Got myself a Duraspark II wiring harness from a 77 F350, with an ignition box, said to have worked last year.

The box on the right is the 77. The box on the left is from an 87 F350 with a carbed 460, and is all sticky on the bottom. The 77 box is in the best shape.

This box is from an unknown vehicle, probably a Mustang. I got it from my uncle a while back, but never had it tested.
The silicone, or whatever is on the bottom is starting to seperate, but still hard.

 

I hear/see you on keeping track. I like to do that as well. And, those are pretty parts.

 

So in recent light of the ebay charcoal canister thread, I got to thinking I should set mine up, as its not doing anything at the moment.

How is it set up on these trucks? And I need a new line to the box, and the line from the box to...the carburetor is it?

Also need to know how to test if the box I have is working.

 

I've been doing some more research...

Been looking into a rear disc brake swap with Ford parts, not using a kit with Chevy calipers.

Turns out that the E150 from 2003-2006 used an 8.8", 5x5.5 bolt pattern with disc brakes, and also used a 9.75", 5x5.5 bolt pattern rear with discs as well.

I originally thought of getting the disc parts from the 8.8", and swapping those over. But the allure of a better axle (9.75") is growing in my head.

Should I even attept to swap the other axle?

The 9.75" is (from other forums) 68.5" wide from flange to flange, whereas the stock 8.8" I have is reportedly 65.5" wide. An additional 1.5" on each side. Also, the spring perches and shock mounts would need to be moved.

Sounds like too much work to even bother, but I don't think I will be able to get just the disc parts seperate from any axle I'd want to buy, so I'd better make the right purchase.

 

If the 8.8" is the right width and the spring perches are in the right place, I'd go that way. Narrowing an axle 3" could get expensive, and unless you are really going to work or abuse the truck the 8.8" should be enough. (All that is said by a guy upgrading his t-case "because", and who maxed out his 2015 to get the 9.75" axle. )

 

I definately realize I don't "need" the 9.75", but one day I'd like to use it off road and tow with it as well. The most I see myself towing with it would be a large boat. Perhaps in about 20 years my wife and I will have a few horses, but thats still a pipe dream for now.

I was toying with the idea of leaving the 9.75" the same width, but I don't like to idea of the rear tires sticking out with the wheels I want to use.

I'll just look into the rear disc idea.

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Well, upon further investigation, I have found a few 9" rear ends near me, for around $250-300. Unfortunately, if I go this route, I will need to re-gear the 9" to match my front, at 3.55, which the closest the 9' gets is 3.50.

 

Well, did more digging, and called the local yards with the 9" rears in stock, and turns out they have all been bought. So, back to square one, modifyng my 8.8"

 

Alan, if you go on the Ranger forums and do a search for disc brake swap, you can find lots of threads about swapping Mustang discs onto Ranger 8.8's. Maybe some of that information can be cross referenced over to an F150 8.8 and E150 disc brakes?


Also, I'm a bit late, but the transmission cover you need for the ZF5 is not the one I have in my truck. The correct transmission cover you need will come from a ZF5 truck. Here's a picture of the one you need. As you can see, the ZF5 cover will NOT have the opening for the 4x4 shifter since the 88+ trucks had the T-case shifter on the side of the transmission tunnel. You will have to cut that opening yourself in order to run your NP208 shifter.

 

Welcome Back, Kotter! And rep's to you for that.

 

Thanks for the info Shaun! I'd rep you, but I need to spread the lovins.

But are you sure its the Mustang rear disc swap, and not the Explorer rear discs? Id like to do the E150 swap, but looks like it won't work with 15" wheels. Here's a chart I made up:

 

It's definitely the Mustang. I have a few local Ranger friends who have done the swap on their Rangers. I don't think the Explorer disc brakes are as "good".

It looks like the 2004 E150's use 16" wheels from the factory, so there probably would be clearance issues with 15"wheels.

 

How would the Mustang disc setup hold on say, a 35" tire with a load in the bed? I just want to make sure its strong enough for a full size truck.

The E150 wheels: that's why I didn't think it would work, but was really hoping

 

My buddy is running 35's with Mustang discs, and he says it stops better than the drums did.

However, remember that Mustangs have the same bolt pattern as the Ranger, and not the F150. So the Mustang rotors won't work. I'm not entirely sure if you could get the rest of the setup to work though.

 

Here's a kit I found for the Mustang setup, but not a 5x5.5:

Ford Racing Mustang Rear Caliper Bracket Kit with Rotors (Rear Pair) M-2300-M (94-04 GT, V6) - Free Shipping

Here's an Explorer kit from Currie, and they have the 5x5.5, but not vented:

Currie Enterprises Racing Rear End Categories

 

They offer a set with cross-drilled rotors with the 5x5-1/2 lug pattern.



Currie Enterprises Racing Rear End Categories