Prior to my purchase, the previous owner of my 1970 Ranchero had removed shock towers, etc. and installed a straight axle from a '62 Econoline. It's a decent installation but his version of a steering linkage is left to be desired. My main question: Has anyone installed a rack & pinion unit from say an '80's Mustang? The distance between spindle mounting centers is very close to the same. Any ideas, suggestions, etc. y'all can lend are greatly looked forward to.

Also, with this thing having drum brakes on front as well, are there any "salvage yard" parts which can upgrade me to disc or will I be required to spend $$ on an aftermarket kit? I hope to (1) eliminate a death wobble, (2) clean up where he cut out with a torch, and (3) do the make-over of steering and brakes prior to starting on some external body touch-ups. -Alan-

 

The first-gen ford econolines never came from factory with discs, just beefier, cooling-finned drums on front.

I'm not sure what some people may have done for a diy setup (usually using like gm calipers and/or toyota previa rotors) in fact here's a post with a listing in it

https://fordsix.com/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=55689

aside from fabbing up a bracket, lists
"-Rotors - 1997 Dodge Intrepid FWD rotors, lug bolt holes reamed out to 5/8"

-Calipers - 1976 Chevy Nova, Right and Left hand

-Hoses - 1976 Chevy Nova, will have small notch that needs ground off to fit through the hose bracket on frame.

-Lug Bolts - 5/8" diameter, 1/2" longer than stock "

There may be some falcon that used discs and might fit but D&D disc brakes offers a kit for econolines in varying stages of completeness.

If you want a kit that will just bolt up to the axle/spindles, you'll have to pay the $$, but D&D disc is the way to go.

D & D Disc brake kits, convert your econoline drum brakes to our disc brake kit for a great price