Disc brake conversion
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Trailering
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 17
Likes: 1
From: Denver Colorado
Disc brake conversion
Hey there! My truck is underway for a complete frame up restoration! Motor is rebuilt and more. I am now thinking i want to convert to disc brakes all the way around. Of course I have an 8 lug set up now and i think i plan to keep that. Is there any good reason not to keep 8? I have not purchased my new rims/tires yet but will do so before i have them order my brake conversion kits. With 8 lugs would you say there are less rim choices? I of course will never haul or pull anything. I am thinking of going with a different size tire than i had. What size tires do you cats suggest will work? I'm not looking for a low rider look. I'm keeping her as stock as I can. I can't wait to share pics! Thanks for any experienced advice you can give me!
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 483
Likes: 141
From: Colorado Springs
I personally would keep the F250 a F250 with 8 lug wheels, if your truck is a 2WD you can look for disc brake set up from a F250 dentside truck (1973-79). Here is a write up on how to do the disc brake conversion.
Installing Disc Brakes on Your 2WD Pickup - Pt. 1 - FORDification.com
Installing Disc Brakes on Your 2WD Pickup - Pt. 1 - FORDification.com
Thread Starter
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Trailering
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 17
Likes: 1
From: Denver Colorado
I personally would keep the F250 a F250 with 8 lug wheels, if your truck is a 2WD you can look for disc brake set up from a F250 dentside truck (1973-79). Here is a write up on how to do the disc brake conversion.
Installing Disc Brakes on Your 2WD Pickup - Pt. 1 - FORDification.com
Installing Disc Brakes on Your 2WD Pickup - Pt. 1 - FORDification.com
Thank you! She is a 2WD. The resto shop will do this conversion for me. They have priced the conversion kits from CPP and Wildwood. Looks like it will run about 2.4k for all of the parts and labor. This is of course keeping with the 8 lugs.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,920
Likes: 271
I would always go OEM over aftermarket, every time.
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Trailering
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 17
Likes: 1
From: Denver Colorado
Hi Bobby, are you suggesting it would not be a good idea to go with the kits we found and pick up a used system? I guess I am curious why not after market for brakes? It will not be a daily driver and only a show truck. I appreciate your feedback!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 932
Likes: 182
Here's my take. 8 lug will yield more rim choices than 5x5.5 rims. Disc brake is a good idea and now is the time to do it. I think discs were offered as an option around 1970 on f-250's so you have a long runway of years for conversions. 8 lug will also yield better tire size options as well being that most 8 lugs are 16's. 15's are harder and harder to find. I'm personally not aware of a conversion kit to disc's on 8 lug but even if there was I would shy away from one. The kits are probably just fine, but if I need parts I'd rather walk in and tell the parts guy I need a rotor, caliper, hose, pad from a 1975 f250 than, "I have a Wilwood kit that used corvette brakes" or whatever. Also and this is a total fud comment, if you want 5 lug go get an f-100 and let someone who wants an f-250 buy your truck.
This is all just one man's opinion though. You do what you want. Just enjoy it and don't let it sit in the garage and collect dust after it's done.
This is all just one man's opinion though. You do what you want. Just enjoy it and don't let it sit in the garage and collect dust after it's done.
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Trailering
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 17
Likes: 1
From: Denver Colorado
Here's my take. 8 lug will yield more rim choices than 5x5.5 rims. Disc brake is a good idea and now is the time to do it. I think discs were offered as an option around 1970 on f-250's so you have a long runway of years for conversions. 8 lug will also yield better tire size options as well being that most 8 lugs are 16's. 15's are harder and harder to find. I'm personally not aware of a conversion kit to disc's on 8 lug but even if there was I would shy away from one. The kits are probably just fine, but if I need parts I'd rather walk in and tell the parts guy I need a rotor, caliper, hose, pad from a 1975 f250 than, "I have a Wilwood kit that used corvette brakes" or whatever. Also and this is a total fud comment, if you want 5 lug go get an f-100 and let someone who wants an f-250 buy your truck.
This is all just one man's opinion though. You do what you want. Just enjoy it and don't let it sit in the garage and collect dust after it's done.
This is all just one man's opinion though. You do what you want. Just enjoy it and don't let it sit in the garage and collect dust after it's done.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,008
Likes: 250
From: North Pole, Alaska
F-250 disc brakes were an option from 1968 to 1972 so you can find those also. Easier to just find the complete I-beam assemblies with brakes, and just swap those after reconditioning of the components as Bobby and TC said.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,920
Likes: 271
I did the disc swap on my 72 F100 using donor spindles and calipers from a 75 F100. The calipers were rebuilt and new king pins installed on the beams/spindles. I bought new OEM master cylinder and rebuilt booster for 75 F100 from the local parts store. The PV2 combo valve was from Summit Racing. All of these parts bolt in with no modification and are available locally if I need replacement. The only thing I fabricated was the brake lines and the booster-to-firewall seal.
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