disc brake conversion
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 835
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From: Fort Rucker, AL
I have a '72 donor truck and thinking about converting my '69 to disc brakes. It'll work it's just not as good as '73-'77. Is the I-beam length the same on a '72 as a '69? I really don't want to mess with kingpins. I've tried to get mine out and they won't budge.
Last edited by debestuss; Jul 18, 2004 at 12:04 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 170
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Originally Posted by Tech 1
Red 68 : I noticed that you mentioned using the steering linkage from the 75 model truck on your power steering swap. I am doing the swap on a 70 model f100 2wd. I had 77 linkage for mine and it appears that since the axles are too wide the linkage would also be too wide. So I went and got my old I beams and Linkage back. I can still get the 77 linkage if I need it. Were you able to adjust it down to fit with the tie rod end or was it a direct bolt up? I would rather use the 77 linkage because I won't have to grind the 1/8 off the spindle ears then. I spit on my truck about once a week. Thanks
Red
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 835
Likes: 0
From: Fort Rucker, AL
Originally Posted by debestuss
I have a '72 donor truck and thinking about converting my '69 to disc brakes. It'll work it's just not as good as '73-'77. Is the I-beam length the same on a '72 as a '69? I really don't want to mess with kingpins. I've tried to get mine out and they won't budge.
Thanks Red. I think I'll go get my 77 linkage back and see how it is going to work.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,415
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From: Lower 48
Originally Posted by Tech 1
I did the complete front end swap on my 70 F-100 using a 77 donor truck. I used all the components out of the 77. Be advised that the front end on the 77 is much wider if you use the I beams. I am probably going to go and see if I can get my 70 I beams and radius arms back from the junk yard and swap them out. I am concerned with what may be a handling problem and fender clearance issues due to the difference in width between the front end and the rear end. I am doing an off the frame restore on this truck so I don't have it on the road yet. I thought about using the entire rear end out of the 77 but I would have to move the spring pads and shock brackets and then a gear change because the 77 rear is auto. and the 70 is standard. If anyone has done this front end swap to A wider front end I would appreciate hearing from you.
Trail Rider
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 129
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From: Fayetteville, N.C.
Front Disc swap
Well I went and got the steering linkage back from the 77 model and it fit like a charm. If I had used the 77 front axles I would have had to move the spring pads on the 77 rear axle and buy new wheels for it to look right. Now everything is lined up. I THINK the frame width changed from 73 to 74 and up.
