When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Below is a picture of the F100 spindle I removed from my '66, and the HD '66 up F250 spindle. The standard F250 spindle looks identical to the F100 spindle with the only exception being the larger journals, both inner and outer. The journals on the HD spindle are significantly larger. The disc brake bracket from '73 up will bolt on the HD spindle making a disc brake conversion easy.
I have not physically compared the '68-'72 F100 spindle, but if the Master Parts Catalog is correct, then it would have the same inner bearing journal size as the early F100, but the larger outer journal of the standard F250. I don't know why Ford would do something so stupid as to make a 3rd spindle of that same design with different bearing sizes, but Ford does some pretty stupid things sometimes. But the MPC also has errors, so until I physically compare/measure one I will take it with a grain of salt.
In '65 and early '66, trucks with a 7500 GVWR used the same F250 spindle as the lower rated trucks with the removable arm, so apparently brakes didn't factor into the equation for GVWR. The Truck MPC implies that all '66 F250s with a 7500 GVWR had HD brakes which used the spindle on the left with 12 x 2.5" shoes and drums, but many members have reported their '66 trucks have the 7500 GVWR and yet have the regular 12 1/8 x 2" drums which use the spindle style on the right.
The drum on the left is the HD 12 x 2.5". Notice the ring around the bolts. It has a unique backing plate and spring arrangement. The drum on the right is the standard F250 12 1/8 x 2" with the 3 screws that retain it to the hub. It uses the regular spring arrangement as used on the F100 and passenger cars.
The bearing on top is the outer bearing used on the standard F250 spindle and the '68-72 F100 spindle. The bearing on the bottom is the outer used on '64-'67 F100.
If you're going to upgrade your spindles and hubs, I don't see why you wouldn't use the standard '66-'72 F250 spindle with both larger inner and outer bearing journals. having said that, I don't know what bearings the '73-'79 disc brake rotors use, so you might need to buy a disc conversion kit made for a '68-'72.
To use the '68-72" 11 x 3" F100 brakes you will need the backing plates at a minimum. While the drum will fit on the early hub, the knurl on the bolts is smaller on the 64-67 so it won't fit snug. If you remove the wheel, the drum will just fall off if you're not careful. If you use the standard F250 spindles then you have to use '68 to '72 hubs or the outer bearing won't fit. I bought new replacement drums and they fit nice and snug on the '68-'72 hubs.
Just for extra credit, the '68-'72 F350 with drum brakes used an even beefier spindle with an integral arm that had huge bearings and a larger (1.06 IIRC) kingpin and massive 12 x 3" drums (2 different styles for SRW and DRW). The SRW style drums can also be found on '69- '72 E300 vans that fit those spindles. The disc brake brackets from '69-'79 will bolt on these spindles.
Last edited by 66v8baby; Mar 18, 2020 at 05:21 PM.
Reason: Correction
Below is a picture of the F100 spindle I removed from my '66, and the HD '66 up F250 spindle. The standard F250 spindle looks identical to the F100 spindle with the only exception being the larger journals, both inner and outer. The journals on the HD spindle are significantly larger. The disc brake bracket from '73 up will bolt on the HD spindle making a disc brake conversion easy.
I have not physically compared the '68-'72 F100 spindle, but if the Master Parts Catalog is correct, then it would have the same inner bearing journal size as the early F100, but the larger outer journal of the standard F250. I don't know why Ford would do something so stupid as to make a 3rd spindle of that same design with different bearing sizes, but Ford does some pretty stupid things sometimes. But the MPC also has errors, so until I physically compare/measure one I will take it with a grain of salt.
In '65 and early '66, trucks with a 7500 GVWR used the same F250 spindle as the lower rated trucks with the removable arm, so apparently brakes didn't factor into the equation for GVWR. The Truck MPC implies that all '66 F250s with a 7500 GVWR had HD brakes which used the spindle on the left with 12 x 2.5" shoes and drums, but many members have reported their '66 trucks have the 7500 GVWR and yet have the regular 12 1/8 x 2" drums which use the spindle style on the right.
The drum on the left is the HD 12 x 2.5". Notice the ring around the bolts. It has a unique backing plate and spring arrangement. The drum on the right is the standard F250 12 1/8 x 2" with the 3 screws that retain it to the hub. It uses the regular spring arrangement as used on the F100 and passenger cars.
The bearing on top is the outer bearing used on the standard F250 spindle and the '68-72 F100 spindle. The bearing on the bottom is the outer used on '64-'67 F100.
If you're going to upgrade your spindles and hubs, I don't see why you wouldn't use the standard '66-'72 F250 spindle with both larger inner and outer bearing journals. having said that, I don't know what bearings the '73-'79 disc brake rotors use, so you might need to buy a disc conversion kit made for a '68-'72.
