Disk brake conversion
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,231
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From: Near Fresno, California
Disk brake conversion
I have been looking over the solid front axle of my 59 - has anyone ever changed the spindle at the king pin for one with disk brakes? Sure would be an easy mod!
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,005
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From: Santa Clarita
What spindle would fit right on that has disc brakes on it? I don't know what vehicles had disc brakes on them with a straight axle front end. The other thing to be concerned with is the diameter of the king pins and will the spindles bolt right up?. I just completed the disc conversion kit from CPP. It wasn't much more difficult than pulling the whole the spindles off. It's actually a pretty cool kit and works really nice.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,231
Likes: 1
From: Near Fresno, California
No straight axle had disks, to my knowledge. but what is the difference between a straight axle and a twin I beam - from the king pins out? Changing the spindles is a good mod for the 66 to 72 drum to disk conversion, why wouldn't it also work on a straight axle, assuming the king pins are the same size, or can be machined to the same size?
Seems simple, but if it was that easy someone would have already done it. What am I missing?
Seems simple, but if it was that easy someone would have already done it. What am I missing?
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,005
Likes: 2
From: Santa Clarita
*****, good question. I don't have the answer to that one and I'm not sure on the Twin I beam spindles as to the compatiblity of the straight axle front. Your right, if it was that easy to convert, people would of already been installing them. You got my curiousity going on this one.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Michigan
Master Power brakes sells a kit to convert the straight axle to disc. They have two kits. One uses the 5X5-1/2 bolt center on the original hubs or you can convert to the later configuration of 5X4-1/2 or 5X4-3/4 bolt center. 704-664-8866
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Joined: Sep 2004
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The site below offers a bolt on kit for disc brakes with a variety of bolt patterns. One of the best features I think is that it uses readily available off the shelf parts.
So far no one makes a kit for me yet, because no one makes an 8 lug conversion kit
Dennis
http://ecihotrodbrakes.com/early_for...nversions.html
So far no one makes a kit for me yet, because no one makes an 8 lug conversion kit
Dennis
http://ecihotrodbrakes.com/early_for...nversions.html
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New User
Joined: Sep 2004
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I posted this in a couple other spots but it's applicable here too
Dennis
I found a place in CT that makes two piece adaptors that can convert the number of lug nuts. Has anyone ever thought about this as an option? The minimum thickness it 1.75 inches, but could be more due to the size of the bolt patterns involved. I have an inquiry to them, but probably won't hear from them until Monday at the earliest.
Just thought I would ask the gurus here what they thought.
Dennis
http://www.skulte.com
Dennis
I found a place in CT that makes two piece adaptors that can convert the number of lug nuts. Has anyone ever thought about this as an option? The minimum thickness it 1.75 inches, but could be more due to the size of the bolt patterns involved. I have an inquiry to them, but probably won't hear from them until Monday at the earliest.
Just thought I would ask the gurus here what they thought.
Dennis
http://www.skulte.com
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,955
Likes: 9,727
From: Rio Rancho, NM
I used teh ECI kit on my 49. Quick and easy!. I bought the basic kit as I already had the calipers. The basic kit comes with the bracket, bolts, and bearing adapters. Here's the part that might stop some of the purists, the kits requires GM calipers and outer bearings.
Basically you use late 70's to early 80's ford 1/2 ton rotors, inner bearings and seals, and dust cap
GM big car calipers,
GM mid sized car outer bearings.
If you do this, take the tuip thats posted on the BonusBuilt web site;
clean up your spindles really good, place the bearing adapters in your oven at 400+ degrees. Then one at a time take them out of the oven and slip them over your spindle. then you just need to tap them in place to seat them instead of having to beat the heck out of them. (i made a driver out of pipe)
Bobby
Basically you use late 70's to early 80's ford 1/2 ton rotors, inner bearings and seals, and dust cap
GM big car calipers,
GM mid sized car outer bearings.
If you do this, take the tuip thats posted on the BonusBuilt web site;
clean up your spindles really good, place the bearing adapters in your oven at 400+ degrees. Then one at a time take them out of the oven and slip them over your spindle. then you just need to tap them in place to seat them instead of having to beat the heck out of them. (i made a driver out of pipe)
Bobby
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,908
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From: Seattle WA.
Originally Posted by WillyB
I have been looking over the solid front axle of my 59 - has anyone ever changed the spindle at the king pin for one with disk brakes? Sure would be an easy mod!
Last edited by 51ford fan; Nov 21, 2005 at 04:04 PM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,335
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From: waco
***** B, Your idea has me curious. I don't see why it wouldn't work out side of the drag link issue. I wonder if a person could use the 73 to 79 spindels that are set up for disk breaks and then use a rack and pinion set up?
Doc
Doc
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Originally Posted by cbfomoco
does anyone make a kit to use ford calpers?
Vern