Hello everyone,
I am 19 years old and I just bought my dream truck a 1978 F150 4wd. It has a 6.6L 400 V8 I think and I am in the process of restoring it.
I'm no expert and will certainly need a lot of help and information so I hope to learn a lot from people here with knowledge.

Now on to my first question.
The truck runs great but it had very bad brakes, so I replaced the master cylinder, proportioning valve, and all new brake lines. The front brakes are fine but the rear brakes are toast. Completely rusted over and brake fluid won't even come out of the bleeder screws. I figure I just want to upgrade my brake system and convert my rear drums into disk brakes. So my question is does anyone have any recommendations for what disk brakes to use? I did some reading and read about upgrading to a 1978 F350 brake booster and MC. LMC has a rear disk brake conversion kit, has anyone used this? What will I need to change if I decide to use an F350 brake booster and MC?

Thanks

 

Nice truck, and welcome to FTE. I haven't done a rear disc swap on my '79, so I can't help much. But there's plenty of guys here that can help you with that. I did do the F350 booster swap that you mentioned, and I advise against it. It works, but it makes the pedal feel way too soft. What I do advise, is to swap in a late model master cylinder. I cannot remember which one I used, but I'll look it up and get back to you. It has a larger bore, which pushes more fluid. The change I did to my brake system that made this most improvement, was to get rid of the factory type proportioning valve, and installed a Wilwood adjustable valve on the rear brake line. I plumbed the front brakes direct to the master cylinder. My brakes are good now.

 

If you weld or know someone who can you might be able to save alot of money

https://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/R2046.html

 

Thanks Evan, ill look into this.

 

Thanks for the reply ranger, Ill look into this.

 

Great truck!

the factory drums in good working order are pretty good and would be a fraction of the cost and effort to just replace with new parts.

Also a good idea to replace axle seals while you are in there.

 

I despise drums I
I gladly spend the 400 t I go disc. I probly will on mine when it time for brakes.
I have converted every vehicle ive had in the last 15years to disc rear. Lol thats all of like 4 vehichles

 

Loman,
Welcome to the forum. Allot of experienced folks who will share it.
Like Ranger 140892 mentioned above, if you do decide to change the master cylinder with a Ford OEM modern translucent master cylinder, ensure the piston bore is the same, which I think ours are 15/16", if not it's a 1" piston bore. But check to be sure. You can use one from 1999 - 2004 V6 cyl Mustang, not a V8 Mustang. The V6 Mustang used the same master cylinder piston bore as our F-100 and F-150 Dentside trucks, If my memory is correct, you can also use one from a mid 1990s Mercury Sable and Ford Tarus. Just make sure your brake line connect on the same side as they are in original form. If you decide to convert to a modern master cylinder, you need to re-flare performing Bubble Flares. On the 6 cyl Mustang master cylinder on of the brake lines port is M10 X 1.0 with part # ST8036 and the other port is M12 X 1.0 with part # ST8040. Our OEM Brake line is 3/16" with metric size 4.75mm.

I can't take credit for the information, I got a couple years back from Forum member "Ultra Ranger", he seems to know brake systems.

 

Welcome to the forum!
Make sure you post pics of your work!