Front Brake Conversion

Brian's blasphemy is correct. Drums in good shape are fine, and you can either install larger drum set ups or hack the drums. I've done both in my 63 American. Google 'rambler hotrod drum brakes' on worldpowersystems.com ...

You can also fit shoes that have a higher coefficient of friction and higher temperature range for more braking torque and better fade resistance.

Porterfield is a good source and also makes shoes with race compound for cars that race with drums. Cost about $100 a set for their R4-S compound.

https://www.porterfield-brakes.com/categories/Brake+Shoe/Performance+Street.html

Porterfield R4-S

Drum parts still seem to be readily available. AMC disc parts are starting to get scarce. Not sure how long the Scarebird conversion parts will be available? A Wilwood or similar kit using calipers and rotors common to the lower levels of stock car racing may be a better choice for long term ... if you've got a local source for parts.

Hope this helps,RD

When's the last time you saw an early 90s Previa van? Seems like it could just be trading one obsolete setup for another.

I bought the disc brake setup from a '77 Gremlin to upgrade the drums on my '72 Javelin, but after driving on the drum setup for awhile I find it's actually not too bad. Mind you, I wouldn't want to go autocrossing with them.

My opinion:

Wilwood makes a kit . It's listed for AMXs and Javelins from 1968 to 1974 but it will work. But it is costly. Also I believe Doug Noel at American Parts Depot use to list a set up based on the 1975 and up latter AMC factory disk setup. But here again it's old parts that are starting to have scarce replacement parts. You pay your money and you make your choice. Nothing really wrong with the scare bird setup. It works but may take a little more engineering to get to fit right but then all the options available will take that to some degree. And it uses a few older parts too as noted. LRDaum