To use the '68-72" 11 x 3" F100 brakes you will need the backing plates at a minimum. While the drum will fit on the early hub, the knurl on the bolts is smaller on the 64-67 so it won't fit snug. If you remove the wheel, the drum will just fall off if you're not careful. If you use the standard F250 spindles then you have to use '68 to '72 hubs or the outer bearing won't fit. I bought new replacement drums and they fit nice and snug on the '68-'72 hubs.
Just for extra credit, the '68-'72 F350 with drum brakes used an even beefier spindle with an integral arm that had huge bearings and a larger (1.06 IIRC) kingpin and massive 12 x 3" drums (2 different styles for SRW and DRW). The SRW style drums can also be found on '69- '72 E300 vans that fit those spindles. The disc brake brackets from '69-'79 will bolt on these spindles.
Great work. Looks like I have the standard drum with the 3 screws holding it on.
To bad I don't have a spare, I would drive around and find bearings and a rotor to fit.
PetesPonies,
Thank you for posting your inquiry on this topic and starting this thread. I had been thinking of these factory Drum brake options for quite some time. I have a 1963 F100 unibody (Integral Cab) that is still all-original with 223 I-6, 3-speed on the tree and straight axle front suspension. My curiosity was always for the possibility of retrofitting the 8-bolt (3/4 ton) front spindles and brake setup on the factory I-Beam front axle setup???
Please provide additional photos of your red 1964 F100 shown above for us to see.
66v8baby:
Thank you for your contribution in this thread. Any additional photos and details you might provide would be well received and appreciated. Wow, what a comparison of those 8-bolt drum setup's & bearings.
So, for clarity, in 1963/64 the F100 Leaf spring straight front axle "I-Beam" was the same component (I-Beam) used for either (both) the 5-bolt and 8-bolt spindle & brake set-up's, am I correct in that assumption?
I'd love to see a straight axle like mine with the 8-bolt setup on it, or a disected cross section of such a beast.
Many thanks to you all - Pete
Here is what I did. I machined a bushing to mount the A3 bearing on the '64 spindle. You see the A3 bearing ( from my '69 ) sitting on the bushing. Once the drum is mounted, I will see how much I may have to shorten the bushing.
So, for clarity, in 1963/64 the F100 Leaf spring straight front axle "I-Beam" was the same component (I-Beam) used for either (both) the 5-bolt and 8-bolt spindle & brake set-up's, am I correct in that assumption?
I'd love to see a straight axle like mine with the 8-bolt setup on it, or a disected cross section of such a beast.
Many thanks to you all - Pete
Yes, the '64 axle is the same for both F100 and F250. Since the '64 F250 used the same 12 1/8 x 2" brakes as the '65 up std F250, I'm sure you could swap the spindles onto your axle and use either the 8 bolt hub or the '68-72 F100 hub if you want to retain 5 lugs.
Originally Posted by PetesPonies
Here is what I did.
Nice job Pete! Always many ways to skin a cat. Can you report whether the inner bearing on your '69 F100 fits the '64 spindle or does it have a bigger ID?
Nice job Pete! Always many ways to skin a cat. Can you report whether the inner bearing on your '69 F100 fits the '64 spindle or does it have a bigger ID?
Good info.
Not sure if I missed it, but been very busy.
Does the '65 F250 12x2 drum have the A2 and are you saying this disc will fit the spindle of the '65?
Sorry very long week and things are not computing right now.
JB
It is supposed to work with an A2 outer bearing. But what exactly you have . .not sure. I'm sure the posters here should know as they were posting 250 stuff. Seems there are two different sizes? or was that only on the earlier ones?
It is supposed to work with an A2 outer bearing. But what exactly you have . .not sure. I'm sure the posters here should know as they were posting 250 stuff.
Yes I have a '65 F250 non-HDuty from what they are saying about the 12x2 brake drum etc.
Seems there are two different sizes? or was that only on the earlier ones?
I made the second bushing, so it's time to remove the backing plates, clean up the "new" ones, a little paint and get this ASSEMBLED. Hopefully it all goes together as planned.
I got the backing plate stripped today. I'll clean it and paint probably tomorrow and make the switch. The '64 has some grease and grime, not real bad, but I'll be cleaning it as I add the new pieces, So it will probably be a few days before it's completely assembled.
Yes I have a '65 F250 non-HDuty from what they are saying about the 12x2 brake drum etc.
Yes there is the confusion I think.
The HD F250 brakes were introduced in '66 on 2WD trucks with 7500 GVWR, so all '64 and '65 F 250s had the 12 1/8 x 2" drums and even some early '66 2WD trucks. All the 4WD F250s had the standard brakes in 65/66.
The HD F250 brakes were introduced in '66 on 2WD trucks with 7500 GVWR, so all '64 and '65 F 250s had the 12 1/8 x 2" drums and even some early '66 2WD trucks. All the 4WD F250s had the standard brakes in 65/66.
I installed the '69 backing plate and loaded it full of new pieces. Then installed the '69 drum with my bearing bushing I made. I did have to shorten it a bit, but worked out great.
