The Cessna 120-140 Association Forum

Does anyone have experience with converting the right set of rudder pedals on a 120 or 140 to ones with toe brakes? I am exploring buying a 120 but it doesn't have toe brakes on the right side. I would like to instruct in the plane, so it would be nice to have brakes. The owner -- also an A&P -- has a set of pedals with toe brakes that could go with the plane. I've been told it's a fairly straightforward conversion. Can someone confirm that? Also, is the only paperwork needed a 337

From the parts manual - single sided brakes were standard, dual sided brakes were an option, and you need the listed parts to perform the conversion. Not sure about the 337 - since it is a factory available option may just be a logbook entry ± weight and balance.

The rudder bars in figure 20 do not have the parts for the right brakes, so you'll need them (the rudder bars), too, as well as the connections (item 55-5) between the brake pedals and the bars on both sides.

No 337 required, just a log book entry. The right side brakes are part of the original type design, but optional.

Thank you both for the quick response. Just make sure I'm reading both responses correctly, I need all the parts and quantities listed in the table. Any suggestions for sources?

Essentially, yes.

55-1 and -2 are the "floor" covers. You may already have them, or, I think there are patterns available here so you can make them. The rest of the parts are (were) included in the conversion kit.

The easiest way would be to obtain a rudder bar and pedal set complete, from a wrecking yard. There are a couple of folks parting out planes listed in the "Aviation Marketplace" forum. You may be able to find a set that way. I think tracking down all of the individual parts would be nearly impossible.

I'm not sure, but you may be able to use, or adapt, a set from a 150. I'm sure if that is the case, someone else will chime in.

Are the parts the same as on a 140? Would I be able to use the rudder bar and pedal set from a 140?

scottandy wrote: ↑Mon Oct 30, 2023 1:31 pm Are the parts the same as on a 140? Would I be able to use the rudder bar and pedal set from a 140?

Yes. A 140 with the conversion has exactly the same parts as a 120 with the conversion.

[Edit] Note, the co-pilot's brakes were optional on both.

Another thought - depending on the year, you may have the cast or stamped metal pedals. If getting in that deep and you have the early cast ones, I'd change both sides to stamped metal, which was used henceforth on all tailwheel Cessnas. Much easier to get inadvertent braking with the cast ones and since you are planning to instruct...

Heels on the floor is on the checklist of course before landing.

Interesting! I have cast on the pilot's side and stamped on the co-pilot's side. Never really noticed a problem. In fact, I'm terrible from the co-pilot's side regardless of the pedals!

(~500 hours left seat, 1 hour right seat...)

I've got cast on the left and stamped on the right, 1460hr left, 0 hours right.....
Pre-restoration...