Greetings - my 14 YO son and I have been slowly fixing up our 65 custom cab. So far we've kept it simple since we are learning: oil change, new hoses, radiator flush, tailgate mechanism, etc. We are going to tackle the brakes in the winter months so I want to start researching. We have drums and I want to go to front disc. Nothing fancy. Any advice? Also, what is the recommendation for rear brakes? I think we will change the king pins and spindles at the same time. What else should we look to change while we are doing brakes? Thanks!

 

The front suspension from a 73 to 77 will bolt right in. Disc brakes, spindles, I beams, control arms, and steering. If you use the entire setup, including the proportioning valve, from the same donor truck; you should be able to drive it to the alignment shop when you're done.

 

I bought the frame section from a 77 F100-from the control arm mounts forward-from another Ford guy. Brought it home, and transplanted everything into my 67. I put rebuilt calipers, and new rotors on it--worked out great. If you're picky-you can get one with good king pin bushings already on it. A lot of work; yes. Worth it-absolutely!
Your slick will accept these parts just as well as my 67--I did a 66 several years ago; with equally good results.

 

As John (one of our members) has pointed out many times,,, if ya got the room, "find a complete donor truck". That way you will have all the parts you need and you can sell off the other parts. When its time to make it go away, call the local scrap guy and have them haul it away. There are junk/metal salvage guys that will take it away for free.

 

Lyndon, Many of us here have tackled this with our trucks. If your truck has the V8 FE 352 your donor years are 73-76 when the FE was dropped, 6 cly will go to 79 for direct bolt hole exchange. Buying a donor is a must, as you will have all parts needed but also don't have to try to remember later when something else needs replacing where it came from. I know when I need parts chassis down for my 1966 truck, I order 76.

Doing the disc brake upgrade is a very good choice. It seems to be enough as discs on all 4 corners don't handle as well. It was several years after front discs before Ford put them on all 4 corners.

Buy a donor that has the engine & tranny that you have now or plan to upgrade to. I have done more than one of these, and have sold parts from the donor that I didn't need for more than the donor cost making my upgrade -0- in cost.

I pulled the 76 up beside my 66, dropped the complete axle set slid it over under the 66 & bolted it up. You can raise the front wheel and check on king pin play before you buy.

Sounds like you have started a plan, don't rush, it will come together.



John

 

And the complete how-to, so simple even I could do it (and write about it!): f100discs

 

If I have not already welcomed you to FTE let me take this opportunity to do so!! Looking forward to your input and post pic's when you can.

See where ddavidv posted the link for the front disc brake upgrade, I found it very helpful.

There's also an article on the front disc and power steering upgrade in the FTE 'article' forum. In the event decide on using a donor may want to consider doing both at the same time; anyhow, food for thought??

Power Steering & Disk Brakes 2wd 65-72 .: Articles

 

1973/79 F100 2WD: Manual disc brakes standard equipment, power disc brakes optional.

1973/74 F100 2WD's use a different 'brake pressure differential valve' than 1975/79 F100/150's.

 

Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately we do not have room for a donor (very tight quarters already), although that sounds like the best way to go. If anyone has a recommendation for a disc brake kit, please let us know. I'll post pics soon.

 

Rent a space near by for a month. You can do that.


John