Hmmm. I wasn't aware it was that kind of thing. I thought it was a entire front end kind of thing like the crown Vic. I'll look into it. Although I would prefer to keep all ford parts.

 

On there web site they say GM calipers, but when you look them up they same calipers was used on GM and the 95-99 1/2 ton Dodge and they use the same wheel bearings as 68-72 F-100, so is a lot easier swap then the dent brakes. And on a plus note they are new enough most parts houses keep them in stock.

 

I seem to remember you rebuilding your engine a few times, I also remember you rebuilding your tranny a couple of times. I for sure remember the pass two mounts of rebuilding the 3rd member a couple times..

Now, I ask you where was all your free time to really run around to the JY's looking for spindles.

May be Jeff should give you a bump Kingdom name change as something like "3rd times a charm" or something a long those line..

Orich

 

Hahaha. Yeah I know. I don't have the best track record with things. But I never made the same mistake twice. For the record, I've not had to touch the tranny since I put it in. It's been solid.

 

I don't know if you have a front sway bar or have any intentions of installing one, if you don't presently have one (?).

The optional '75-'79 F100 - F350 factory front sway bar is a VERY good item to have. It will make a dramatic difference (improvement) in the way your truck will handle going around the curves.

If you were considering installing a Dentside 1-1/8" front sway bar, you won't be able to do it with just a simple spindle swap onto your existing radius arms. --there's no 'meat' sticking out off the front of the Bumpside radius arms for the locating pin of the '75-'79 sway bar endlink brackets to engage into.

I've done two front disc brake conversions, putting Dentside F100/F150 front discs on a '69 F100 (my truck) and on a '72 F100 (belonging to another guy). I prefer to use the spindles, I-beams and radius arms from the Dentside donor (swap the entire Dentside front brake/suspension assembly over onto the Bump).

 

Ive got a 1-1/16"? Sway bar off a 78 F250 CS. It did make a drastic difference.

 

Me either. I'm always too busy making new ones.

 

A quick search shows listings in Tucson and in Hereford for Dentsides with the front suspension parts. I just searched for the front suspension beams but likely the whole assembly or the individual parts are available. You could contact them for your specific needs.

1978
2WD Front Axle Beam
Ford Truck F150 RH, GOOD 4D1017 $45 Jeff's Auto Parts USA-AZ(Tucson) Request_Quote 520-623-2600 / 888-859-6298 Request_Insurance_Quote
141

1979
2WD Front Axle Beam
Ford Truck 150 A D11025 $125 Catalina Auto Recyclers USA-AZ(Tucson) Request_Quote 800-842-7862 / 520-574-0555 Request_Insurance_Quote
146

1978
2WD Front Axle Beam
Ford Truck F150 7.5L,RWD A D16008 $50 Catalina Auto Recyclers USA-AZ(Tucson) Request_Quote 800-842-7862 / 520-574-0555 Request_Insurance_Quote
146

1978
2WD Front Axle Beam
Ford Truck F150 B10070 $Call M and R Auto USA-AZ(Hereford) Request_Quote 1-800-362-0810 Request_Insurance_Quote

 

1979 ford truck parting out

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/pts/5644508457.html

I PMed you

 

I've talked to both of these guys in the past. Neither has the front end.

 

If this '78 factory front sway bar is mounted to the front ends of your '71 Bumpside radius arms, this tells me the locating pins of the endlink brackets are just floating in the air.

Forward end of a right hand side Bumpside radius arm from a '72 F100.



The '73-'79 radius arms will have a protrusion that sticks out past the I-beam where the large 3/4"-10 x 6" bolt goes up through the radius arm and the I-beam.

This is a '74 radius arm. Notice the forward ends are longer than the radius arm from the '72 F100. You'll also notice there's no notch in the forward end for the locating pin for a front sway bar endlink bracket. That would be because the Dentside factory forward-mounted front sway bar didn't come out until 1975. (I've marked on this '74 right side radius arm where the notch for the endlink bracket pin needs to be located).



I put the radius arm in a Bridgeport milling machine and milled the locating notch. (Left hand radius arm shown but, same principle).



Notch milled.



Right side '74 radius arm and the sway bar endlink bracket bolted up to the '75 I-beam on the '72 F100. Notice the endlink bracket locating pin is engaged into the notch on the lower, forward end of the right side radius arm. --on the left side, the pin and the notch will be located on the upper, forward end of the radius arm. Just the opposite of the right side.



The pin keeps the bracket from trying to twist or rotate, side-to-side.

 

I kept the 71 radius arms. No notch in them. So far everything has stayed in alignment. And I've done some pretty rough driving.

 

There is a guy in Mesa that has a bunch of Ford truck stuff. I got mine from him, not just spindles, but the beams and such...


480 215 1115

 

You're really gonna hate me when I tell this story. I was in a similar situation as you. There aren't many junkyards left around here and most of the ones that are left either don't have old stuff 'cause they mainly sell to body shops doing newer model repairs, or if they do have old stuff they want to pull the part for you and then charge you out the wazoo for it.

So, I had just about given up on finding dentside parts to do the disc brake swap on my '68. Then, about two months ago, my cousin calls me up out of the blue to tell me about this '78 F100 Ranger/Explorer that he'd found and the owner was only asking $200 for it. To make it even better it was only about 20 min from my house.

Usually my luck is terrible, but the Lord smiled on me that day!

 

I feel for you 351. No junkyards around my area carry anything old. Its ebay or craigs list and I still cant find much