Has anyone used TSM Mfg out of Colorado disc brake kits? What has been your experience? Was researching Speedway but they do not sell an 8 bolt kit and claim they are very rare if available at all. The TSM option is not cheap but would like to maintain the 8 bolt for my F68 1 ton
CJ

 

I bought the kit (8-bolt pattern) from TSM for the front of my 1949 F3, but have not installed it yet. I am almost ready, but it will be over the holidays, once the frame prep is finished. Before I ordered, I spoke to David at TSM about some of the details of the kit and what is involved; it is always cool when you speak to people who like and know what they are doing.

In theory you can _relatively_ easily put together your own disc brake conversion kit. I paid for the convenience of the kit and not having to "figure out and fab one more thing" (caliper brackets) in the rebuild.

Anyway, the kit shipped pretty quickly, and looks to be of excellent quality. In my case, the caliper mounting brackets are powder coated red (not my choice, but looks good).

For installation, you will have to weld the brake line to brake hose connection tab on and reverse the position of the shock mount (reverse the way the mount bolts are seated).

I also went for disc brakes on the rear, but since I did an 1968 F-250 rear swap (the drum brakes on that axle were a rust-welded mess - had to cut a drum apart - not worth rebuilding in my opinion), I ordered the kit for that from Lugnut4x4. TSM had a kit for that axle, but Lugnut had more options, was a bit cheaper with free shipping, and I liked their caliper mounting bracket solution better (TSM is a two-piece bracket to accomplish offset, Lugnut is a single piece with an S-bend)

All in all, I would say these kits are worth the money - if you want new rotors and calipers and don't want to fab you own caliper brackets. Component quality is good.

If you have some time and want to save money, you can do much better price-wise with some used or junkyard parts - there are quite a few threads here and elsewhere that break down which rotors and calipers to use and what needs to be done.

 

Really helpful Thanks, have not found a 250/350 rear end of the right year yet so good for you. I think the kit approach on this will work fine and the tip on weld and reverse is great. Will probably just rebuild the back breaks on existing axle for now.
Good luck with your build, we have similar projects so would be good to share as we move forward. I am currently looking for a 351 engine and manual transmission to replace the flat 8. When we costed out the rebuild on the 8BA, I just could not justify cost for the old engine. I have the 4 speed that went with it.
Regards
CJ

 

I am keeping my flathead for now. I considered a 351 swap, but I put that off for now, unless the 8BA is just too anemic, since I plan to use the truck as normal vehicle, not a show car.

I did do a swap for a T5 speed transmission though (to go with the rear end swap), as I don't like double clutching. I pulled the transmission from a 1995 junkyard S10 in great condition ($80 with shifter and driveshaft on 40% off day at the local PickaPart). I used a kit from Cornhuskers for that; bolted right on.

The paring of the trans and the rear (3.54 NLS) with the 8BA should give ok drivability, but OD will likely not be much use with the ole flattie.

 

Hey CJ21, what part of Calgary are you in? I’ve converted two of my trucks to disc brakes 1948 F68 and 1952 M3. Both keeping the 8 bolt hubs. I used the components from 1977 F250. It takes a bit of time but I didn’t want to spend the money on the TSM kit. I have all the part numbers if you are interested. I also have an extra Dana 60 rear end here i might consider selling. I don’t know the ratio, but I can find out. Someone put it into a 62 F100 unibody that I bought. I have a Dana 60 from a 72 F250 in my 48 and one from 69 in my 52. I live just east of Chestermere if you want to have a look at what I did. The rims are 16.5 from a 77 F250, I used hubcap clips to hold the original hubcaps on. I haven’t had any fall off yet. Doug.

 

I put the TSM kit in my '49 F3. Despite what the marketing info says this is not a plug-and-play kit for the F2/F3.

You will need to cut your inner fenders, remove and relocate the shock mounts to the other side of the axle, trim and file the included caliper spacers, and buy longer brake hoses. The kit instructions do not mention any of that.

However once that is all done the brake kit will work. I had no trouble stopping my F3 on the long highway trip from Maine to PA during the September Truckstock event, which included coming down steep Hyner View mountain on a very warm day. Disc brakes were better than the stock drum ones. Tom

 

The instructions I got with the kit (about 4 months ago) mention the shock mount and brake lines, but not the inner fender bit. That is interesting.
Did you have to do this because the wheel offset changed with the disc brake kit? (In my opinion it shouldn't: that ought to be the whole point of a kit approach)

I will be using 16 inch wheels from a 2000-ish Ford Econovan, that have the right offset... although I had test-fitted them with the drum brakes still on.
So now I am wondering if this needs rethinking or a spacer.

Dre

 

Muppy1840, I'm interested in the part numbers for your F250 brake swap. Iv'e already got a 1972 Dana 60 in the rear. It would be nice to have front discs off a F250. Do you think they would clear the 16" innies from an F2? I have some later rims if not. Would be nice to be able to keep the innies though.

 

Hi Dre,

I wonder if they updated their instructions after myself and probably at least one other F2/F3 customer said that it is NOT a direct fit kit.
But yes, the inner fenders have to be cut in order to make room for the new location of the shocks. No way to make them fit the old opening.
Tom

 

Thanks Tom,

that makes sense re inner fender, and that is def not mentioned in the instructions.

Dre

 

Here are a couple of DYI conversations by two former FTE members. I compiled this before the F-2/3 kits were offered.
F-2/F-3 Front Disc Brake Conversion

 

Thanks Bob!

 

That is the info I used to do my conversions. Scott give me a couple days and I can get the parts list if you still want it. Doug.

 

Doug, I would appreciate it. Thanks!

 

Would appreciate copy of that list as well
CJ21