper Budds) were standard on Imperials.

I had a 68 Fast top NY with Budd discs (for sure optional and not standard) in the 90's and I couldn't find parts for it then. I can't imagine how tough it is now.

 

[polara71]

When you say full size Chryslers I presume you are including Dodge and Plymouth.

I will say 72...... Only from observation but I don't recall a 72 with drums

It would make sense that 1973 would be standard with the change in design, but without certainty 1972.

 

[67Monaco]

Well for certain I have a 67 build sheet for my car that shows Discs as an ordered option.

 

[fc7_plumcrazy]

disc brakes became standart on C-Bodys for the 1973 modelyear.
In 1972 they were still optional on some models

See the 1972 Dodge Data book for Polara/Monaco
http://www.hamtramck-historical.com...lershipDataBook/1972/72_Polara_Monaco0020.jpg

Carsten

 

[patrick66]

I figured pretty close then, thanks.

 

[bajajoaquin]

Perhaps he's confused with Imperial. In 1967 front discs (the unobtanium split caliper Budds) were standard on Imperials.

I had a 68 Fast top NY with Budd discs (for sure optional and not standard) in the 90's and I couldn't find parts for it then. I can't imagine how tough it is now.

Unobtanium Budd brakes? I've got three sets of calipers and two sets of rotors!

(But yeah, if they hadn't been with the car, I wouldn't have them either)

 

[F Preston]

Unobtanium Budd brakes? I've got three sets of calipers and two sets of rotors!

(But yeah, if they hadn't been with the car, I wouldn't have them either)

I have a ton of those - I'm going to try to round up all my junk over the winter - I have a garage filled with parts, a stable filled with parts, a shed filled with parts, and a basement filled with parts.

 

[Mr C]

Remember, I had the car in the 90's before Al Gore invented the internet and it was possible for people to source parts easily. At the time it was impossible to get parts. I'm glad there are sources for that stuff today.

 

[livininharrow]

Well for certain I have a 67 build sheet for my car that shows Discs as an ordered option.

I believe 66 was the first year for disc brakes as an option. my fury wagon has them and on the broadcast sheet it is shown as a police car option. not sure when they were standard.

 

[patrick66]

The question was answered earlier, thanks.

 

[1978 NYB]

Just saying....

When I bought my 73 Challenger new in 1973, I remember the salesperson telling me (as a sales point) that Mopar (not just Dodge) had front disc brakes and electronic ignition on all passenger cars for 1973.

 

[Big_John]

Just saying....

When I bought my 73 Challenger new in 1973, I remember the salesperson telling me (as a sales point) that Mopar (not just Dodge) had front disc brakes and electronic ignition on all passenger cars for 1973.

They didn't have them as standard on the low end slant six cars. That was a little asterisk on all the sales brochure.

 

[patrick66]

The 1973 A-bodies had discs as an option. That's why you'll find both 4" and 4-1/2" bolt patterns on factory '73 "A"-cars - the front drum cars had the 4'' and the front disc cars had 4-1/2" BP.

I had a '73 225 Swinger, a 225 Valiant four-door and a 340 Dart Sport back in the early '80s. The 340 was a disc car, the other two, drums.

 

[67valiant 100]

Starting in '73 ALL v8 mopar cars (idk about trucks) had disc brakes standard. By '76 Chrysler mandated all cars (again idk about trucks) regardless of engine size ect have disc brakes.

 

[67valiant 100]

but I have seen a few early '76 /6 A-bodies with drums, probably to deplete leftover stock of such parts.

 

[Big_John]

Starting in '73 ALL v8 mopar cars (idk about trucks) had disc brakes standard. By '76 government mandated all cars (again idk about trucks) regardless of engine size ect have disc brakes.

In 1976 the government standard 105-75 was to improve braking performance. Fade, wet performance etc. It did not mandate disc brakes. Manufactures went to discs because it was the easiest and cheapest way to achieve compliance with that standard.

http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/regrev/evaluate/806359.html

Disc brakes, on the other hand, are not required by Standard 105 and were not necessarily Installed for safety reasons alone. On the other hand, disc brakes were the most noticeable braking change of the late 1960's and earlv 1970's and made it considerably easier for cars to pass some of the specific stopping tests (fade and water recovery) of Standard 105-75.

 

[patrick66]

The two '73 cars I mentioned above did indeed have drums.

 

[67valiant 100]

In 1976 the government standard 105-75 was to improve braking performance. Fade, wet performance etc. It did not mandate disc brakes. Manufactures went to discs because it was the easiest and cheapest way to achieve compliance with that standard.

http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/regrev/evaluate/806359.html

Thanks, I just assumed since Chrysler and most other domestic manufactures decided to use them across the board for '76

 

[mobileparts]

With UNQUESTIONED CERTAINTY -- 1973 was the year that 100 % of "C" bodies got FRONT DISC BRAKES...

1969 - 1972 the %s became increasingly larger --- 10%ish in '69, 25%ish in '70, 33%ish in '71 and 50%ish
in '72.....

1966 - 1968 used that "very primitive" BUDD 4 piston calipers systems -- and was in MAYBE .001%ish
of the NON-IMPERiALS!!!!