[updated:LAST EDITED ON 28-Aug-02 AT 10:18 PM (EST)]I'd like to make my '59 F100 a little safer & more reliable for daily driving, and want to upgrade the brakes, charging system, & wipers.

1) Anyone got tips on changing the single-reservoir brake master cylinder to a dual unit? Will a later model Ford unit bolt in with a minimum of hassle?

2) Is there an easy way to install a modern internal-regulator alternator in place of the generator? It's a 223 inline 6.

3) I've heard that '57 Chevy electric wiper motors are a bolt-in swap. Can anyone confirm this?

Any thoughts or ideas on these topics is much appreciated.

Thanks!

- VJ

 

Brakes: I've heard that there's a Mustang cylinder from around 1970 that will work.

Alternator: I made a bracket and mounted a Ford 60 amp alternator I scrounged from an abandoned car, then built a solid-state regulator inside the old regulator case. I posted a link somewhere in another thread on this board to a diagram that shows how to wire a Ford regulator on a Falcon.

The easiest thing would be to use a GM 1-wire alternator.

 

Thanks for the tip on the Mustang master cylinder, I'll look into that.

For the alternator conversion, I agree that the GM alt. is the way to go. I dug around and found this webpage which describes how to do it on a '56 Ranch Wagon, should be pretty much the same for my truck:

http://www.ranchwagon.com/tech/alt/alt.htm

 

Bingo! Found a page that describes exactly what I need for the brake upgrade, I'm sure lots of you will find this useful:

http://www.octm.com/dane/index29.htm

 

That's a great page! He's right about replacing the steel brake lines: I've had them spring a leak on the 1960 Merc (and even on an 83 van).

 

 

I don't know about the Chevy wipers but electric wipers were an option on your truck. Conversion kits are available from many vendors for around $150. We recently went from vacuum to electric on a 60.

Bob

 

1967 F-100 Dual mastercylinder should be a bolt on. It cost 25.00 at the local parts store 10years ago for a new unit , no core.