Anti-Lock Brake Conversion?

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MrJLR

MrJLR

Built, not bought
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I would LOVE anti-lock brakes on my 'Cuda.....
Does anyone make a conversion kit or have any of you done a custom conversion?

Jeff
 
You don't need nor want ABS. What you WANT is to balance the system so that it stops correctly. The main ingredients are the operating condition of your brake system, whatever changes (conversions) you have done with regard to brake type, size, wheel cylinder size or caliper size and type, AND THE TYPE of brake lining, and the wheels and tires size.

Install an adjustable proportioning valve.

I have just put together a 99 Dakota that I bought "non running" which has 4W ABS. Turns out you need an expensive scan tool (not the dimestore code reader) which programs the module in the truck to "diddle" the solenoids and drive the air out of them.

THAT SYSTEM is coming OUT!!!
 
67Dart273 said:
You don't need nor want ABS. What you WANT is to balance the system so that it stops correctly. The main ingredients are the operating condition of your brake system, whatever changes (conversions) you have done with regard to brake type, size, wheel cylinder size or caliper size and type, AND THE TYPE of brake lining, and the wheels and tires size.

Install an adjustable proportioning valve.

I have just put together a 99 Dakota that I bought "non running" which has 4W ABS. Turns out you need an expensive scan tool (not the dimestore code reader) which programs the module in the truck to "diddle" the solenoids and drive the air out of them.

THAT SYSTEM is coming OUT!!!
Click to expand...
Actually, I DO want anti-lock brakes.

Jeff
 
Rick ehrenberg did an article a few years back in mopar action about retrofitting rear abs to an 8 3/4 using parts from a ram pick up. It actually looked reasonably easy to do.
 
MrJLR said:
Actually, I DO want anti-lock brakes.

Jeff
Click to expand...
Anti lock brakes, have proved to be harmful in some circumstances. So much so, they are OPTIONAL now on some cars, no longer standard equipment.
 
Mopar Tim said:
Anti lock brakes, have proved to be harmful in some circumstances. So much so, they are OPTIONAL now on some cars, no longer standard equipment.
Click to expand...
I really like them.....I don't see any reason they would be anything but an improvement. ..

Jeff
 
Going to have to get some custom software/hardware to control it. Hardest part, IMO.
 
You need to add the tone rings and pick ups. The rear end is reasonably easy to do, even easier if you use a ford 8.8 or modern 8 1/4 that already has a tone ring and pick up. The front wheels would be a different story. You would have to fab something up, it would be difficult with the design of the older disc brakes.

The rest should be reasonable easy to source from a modern vehicle and would require some plumbing and wirirng.
 
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If you do a search for "mopar action rear abs" you should find some info on the old articles. Rick Ehrenberg used to be good about answering questions. If you can find an email for him he would likely point you in the right direction.
 
The ABS in my truck almost killed me 3 times, if they were not there I could have stopped with no problem. It is a very scary thing when you jam on the brake pedal and it pushes back and you cant slow down. Mine is now and forever be disabled. Never again.
 
I haven't done the conversion, but his article makes it look totally do-able.
I believe he used B van parts. I think if you're running an 8-1/4 or 9-1/4 rear it's almost a bolt-on.
 
The old school abs, was just an accumulator. Just to filter out the pulsations from out of round drums or rotors that werent 100% parallel.
 
Let me rephrase that ABS is for people that can't drive, in a controlled situation it maybe fine but not on the street were someone can pull out in front of you and you have nowhere to go.
 
I have seen both sides.

I have been in a ford product in a parking lot. One front wheel on ice, hit the brakes and the abs releases all brakes causing an accident.

However, many many more times in winter conditions, in a plymouth voyager, audi a4 or bmw 325 the abs has proved to be awesome, stopping the vehicle way before and more controlled than any experienced driver ever could.

The benefits of modern abs far outweigh the negatives. Especially with inexperienced drivers in less than ideal road conditions. I do believe though, that every driver should spend some time in an icy or snowy empty parking lot without abs, learning how to brake and slide. I did this with both of our kids.
 
If you do a search for the Mopar Action Article it was in 2012 on the RoadRunner project car. I think. It's for rear ABS only as the article states is all you really need when you have front discs just to keep the drums from lock up so it doesn't try to pass the front end on a wet road. He explains the reason they did it as well as the results of it very well in the article. With rear ABS only you don't have all the buzzing and pedal pulsations like a full system.

They used the tone ring from a 9 1/4 rear end as the car already had that rear end but I believe he said you could probably make the ring fot an 8 3/4. They also used the small ABS module and stuck it under the drivers seat as well as the valve that splices inline to the rear brake line. All used parts the biggest job was pulling the pumpkin out really.
 
The latest ford ABS, in my 2017 superduty, has no vibration on the peddle when active/doing it's thing. Cant tell. Seems fine. BUT my 4runner, what a problem,releasing the brakes instead of stopping! Was an everyday thing in that. Rough road before a stop sign, right thru it would go....
 
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