Well today while fiddling with my 1963 F100 I took the front drums off and tried fitting some 66 gt350 stang rotors on it. I found that the outer inner race fit but the inner inner race didn't. Then after some more thought I took the Rotors off of a 1980's frame that we have in the yard. After some tinkering I had these fitting on my 63 F100 spindles perfectly! I used the outer bearings inner race off of my 1963 F100 and the outer races and inside inner race off of the 1980's front end. This produced a solid fit that works perfectly. Now I have to get some brackets made for caliper mounts.

Parts you will need for the conversion

80's model F150 rotors
80's F150 inner and outer, outer bearing races
80's F150 inner bearing
61-63 F100 Outer inside bearing
caliper bracket
caliper

I know some of this will be confusing so just email me for a better explanation. I'm not sure of the true terms of these pieces so I used a best description. THis is a much cheaper way of doing this and may use pieces some of you already have. Next weekend I will be trying to fit 70's model rotors on it. I also have these in our "parts collection". This would make it alot easier for some of you guys cause I know these 70's truck are plentiful. My email is MAXXEDOUTMAXX@MSN.COM

 

Not to burst your bubble but a company called ECI posted the same thing. They sell a 5 1/2 rotor conversion. The basic kit has the bearing adapters, caliper brackets, and mounting hardware for $100. They say that the 73-93 rotors fit 58-64 F-100's. They suggest the use of big car GM calipers. Look on a few pages back on here and you will see that I did a similiar thing giving basic prices for all of the components brand new.

 

Mark, I guess I'm a little slow, and don't like the idea of using gm parts on a truck of mine, but why would you need to use gm calipers on 73-93 Ford rotors.
http://www.clubfte.com/users/jowilker/USFlag.gif
John

jowilker email me
[link:www.ford-trucks.com/users/jowilker|My Club FTE Page] Member since 01 01

[link:www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker/NCFTE.html|NCFTO] North Carolina Ford Truck Owners Group

In the cool still quiet of night, you can hear chevies rusting away.

 

Yeah ECI sells that kit. We looked at it and almost bought it. The difference is I did this without a bearing conversion using OEM parts that are readily available. Bought the calipers and pads for a 1971 Caprice today for $60 with mounting bolts. So as of now I have $60 in it and only need brackets now. Brackets are going to run around $50 if we can't make a patern and make them ourselves. The frontend was givin to us if we took it off the truck so right now were in good shape. Looking at having a total of around $150 in the complete front disc brakes with Braided hoses. The ECI was alittle more then that. Not bashing it just stating I found a way to do it cheaper.

 

John the reason for GM calipers is the mounting type. Ford trucks use a mounting bracket thats part of the spindle. GM bolt on to a bracket with threaded holes. Much simpler way of doing it.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 10-Apr-02 AT 01:50 PM (EST)]Thanks for defending me TMAXX I suppose you are right as far as the parts available aspect. I think I am going to try the brake swap once I get all of the parts you mentioned. If you would, can you post the fab specs for the caliper brackets. They would be helpful in machining/milling the brackets. Thanks.

 

TMAXXjj,
OK, you got me to break out my bearing catalog w/specs to figure out what you were talking about. After comparing the bearing sets for 57-64 vs. 73-96 I think I follow you. You use the complete 57-64 bearing set (#2) for the outer wheel bearing set, and the complete 73-96 bearing set (#13) for the inner bearing set. Use the 57-64 grease seal. Is this correct? Does this ECI kit really need an inner bearing adapter? What for? Has anybody actually installed this kit?
Heres a picture from ECI's web site that looks like it includes adapters.
[http://ecihotrodbrakes.com/images/ec-730ck.jpg]
Thanks for any info in advance.
Adios,
Brett

 

Almost forgot. If you don't need the bearing adapters I think I'll make my own caliper bracket. Use cardboard for the initial pattern. Prototype it out of plywood. Once it's right then cut it of steel plate. All I've got is a torch, grinder, and drill but I've made more complex adapters using the same stone-age tools.
Adios,
Brett

 

I can't say for sure on the outer race. We Had a 80's model frame sitting in the yard and left the complete inboard bearing setup in it. We took the outboard bearing (roller part) and replaced it with the one from my 1963 F100. Again I can't say for sure if the race from the 63 will fit in the 80's rotor.

My plans for the brackets are simialer. I plan on starting with cardboard and then going to 1/4 plywood. Plans are to have a machine shop make the brackets simply because we don't have anything to cut 1/4 or 3/8 steel out with. I now have calipers in hand and will be working this weekend on proto's. My favorite part of this stuff is making stuff so I should have lots of fun.

 

TMAXXjj,
Did the grease seal line up properly? After thinking this over, maybe the ECI's inner bearing adapter is some sort of a spacer. Does the rotor line up properly on the spindle (not too deep)? I also noticed that the newer inner bearing has much larger inside radius. Maybe the adapter is to give more area for the bearing to ride against.
Well, let us know what you find.
Thanks,
Brett