Anyone used their disk conversion. How was the install and how do you like them? Any tips?

I don’t have the space for a donor and haven’t found any trucks that are local.

 

In my opinion an 03 and newer Crown Vic front end swap is the best system. THere is a bit more work involved but the benefits of 11 inch rotors, power rack and pinion steering and the aluminum crossmember (lighter!) are big pluses. also parts availability will likely never be an issue, as they're stock Ford parts.

 

 

These are my thoughts after owning and driving every mid-60's Ford, a few even recently.
The stock brakes are actually really good, IF rebuilt totally with NEW linings (not NOS, materials have improved a bunch).
Drums self-energise, discs do not. What does this mean?? This means that drums require less effort to stop.
I have the common disc conversion on my truck (C%$#y calipers, custom-drilled rotors (God help you if you need to replace, they ARE custom) and a dual master - not power.
Am I happy with it?? (I bought it this way). Well, it stops, takes a good deal of effort, and doesn't really feel like it could lock up the wheels.
Is it better than the drums the truck came with originally?? Since I did not drive THIS truck with drums, I can only compare it with other Fords I have driven, such as a '65 F-350 and '64 E-350. As such, this does not seem any better or worse.
Would I pay the money for a disc conversion?? No. Not an improvement over stock, harder to get parts, and under-spec'ed to boot. These are mid-sized CAR calipers, so too close to their design limit, IMHO.
Would I convert BACK to four drums?? Yes, If I could just find backing plates, I've collected everything else. (Sell me yours to partly fund the conversion )

All that said, the other consideration is the intended use of the truck. Mine's a three-season Truck. I use it for hauling, errand running, and just truck stuff. I have a car and motorcycle which I use for all the rest of the moving about. And I trust the Ford engineers.

If I had stuffed a larger engine (there are none smaller than mine - 240/6), had more highway use, or lived in the city, I might rethink. However, since it's do-able easily enough, I'd opt for a complete re-do with FORD components, because repairing what you've done due to wear will become necessary. All of the brake components are wear items subject to occasional replacement over the years. FORD components will always be easier to find than custom-drilled rotors.

Your money, your truck, my opinion.

Cosmo

 

Cosmo is running a stock 6cyl engine in his truck. I agree that if the truck remains as originally designed, it will be adequate for the use it was intended.
I constantly overload and otherwise abuse mine, so, I needed an engine with more power, a suspension to withstand "police" type abuse, and brakes to stop a freight train. All that is found in the Crown Vic conversion, (11 inch brakes designed to stop at least 6500 lbs, (curb weight plus passengers, luggage and towing capacity) power rack and pinion steering, springs designed for performance driving, etc.) which is why so many folks have done it to their older trucks which have original (comparatively somewhat anemic) components.
My real-world story is from shortly after I swapped a 351W and AOD into my '64. I was traveling home on the highway at around 60 MPH as I came to a t- intersection at an industrial park which the highway passes. I had about a thousand pounds of vehicle parts in the bed at the time. As I approached the intersection, a tractor trailer (obviously loaded-I surmised in hindsight) pulled out to cross said highway in front of me, leaving what probably would have been a hard stop for an unladen modern pickup. Mind you, I had no stop sign, and the trucker should have yielded the right of way to me. I stood on the brake pedal (to impending lockup, but not locking the wheels so I could retain control) and my 40 year old brakes and suspension chose to go left, so I hauled 'er over to the right as best I could, and aimed for the back of the trailer, thinking that if I hit the tires on the trailer at least I wouldn't be decapitated. I remember seeing the trucker in his cab, his eyes growing to the size of saucers as he realized his mistake. Apparently, he did the right thing and stepped down on his throttle, because just at the last second I saw pavement and daylight at the back of his trailer. I clipped the stop sign post with my RH mirror and missed the back of that trailer by less than an inch with my LH mirror, as I went by at about 20 mph.
The fact that the stock stuff wasn't adequate for my needs was immediately apparent, and after I cleaned the seat, I swapped in some power disc brakes that weekend.

 

The CV rotors are actually 12" in diameter with twin-piston front calipers.

Dentside F100/F150 front discs are 11" in diameter with single piston front calipers.

 

Stick with 1973-74 F100 disc brakes donors. You only need spindles not I beams same king pins as 1965-66. I went with 1979 disc brake backing plates they have cooling slot and cover edge of disc.1967 ford f100 booster and 67 brake switch,need 1967 peddle mounting bolt a litte longer than 1966.1974 master cylinder for drum brakes rear, disc brakes front.you will also need front disc brake hoses and hose bracket off 1973-79 disc brake truck. have pictures of parts and more information if needed. Takes time to get all parts. Went through three sets of spindles to find set that was not rusted or damaged.Where i live lots of rust.

 

 

1965 F100/250 2WD king pins are 1965 only. The spindle bolt locking pin is in a different location than 1966/71 which is the same.

 

ONTMERC mentioned something about getting the hose bracket off the doner truck. I have heard this before on the forum. I have the front end off a 1979 F250 which I would like to put on my 65. Unfortunately I do not have the hose bracket.

Does anyone have a picture or source for this bracket as well as where exactly to located it.

Thanks

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1973-1979-F...item23b5d7fc1c
They don't come up very often.

 

Sorry for interrupting this thread.

However I bought the ebay brackets now where do they go or should I be able to figure it out when it's together.

Thanks

 

 

Here is another picture of the 1973-79 disc brake hose brackets. The brackets are just behind the spring mount on the frame,on donor truck one side is held on with two bolts other side is one bolt one and rivet.