Hey all,
So my overtightened wheel bearing went out on the Thanksgiving weekend (I won't make that mistake again) and it still isn't fixed. I bought the parts but after ripping everything apart, the spindle had some severe damage. I figured I'd better take it off and get a new one. So instead of a quick wheel bearing change I take off the fender so I can get a good whack at the king pin (after removal of the rotor/hub of course), this is the first time I've done this too. So after taking the zurk caps and pin out I start swinging a mini-sledge.....and got nowhere....so I go to a 10lb sledge and........get nowhere! ARGH. So I proceed to take off the I-Beams and tie rod (I think the tie rod) so I can take it to my grandpa's 40-ton press, luckily he has one in his shop. During all of this I think to myself, 'ya know, I think I remember an article from the guys at FTE about disc brakes.....REVELATION......why don't I just upgrade to disc brakes while I'm here!'. So I dig up a guy with the whole front end (frame down) with discs and buy it for $60. I didn't want to mess with the sledge and immediately take the setup to the press. After 36,000lbs of pressure and no movement I remember the horizontal bolt.....whew. After removal of the horizontal bolt I find I can pound the pin out with a mini-sledge......the other side however, didn't prove to be so easy. After 20 or so tons and several C-clamps for mounting our 50lbs setup of truck parts the king pin finally moves. Now I'm down to spindle and brakes. I get them home and take them apart to discover the rotors are beyond repair and one of the spindles is damaged......basically I bought a spindle for $60 bucks....ARGH! Now I'm pissed and my truck is in pieces 70 miles away. At least I have the calipers for a core I guess...... So now I'm needing to buy new stuff which really isn't that expensive, I've figured about $200 bucks or so, or buy this '78 F250 I've found for $650 o.b.o. with a 460, tailgate, brakes and nice bench seat.....all of which my truck is lacking........and swap parts. DILEMMA

 

I seem to have the issue working on my boat hahaha I just never can say ok that good enough, next. What the heck is up with that ???? I hope it doesnt start on this truck as well or big problems,,LOL

 

Craig-the F250 stuff is different(brakes,hubs,rotors,spindle) so that won't help you. I would keep looking for the other spindle-just make sure it is the same year so there are not any kingpin issues. It helps in buying replacement parts later too.

 

Thanks Putt, I assumed most of it was the same, glad I didn't make that mistake! I am in another dilemma though as the guy has a 79 F100 in decent shape with a blown motor (I don't mean forced induction) and wants to get rid of it too for cheap. So now I'm looking at getting a 78 F250 and a 79 F100 for $500 and both are in good shape. Whats the going rate for a bone stock running 460?

 

Better yet, and this has come to me after reading all over FTE, why don't I pick up these two new trucks and swap over my sheet metal to the 79 F100 frame? I believe I'd be picking up power disc brakes, power steering, a wider frame, a gas tank that isn't in the cab and still have the benefit of a great looking slick! I don't hear any cons here....anybody got any? Now what do I do with that 460?

 

I'd have to drive 300+ miles but would get it out of your hair for ya

 

Yeah Bob, I saw you had some woes of your own on the other posts and thought about ya, a 460 would go pretty well in your truck too! If I can take over the garage where my truck is now I'll keep it for a '58 Edsel Villager Resto I want to sink my hands into.....but first the Truck! I think I'm decided on switching my '65 sheet metal onto the 79 frame!

 

Well, none of the above stuff worked out. I have however found another 79 that isn't running that would work. It's a 4x4 though. Will my sheet-metal still swap onto this frame (without too much hassle)? I'd like to have the bonus of four wheel drive if I can.....

 

Started a new thread "More Questions = New Posting ('65 to 4x4)"