I have seriously thought about converting to a dual master cylinder when I get to the brakes on my restoration. Most of the kits I have seen seem to require modifications to the frame and there seem to be occasional fit problems with rerouting the brake lines to the side of the master cylinder. I have a friend who bought one of Herm's kits for his CJ3B and he ended up not using it because of the alteration and fit problems.
The other day I saw this conversion kit on Kaiser Willys' web site.
If I read the description correctly there are no frame modifications, brake lines come off the bottom of the master cylinder which fixes the clearance issues and the brake fluid reservoirs mount on the fire wall which eliminates having to deal with checking the fluid under the brake pedal. If it is as advertised it can easily be converted back to the original configuration.
Has any one seen or had any experience with this set up?
The item # on Kaiser Willys is 805223-CJDUAL
Ralph
That is similar to a conversion I did using a Nissan pick up 1" dual master cylinder & remote lines to a fender mounted reservoir off a Mitsubishi Montero.
Total cost was about $28.
No modifying the frame @ all just welding up bolt on attachment that the new M/C mounted/bolted on.
The attachment bolted where the old master cylinder was fitted on the frame.
I might suggest if you go this route that you weld securing nuts to the attachment. I didn't & it was a bit fiddly getting together using 3 hands [1 of which I didn't have].
Also a Chevy pickup mechanical brake light switch is EZ to fit as you no longer have provision for the hydraulic type.
John GIBBINS
ASE Master Medium/Heavy Truck & Auto Technician 2002 USA
Licensed Motor Mechanic NSW # MVIC 49593 Current YOU CAN'T TROUBLESHOOT WHAT YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND
Rather than the mechanical switch, why not affix a 'T' fitting in one of the lines, I believe the pressure switch is a standard pipe thread.
As an aside, I used a pressure switch for my horn switch (push-rod actually pressed on the internal disc).
IMHO
Bill
"Frugality keeps me in the Game"
1952 M38 Project "Lazarus"
1951(?) M100 Trailer
1956-60 USAF Special Weapons Program http://www.bill-capes.com/insanity - Updated 04/26/14
Gives one an idea of the master cylinder bracket that bolts to the frame.
John GIBBINS
ASE Master Medium/Heavy Truck & Auto Technician 2002 USA
Licensed Motor Mechanic NSW # MVIC 49593 Current YOU CAN'T TROUBLESHOOT WHAT YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND
Tom and John, thanks for the information you provided. It looks like the kit provided by RP4wd is the same as the one that Kaiser Willys is now offering. I appreciate the way you and others share their knowledge and experience on this site. I read some of the other forums but don't see the consistently good information sharing that take place here on this site.
