Front disc conversion, or axle replace?
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From: Citrus Heights, CA
Front disc conversion, or axle replace?
Now that he is going to have a brand new (rebuilt) 360 with plenty of go-go juice, My son will need to stop his beast. I am encouraging him to move to front disk brakes on his '73 highboy. He has the original closed knuckle/drum brake system. I have one question (in three parts).
If I replace the front axle to a later model with disc brakes, which year makes for the easiest swap? (D44/4.09). I read the bits in other threads about master cylinder mods.
Is there a disc brake conversion kit that would fit on his existing closed knuckle axle?
Are there other ways to do this conversion that make for a slicker way to go?
If I replace the front axle to a later model with disc brakes, which year makes for the easiest swap? (D44/4.09). I read the bits in other threads about master cylinder mods.
Is there a disc brake conversion kit that would fit on his existing closed knuckle axle?
Are there other ways to do this conversion that make for a slicker way to go?
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From: Northeast Nebraska
Find a 76 or early 77 D44 from an F-250. It should be a direct replacement. Id redo the brakes on the new axle if needed then see how it stops. If its not good enough then maybe replace the proportioning valve to match a front disc truck. Does the 73 have a power brake booster? If not then Id add one. Then you should be good to go or I mean stop.
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From: Citrus Heights, CA
Originally Posted by 74 F100 351m
Can you cange the front axle to a 78-79 HD Dana44? That would get the disk brakes.
Last edited by AnOldDog; Dec 28, 2005 at 07:18 PM.
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Well I'm going to be doing that same swap on my 74 highboy. You can use axles from 76-79 without any major headaches. 76-77.5 is the easiest it's a direct bolt on. 78-79 you need to move the springs, nothing major though. The highboys had a narrower frame than the 78-79 f250s 4x4. 80s and up often require more fabrication than most home mechanics can handle.
I found myself a donor 78 f250 4x4 for my own conversion, it's also good for other parts you might need to get the job done. I'll be getting to that in the spring. My gallery has photos of the axle and truck I'll be using for the swap.
Madmike33
I found myself a donor 78 f250 4x4 for my own conversion, it's also good for other parts you might need to get the job done. I'll be getting to that in the spring. My gallery has photos of the axle and truck I'll be using for the swap.
Madmike33
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From: Maple Ridge B.C. Canada
hey madmike33,areyou sure you have to move the springs?i was always under the impression the frames of the 771/2-79 were only different from the back of the cab to the rear bumper.(i could be wrong),im just asking,because im not 100 percent sure.
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I have swapped a 1978 Ford F250 D44 high pinon front axle onto my 1975 Ford F250 that had drum brakes on front axle. I unbolted the whole leaf spring bolt on front and the upper shackle bolt on rear leaf springs (on rear leaf the exhaust pipe had to be dropped to remove the bolt), thus removing the whole leaf spring and axle in one piece with tie rod ends and all. Also use the rubber brake lines off the disk brakes.
Compare rear shackles on the your front axle drum with the shackles on the front axle disk. The reason why is the shackle of the 1978 axle with front disk brakes had longer shackles and that is why I choose to remove them.
Two bird with one stone, My old drum front axle had a broken shock mount and was take care off with the disk brake axle.
Compare rear shackles on the your front axle drum with the shackles on the front axle disk. The reason why is the shackle of the 1978 axle with front disk brakes had longer shackles and that is why I choose to remove them.
Two bird with one stone, My old drum front axle had a broken shock mount and was take care off with the disk brake axle.
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From: North US Border, Canada
Originally Posted by hotroddually
hey madmike33,areyou sure you have to move the springs?i was always under the impression the frames of the 771/2-79 were only different from the back of the cab to the rear bumper.(i could be wrong),im just asking,because im not 100 percent sure.
Madmike33
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From: Northeast Nebraska
1975Ford, If you go with a high pinion 77.5-79 do you need to change the drive shaft length?
If I were doing this swap Id definitely add power brakes. Your best bet is to find a donor truck and take as much of the brake system as you can. Watch out for the 77.5-79 axles cause they often times had 3.54 gears. 76 & early 77's are most simular (low pinion) to pre 76 axles.
If I were doing this swap Id definitely add power brakes. Your best bet is to find a donor truck and take as much of the brake system as you can. Watch out for the 77.5-79 axles cause they often times had 3.54 gears. 76 & early 77's are most simular (low pinion) to pre 76 axles.
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FordTrucksKickGM, My drive shaft was missing when I bought my truck, I had to make a new one using one of a donor truck from the wrecking yard. I bought a drive shaft with a good yoke and which was a little longer then I need. I then took it to a machine shop to have them shorten the drive shaft (50.00), the u-joint on the drive shaft happen to fit the yokes (Was lucky on I didn't have to replace the u-joint). The drive shaft I used was off a 1977 Ford 2wd rear drive line.
Last edited by 1975Ford; Dec 29, 2005 at 04:47 PM.