I've recently put a Dana 70 out of a '74 Ford F-350 in my 2nd truck because I didn't trust the original Timken axle. I'll have more info on that later. I found a '76 Ford truck shop manual at the library so I could make sure I put the brakes brake together right. When I was flipping through the axle section I noticed on the front Dana 44 4x4 axle on the '76 F-100 has rotors that bolt to the hub on the studs. This got me thinking about disc brakes for our trucks.
This setup would use your stock drum hub. You would just need front rotors and wheel studs for a '76 F-100 4x4. You would have to figure out how to mount the caliper and make the bracket.

I don't know if this work or not and I wrote this article (below) when I was researching rear brakes for my truck.

Better Brakes for 51-67 Rear Differentials

This article is for those that are going to keep their stock differential and want a little better braking. This is accurate to the best of my knowledge. This works for the Dana 44 and Ford 9”. I’m also assuming that you know how to work on brakes and differentials.

In ‘68 Ford increased the rear brake pads to 11x2.25. Thankfully it is very easy to upgrade your drums. All you need is all the brake parts off a 68-72 Ford 9” with the big axle bearing. ‘73-79 parts may work since they use the same brake pads and Napa lists the same bearing as used in the ‘51-69. In ‘70 Ford used three different axle bearings but again Napa lists the same bearing as previously mentioned. First jack up the differential and put it on jack stands or blocks. You may want to use wheel ***** on the front wheels so the truck doesn’t roll forward. Next remove the brake drums and brake assembly. Remove the four bolts that holds the axle retainer plate to the axle housing by inserting a socket through the hole in the axle face. After the axle is removed the backing plate should come off easily. Clean the axle housing hub and put a new gasket on or use a silicon gasket maker. Put on the backing plate. Make sure you put the CORRECT SIDE on or you won’t be able to reattach the emergency cables. I’ve learned this on a previous occasion once I had differential put back together. You may want to install new pads at this time. ‘56-67 owners you can reuse your existing wheel cylinders since they are the same. ‘51-55 owners I’d recommend purchasing new ones rather that reusing the old ones unless you know they are good. It’s just cheap insurance and again make use you put them on the CORRECT SIDE as they are different. Assemble the brake parts and inspect the drums for excessive wear and pitting. Put the wheel back on and repeat for other side. You have now upgraded your rear breaking system. I hope this helps someone.

I researched this topic when I was planning on putting my Dana 44 in my M-3 as I could almost rebuild the entire rear brakes for the same price as the M-3 rear wheel cylinders but stalled when I noticed I wouldn’t be able to use wheel adapters for 5x5.5” to 8x6.5”. On a side note I found out that the ’51-56 Dana 44’s use the same axle length as the ’57-72 Ford 9” axles. If the spider gears from the Ford 9” fit the Dana 44 carrier it would be possible to run 28 spline axles in the Dana 44 rear ends.

 

Nathan

Take a look at my gallery, I have pics of the front disk setup on a f-3.
I had posted how it was done, and what parts to use. It was quite easy to put together.

Paul

 

My disc brake idea is just a low budget disc brake conversion for a F-1 and F-100. What parts did you use? I've converted my first M-3 to F-1 axles and hubs so I don't have 8 bolt hubs anymore. The second truck is staying all drums as I don't want to redo the entire brake system on it to run discs. Looks like a Dana 60 in the rear. I'm guessing because it looks like stock u-bolts and you can't keep the stock overloads if you run a Dana 70 and stock u-bolts.

 

I did not realize that you were using a five bolt pattern. I will try to post a link to a previous post, which will explain what i used.
Yes the rear end i used is a dana 60, it just bolted right up. I also try to go the low budget way. if I was able to find decent used discs, the brake conversion would have cost under $100.00.

Paul.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...d.php?t=175697

 

Okay i am a little confused Nathan.
I bought a rear end (cheap) I think it's a 68 (I will confirm this later) thinking this would be a bolt in procoeedure, well right off i can tell the shock mounts are different. But now i am reading this post and am wondering maybe instead of changing the whole rear end out can i.........
just pull the axles, put the newer axles in the housing with the new backing plates and hardware ????
Assuming the splines on the axles were all the same.

 

You're talking about the ford 9" right? If so it should work as you have planned. While you have the axles out check your axle bearings.