Disc Brake Conversion????
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Disc Brake Conversion????
I have a 1972 F100 Custom with a 360v8, C6, power steering, and 4 wheel manual brakes. I want to replace the front drums with power disc brakes. I really don't want to drop $700+ in a kit. Is it best to just take an entire front suspension and brakes off of a 73-79 Ford F150, and swap it out with mine?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Rabbit72 Welcome to FTE & the Bumpside forum. 
That is correct 76 was the last year for the FE engine, but since you have power steering already and don't need the steering pump bracket you probably can go higher. Do you know if you have the Bendix steering set up or the Saginaw?
I bought my 76 donor parked it beside my 66 dropped the complete I-beam set and slid it over and bolted it up. You will need to do some modding with the brake pedal and booster blade connection but all other is pretty straight forward. There are little things like front brake hose brackets that you will miss if you just collect parts.
John
That is correct 76 was the last year for the FE engine, but since you have power steering already and don't need the steering pump bracket you probably can go higher. Do you know if you have the Bendix steering set up or the Saginaw?
I bought my 76 donor parked it beside my 66 dropped the complete I-beam set and slid it over and bolted it up. You will need to do some modding with the brake pedal and booster blade connection but all other is pretty straight forward. There are little things like front brake hose brackets that you will miss if you just collect parts.
John
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Rabbit72 Welcome to FTE & the Bumpside forum.
That is correct 76 was the last year for the FE engine, but since you have power steering already and don't need the steering pump bracket you probably can go higher.
Do you know if you have the Bendix
steering set up or the Saginaw? 
That is correct 76 was the last year for the FE engine, but since you have power steering already and don't need the steering pump bracket you probably can go higher.
Do you know if you have the Bendix
steering set up or the Saginaw? Bendix P/S: 1966/68 F100/250 2WD, 1969 F100/250 2WD before serial number D96,001.
Ford/Saginaw P/S: 1969 F100/250 2WD & F350 from serial number D96,001 / 1970/79 F100/250 2WD & F350.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: NorCal
I have a 1972 F100 Custom with a 360v8, C6, power steering, and 4 wheel manual brakes. I want to replace the front drums with power disc brakes. I really don't want to drop $700+ in a kit. Is it best to just take an entire front suspension and brakes off of a 73-79 Ford F150, and swap it out with mine?
There are nuances between 73/74 and 75-79 disc/suspension systems that you should be aware of. Read this article: Installing Disc Brakes on Your 2WD Pickup - Pt. 1 - FORDification.com
Other articles/threads:
Power Steering & Disk Brakes 2wd 65-72 .: Articles
Ford F100 Power Disc Brake Upgrade - Classic Trucks Magazine
The FORDification.com Forums • View topic - Replacing the king pins and suspension bushings
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Thank You for the heads up. I am going to swap out the entire front suspension, brakes, booster, etc from possibly a 1975 F100. While I am at it I'll rebuild the donor front end before bolting it on.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
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From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Thanks Mr. Wilson, I will never be able to remember like you, my forgetter is working too hard.
HIO, As long as the complete set is used those differences don't come into play. It is the mix & match that will bite you.
John
HIO, As long as the complete set is used those differences don't come into play. It is the mix & match that will bite you.
John
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Ford Parts Specialist
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From: Simi Valley, CA
1973/79 F100/350: There are TWENTY TWO different brake pedals, NINETEEN different P/B boosters, SEVENTEEN different master cylinders and SEVEN different clutch pedals, I kid you not.
1968/72 F100/350: There is ONE brake and clutch pedal.
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Fleet Owner
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From: NorCal
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Good point. A sway bar would be nice....
Fleet Owner
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From: NorCal
The. plan ahead by finding a donor with the pin indexing notch on the radius arms and also locate a pair of C-brackets (PN 5C499) like pictured below. Note the pin on the brackets.
I got lucky and got the C-brackets off an Econoline cuz most of the front suspension was already taken apart.
This is how an OEM sway bar is mounted:
I got lucky and got the C-brackets off an Econoline cuz most of the front suspension was already taken apart.
This is how an OEM sway bar is mounted:
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
The. plan ahead by finding a donor with the pin indexing notch on the radius arms and also locate a pair of C-brackets (D5TZ-5C499-A) like pictured below. Note the pin on the brackets.
I got lucky and got the C-brackets off an Econoline cuz most of the front suspension was already taken apart.
This is how an OEM sway bar is mounted:
I got lucky and got the C-brackets off an Econoline cuz most of the front suspension was already taken apart.
This is how an OEM sway bar is mounted:
D5TZ-5482-A .. Front Sway Bar / Obsolete
Applications: 1975/79 F100/350 2WD.
------------------------------------
D5TZ-5C499-A .. Sway Bar Mounting Brackets / Obsolete
Applications; 1975/79 F100/350 2WD / 1975/1991 Econoline (Econoline uses a different sway bar, but the brackets are the same).
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From: Raleigh, NC
I hope this question isn't a hi jack and the answer will add good info to the tread. OP, let me know if you'd rather see it in another thread and I'll delete this post.
The complete steering, front suspension and brakes from an '81 F150 2WD will be available to me and I'm wondering if those parts will swap onto a '70 F100 2WD. Anyone tried that?
The complete steering, front suspension and brakes from an '81 F150 2WD will be available to me and I'm wondering if those parts will swap onto a '70 F100 2WD. Anyone tried that?