Hello all,
I have a 66 F-100 I have already installed an after-market power front disk setup that works great. my problem is that it did not mention in the literature that it would make the front track much wider. Would using i-beams from a later model truck fix this, and if so what year would you suggest? Also, I have found a motor mount swap kit that is for putting a small block into a '52 to '64 truck. What is so different between 64 and 66 these won't work in my truck. They look like they set on top of the frame rails and bolt to the outside. Any insight, or did I open a HUGE can of worms?? ?
Kris

 

Hello Kris, Welcome to FTE The nations truck stop.

I don't understand why you keep refering between so many year models.

Does your truck have the twin I-beam front axle or a single axle with front leaf springs under it?

John

 

Assuming you have a 66 F100 the track width is the same as a 79. the legenth of the I beams did not change from 65 to 79. Unless the beams came from a E series van then they would be slightly longer.

The front track is aproximatly 2 inches wider than the rear. Ford did not fix the track width untill 73 when they widened the rear frame and axle to match the front track.

I will also assume that by aftermarket you mean dream beams or similar units? These are ment to use the stock spindle? Need to give a little more info here please on what you mean aftermarket brakes? Identify the maker of the kit.

Also assuming you have a 1966, the motor mounts you mention are pretty much a waste of money as ford provided small block mounts in twing I beams form 68 on

Any ford truck with a 302 factory installed can supply the donor mounts. Engine will also use the stock engine pads.

The ones you mention are ment for installing a small block engine into a straight axle truck. meaning one that has from the factory a front motor mount and two mounts on the bell housing. Ford discontinued this in 64 on F100 and 250 two wheel drives, and switched to side engine mounts for 65.

More input Please

Garbz

 

OK, sorry I forgot to translate from my world of confusion to normal people. Mine is a '66 f-100 with twin i-beams, the brake kit (Master Power Brakes) I used just changed at the spindles, I am still using the stock i-beams. After I put the brake kit on my front wheels are flush with the inside of the fenders, the rear wheels have about 2 inches clearance on each side. Thanks for clearing up the motor mount thing Garbz. Also, thanks for the welcome.

Kris

 

Ok. MPB. are you running a set of stock wheels or customs? Sounds like the backspacing is fubar on the front wheels. Common when installing non stock components. The funds you probally spent could have purchased four sets of correct ford components for salvage yard. The only cure is to correct the back space on the wheels or install ford components.

Did the kit include new spindles or just hubs and caliper mount?

Garbz

 

It came with new spindles and you are right about the price. I tried the used part route first, it changed the ride and handling majorly. Could the junk yard have given me the wrong stuff? I am running aluminum wheels, so I would have to run a different offset in the front than in the back? I was hoping for one spare to fi all four corners. I had wider tires on the rear for a while and that became a pain.

Thanks, Kris

 

Sounds like the yard screwed you...The stock beams and spindles from 72 to 79 interchange with the drum type that came stock and the ride should not have changed.

It sounds like the MPB kit has a deeper spindle, there fore putting the centerline of the hub out the additional distance. You are sort of stuck at this point. The only cure is to get wheels that are back spaced to account for the additional extension. More Money. Sorry Kris bad news.

Garbz

 

Thanks Garbz, the news does not surprize me, but atleast I have broad shoulders to carry the burden. Now I know what needs to be done. Now I have a reason to give my wife why I NEED new wheels.

Kris

 

Kris, If you don't mind sharing, How much have you spent in parts for the mis matched system so far?

Man I hate it that you didn't find us here first.

John

 

Man Oh MAN ! What a sad tale [thread] this is to read through.

Kris Let me also welcome you the FTE 61-66 Forum.

Some of us here when added together have a wealth of information just not available elsewhere in the universe when it comes to these great trucks & our passions/ pastimes with them.

What's really a bummer is so many Aftermarket People who have jumped in here lately putting together so called "Kits" that don't measure up to what we had to figure out to do, using the OEM stuff, back when "Kit Makers" were telling us "Nobody wants disc brakes on an old truck, besides we make Hot Rod conversions here." yeah right, gotcha! Some of the "Kit" makers do a good job at a fair price, but seems too many do not.

Upgrade conversions we do using OEM Script parts are apparently superior to most of these aftermarket "grief makers" so many guys seem to be getting beat with lately.

To answer your question about frames, there is a world of difference between Fords' 61-64 truck frames & bodies and the frames & bodies for 65 & 66 [or virtually 65 thru' 1979]. There is some continuations & some crossover within the 4X4 models, but the 2Wd models are merely the same style of design, or similar looking, but structuraly & mechanically very different. The difference is within the installation of twin I Beam IFS System in 1965 & later Slicks.

Prior to 1965 Ford frames used 1 leaf spring in each corner of their suspension from F1s in 1948 thru' F100s of 1964. In Fact frames from 57 thru 1964 are virtually the same frame. All had 4 semi-elliptical leaf type springs and used live/ solid, straight axles. Ladder style frames of that period used a drag link + tierod steering linkage with a Strg Gear Box bolted on an outside frame rail. All Engines of those days mounted using a single front mount & double [2 sides] bellhousing rear mount set up.

There is NO ENGINE X MEMBER in pre 65, F Series, Frames AND FoMoCo had No side X Transmission mounted engines for F Series, altho some cars has been using the side X Transmission moun set up. With Fords' 1965 production run, beginning in August of 1964, ALL FoMoCo Car, Light, & Medium duty Truck engine were side and transmission mounted and have been ever since. A lot of good reasons for that change, but weight distribution & improved handling were the 2 driving forces for the change. In short, the change redistribuited the engine weight to totally inside the wheelbase, whereas prior to that all engine & transmission weight was born by the front live axle, making rear axles light & traction poor.

65 & later changed frame configuration, added an engine X member, uses a rear tranny mount, have IFS Split or twin I Beam front, coil spring suspension, have a center link steering linkage, use radius arms to locate the front wheel positions & eliminate BUMP STEER EFFECT caused by the ackerman principle when applied to single I-beam steering axles. The ackerman principle involves wheel flop, in or out, on turns, plus caster flexing or changes as axle moves up & down with front springs when a vehicle is in motion.

Again Kris, welcome to the FTE 61-66 Forum where the Knowledge is.

FBp

 

John,
The kit was very complete in that I did not have to go to the parts store for anything. It still cost me $1100 and took about 6 hrs to install in the dirt, I had no garage at the time. It looks kinda dorky but the brakes work great. If it weren't for wanting to make the old girl look good I wouldn't worry about it until it comes time to do maintenance. Lesson learned, next time ask more questions!!! Next thing, is any one good with electrical systems?
Kris

 

Kris, the only way to find out is to ask the question!! The most important thing with electrical problems, is to not leave any little detail out, when describing the symptoms.

A hearty welcome to you!!!

 

Kris,

I have the same kit on my truck and did not see a change in the track. If you are seeing a change you may have goofed in your install somewhere. Or, perhaps your truck had something modified on the front end, which changed the track, and the aftermarket wheels were masking it? I would place a call to MPB tech support. They are not bad when you can get them on the phone.

Has anybody else out there installed the MPB kit and seen a difference in the track?

Greg