Buddy is getting his 40 Fargo back, wants to put disc brakes on the solid front axle. His dad bought the truck new, but
years ago, he put in a small block chevy and 9". Now he wants to make a driver out off it. I'll try and talk him into a proper engine/trans.
He is a do it yourself kinds guy, so any tips would be welcome.
Thanks.

Wonder if there are any small commercial trucks, like a GM P30 commercial chassis that already has disc brakes but is also the right track width? Maybe an old Isuzu or Mitsubishi chassis with a solid front axle and disc brakes? Basically any solid front axle with disc brakes with the right track width should be adaptable. Me, I'd make the switch to independent front suspension and get rid of the leaf springs if he plans to really enjoy that Fargo.

There are disc brake conversion kits out there. Do an online search for "Fargo (or Dodge) 39-47 truck disc brake conversion". The Fargo trucks are Dodge trucks built in Canada, for export (not into the USA) The mechanical parts for a 40 fit 39-47 trucks The trucks are different from the cars of the same years.You will need to know if it is a 1/2 ton, 3/4 ton, or 1 ton, because the rotors will be different.

3 or 4 years ago, there were at least 3 companies making disc brake conversions, don't know if that is still true today.

https://dcmclassics.com/brake-parts/1246-br-779-disc-brake-conversion-36-53.html

something in the back of my feeble brain seems to be saying most [if not all] disc brake conversion kits use common GM 11" rotors and calipers, with the rotors having either multi-pattern or the pattern of your choice of wheels drilled in blank rotor hubs.
then, an inner bearing "adapter" sleeve that presses over the original spindle's inner bearing seat, which adapts common GM or ford inner bearings and seals.
most outer bearings have a 3/4" [?] hole that slides over the spindle snout, retained by a nut and cotter pin [plus that washer with the multitude of slots that fits over the retaining nut, allowing the cotter pin to keep the retaining nut at the proper bearing preload], so those bearings can easily be sourced no matter what rotor hub is used, as i believe those rotors are machined to a common bearing/race size.
it's also possible for one to fabricate a caliper bracket from 3/8-1/2" CRS to fit the very common GM slider caliper of choice, and bolt it to your existing spindle.
then, machine the drum brake hub to accept a common "slip on" rotor from a modern vehicle with your original bolt pattern that will work with the fabricated plate steel caliper bracket. i have done this quite a few times, but remember, i am a machinist by trade, and lathes and bridgeports are my friends.........
however, when deciding on a rotor to use, one needs accurate blueprint information on the rotor's thickness, [where the pads contact as well as the thickness where it fits the hub] diameter, [both the total diameter as well as the hub diameter] and hat offset [how far past the hub seat the pad surface is]. longer than stock application wheel studs are usually needed when going with a "slip on" rotor, so don't forget these as well.
fabricating a conversion takes [a lot of] time, so if a kit is available, it is usually the way to go. when one goes this route, [buying a kit] before installation, confirm from the kit maker [if possible] what the rotors, calipers, hoses, bearings and seals, as well as any miscellaneous parts, are originally intended for, then write this info down and store it for future parts replacement if, or when, it comes time to do so.

Moparx, most of the modern disc brake kits are now using just a machined hub with the bearings and seals for the most common original spindles. Then adding the flame cut caliper bracket that bolts to the spindle and GM calipers. The rotors are the modern slid onto the hub rotors, without the bearing hubs. That allows them to use off the shelf replacement parts. You are buying their machined hub, with new bearings and seals,k their flame cut caliper bracket, and all the off the shelf parts they have machined their hubs and caliper brackets for. As long as they provide what the off the shelf parts are from, life is good.

Try Scarebird.

kind of what i was thinking when i started to ramble on......
thanks for confirming what i was trying to convey in my on and on blabbing.

i thought he [kinda] went out of business, and was just selling what he had left in his inventory, and wasn't making/stocking any more items that he had previously listed ?

https://www.ecihotrodbrakes.com/dodge_plymouth_discbrake_conversions

Kevin

Thanks.