Notices
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Fat Fendered and Classic Ford Trucks

switching sides

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 13, 2007 | 05:20 PM
  #1  
outhouse's Avatar
outhouse
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: SAN ANTONIO,TX.
switching sides

Hello folks, Well I have collected the goodies for converting my 1953 f-250 to disc brakes. Oilyowl said he had to reposition the shocks on his truck to do this conversion. I will also if I must. However I have been thinking that if I switch the left side to the right and right side to the left the calipers will then be on the trailing edge of the rotor rather than the leading edge as per orginal. ( I must have bumped the wrong key because its slanting the letters and I don't how to fix it) I am assumeing this would solve the shock problem if this can be done. Does anyone know of any other problems that might interfear with the proper operation of braking and steering or anything. I'm takling the complete brake setup and switching sides. Front nondrive axle only.I hope I have explained myself well enough for all to understand.
 
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2007 | 06:28 PM
  #2  
rhopper's Avatar
rhopper
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 1
From: peyton, colorado
Club FTE Silver Member

Not real familiar with your caliper setup, but check the position of the bleeders. They must be at the top or you'll have difficulty bleeding the brakes.
 
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2007 | 06:47 PM
  #3  
outhouse's Avatar
outhouse
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: SAN ANTONIO,TX.
Hello rhopper, Thanks for the reply. The bleedrs will be on top. The only thing different will be the calipers on the back of rotor rather than front.
Thanks again
Paul
 
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2007 | 07:00 PM
  #4  
Kusto's Avatar
Kusto
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,527
Likes: 2
From: Grande Prairie, Alberta
Sorry bud, from the sounds of your topic, I thought we were all gonna help out with an intervention.....but it sounds like your still batting for the same team....LOL

Good luck with the break conversion.
 
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2007 | 08:12 PM
  #5  
outhouse's Avatar
outhouse
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: SAN ANTONIO,TX.
Hello Kusto, I don't understand your reply but thanks anyway.
 
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2007 | 08:58 PM
  #6  
56efffie's Avatar
56efffie
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 503
Likes: 0
From: Edgewood, NM
I believe the calipers should work fine on the trailing side. Mine are the same way. The only problem I had was that my caliper bracket interfered with the grease fitting on the inside of the spindle. What kit do you have.
 
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2007 | 09:27 PM
  #7  
ALBUQ F-1's Avatar
ALBUQ F-1
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,299
Likes: 1,059
From: NM
This came up as a question about 6 months ago. I think the problem with switching is that the steering arm can't mate up to the right hand spindle when moved to the left side. Try a search.
 
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2007 | 09:52 PM
  #8  
wmjoe1953's Avatar
wmjoe1953
Cargo Master
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,906
Likes: 82
From: Oregon
The steering arm bolts to the bosses on the spindle back, and both sides are the same (at least according to the books). As to the question about rear mounted calipers, as long as you can make everything else work, that will be fine. Almost 99% of all disc brake vehicles have rear mounted calipers. It is actually better (why I don't know exactly, but it has something to do with forward rotation) to have them on the rear.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Dec 13, 2007 | 09:56 PM
  #9  
wmjoe1953's Avatar
wmjoe1953
Cargo Master
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,906
Likes: 82
From: Oregon
I just checked the ford book to verify, and yes, the left and right spindle assemblies on the 53-56 Ford trucks are the same. If you would of gone to Ford back them and asked for a spindle, you would of ordered the same one for left or right. This is not true for the 52 and earlier, as they are indeed different. So, if you need to swap anything from left to right, you can do so with out troubles (at least according to the Ford part numbers).
 
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2007 | 10:19 PM
  #10  
outhouse's Avatar
outhouse
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: SAN ANTONIO,TX.
Hello 56efffie, No kit available for 3/4 ton and larger trucks. Disc brakes off 1975 - 79 f-250 and f-350 can be modified to work on mid fifties and other year fords. Fellow member ''oilyowl'' did this conversion on his 3/4 ton 52 but he had to reposition the shocks behind the axle. I am hoping I can do this conversion and not have to reposition my shocks. This is why I want to switch sides with the brakes. But i guess it will interfere with the steering arm.
Thanks for your reply
paul
 
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2007 | 10:49 PM
  #11  
wmjoe1953's Avatar
wmjoe1953
Cargo Master
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,906
Likes: 82
From: Oregon
You should reread my posts. The steering will be fine. Both spindles have provisions for the steering arm to be mounted. It is the large hole on the bottom of the spindle. The right side should look the same as the left side. Also, his conversion is on the 52. you '53 should have the shocks on the front of the axle, not the rear, and they shouldn't interfere with rear mounted calipers.
 
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2007 | 11:14 PM
  #12  
outhouse's Avatar
outhouse
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: SAN ANTONIO,TX.
Hold on guys, no spindles are being switched. The brake parts off a 1979 f-250 are to be mounted on a 1953 f-250. The 1979 left brake will be mounted on the right side of the 1953 f-250 and 1979 right brake on the left side of the 1953 f-250. 1979 calipers when mounted on a 1979 ride on the front of rotor. If they are swiched when mounted on 1953 f-250 the calipers will be riding on the back side of the axle or rotor.
The fact that the calipers are mounted forward when on the 1979 may be because they would interfere with steering. Thanks to all of you for your responce. Hope to hear from others about this.
 
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2007 | 11:43 PM
  #13  
56efffie's Avatar
56efffie
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 503
Likes: 0
From: Edgewood, NM
Sounds like your setup will work, Luckily you will not have the shock problem to deal with. take pics when you get them on, I would like to see how they compare to the GM units.
 
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2007 | 03:34 AM
  #14  
55 f350's Avatar
55 f350
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,776
Likes: 2
From: springfield il
interesting . i had posted a couple of times before on this subject and no one had a clue . i look forward to the pics to see if this actually works as my biggest holdup with my disc conversion on my 53 is that i cant find a "kit" that retains my stock 5 on 5 1/2 stud pattern . im gonna assume that the spindle diameter where the bearings are are the same for your swap of these onto the stock spindles and i'm hoping that it's true also for my 53 . well let us see what happens , the real p-sser is that i just scrapped an entire frame with these discs on it !!
 
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2007 | 10:48 AM
  #15  
outhouse's Avatar
outhouse
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: SAN ANTONIO,TX.
GENTLEMEN, If you will go to the ''MEMBER LIST'' click on the letter ''O'' and look for''OILYOWL'' and go to his page you will see pictures of this brake conversion. I sent him an email asking about switching sides but have not heard from him. He is probably busy with this being the holliday season. ''51DUELLER'' put me on to him. ''OILYOWL'' and I have emailed but did not talk about switching sides. My last email to him is about this.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:55 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE