Let's start with thanks.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Clinton, Ms
Let's start with thanks.
I want to start by thanking those few who answer the questions of so many, me being one of the many. I know you do it because you love Fords. I just was able to buy back a truck that is very near and dear to me, a 1965 F100. My grandfather ordered and bought it new in 1965, kept it for a while, sold it to my greatgrandfather who kept it for 10 years, sold it back to my grandfather who sold it to my dad who then kept it for about another 30 years till he got a wild hair and sold it in April 2008 to my great dismay. Well I tracked it down and after much negotiation and even more money, I bought it back and am tickled pink. So now to my question. For you Ford gurus, what will be the easiest way to add front disk brakes to this old girl. The drums work fine if you aren't stopping on a dime and provided you have enough muscle in your leg. I'm a blank slate so anything you can say would be appreciated.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 998
Likes: 2
From: Benton, AR
Welcome. Let me give you a tour. At the top of the topic page on the right side is a search feature. A little window will pop up and you type in whatever topic you are looking for. Some trial and error will take place but you will find a lot of stuff has been asked 100 times or so. At the very top of the page is an article section. This is very handy at times depending on the subject. That is where I copied the following link from. Should give you a very detailed way to upgrade your brakes.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...rd_Trucks.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/article/...rd_Trucks.html
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Clinton, Ms
Hello, thanks for the info. I see you are from Mountain Home. I love the town. My parents are trying to sell their home to move there. I'll check out the link and do some trial and error work I'm sure, but that's half the fun. Have a good day.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas
That is a great story! I really admire that you never gave up on her. Seems most people would shrug their shoulders and say "oh well". But some of us do get attatched. I have a 56 Big Window that has been in our family as long as I can remember, no way could I imagine parting with. Anyway, glad you got her home again. The Disc brake thing will make a huge difference, as well as power steering.
Al
Al
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Clinton, Ms
Thanks Al for the support and the words of wisdom. I'm also glad I found this great forum. I can see I'll be spending many hours on it. I hate to change the truck form "original" but I think the enjoyability of the power steering and disc brakes will make up for it. Look forward to talking to you again.
Jeff
Jeff
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 998
Likes: 2
From: Benton, AR
Its pretty here, but I don't really fish much. I moved to this fishing capital of the world a year ago. If I was going to stay long I'd buy a boat. I'll probably be moving within the year. This place has inflated housing prices due to all the northerners that come down to retire. 30+ banks in a town less than 15,000 tells you something about how much money is here. Tell your parents to bring lots of cash and they will fit right in. I'm ready to go somewhere with straight roads that have speed limits higher than 55, lol.
I enjoyed your story also. I tracked down the first truck I bought as a kid and worked on it. Then I found one in better shape and sold her off again, lol.
I enjoyed your story also. I tracked down the first truck I bought as a kid and worked on it. Then I found one in better shape and sold her off again, lol.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 930
Likes: 0
From: East Helena MT
Purchase yourself any 1973 through mid 79 F-100/150 Ford 2 wheel drive truck for cheap. Take all the brake components you need and any other parts you might want to upgrade while you are there and then sell off the rest of your parts truck and get a lot if not all your money back.
If you get your parts from a local salvage yard, you will end up forgetting things or will not know what all to get and have to make several trips to get all the parts. Plus you will spend the same amount of money on just the brake parts as you would if you purchased the donor parts truck.
I completed the swap last fall and it is one of the best up-grades you will complete on your old truck, and the donor truck is the way to go.
Jeff
If you get your parts from a local salvage yard, you will end up forgetting things or will not know what all to get and have to make several trips to get all the parts. Plus you will spend the same amount of money on just the brake parts as you would if you purchased the donor parts truck.
I completed the swap last fall and it is one of the best up-grades you will complete on your old truck, and the donor truck is the way to go.
Jeff
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 0
From: East Flat Rock NC
Older the better
Welcome to ( FTE ) !
Very COOL story about your truck, have Fun! Drive !
Wally Womack
Welcome to ( FTE ) !
Very COOL story about your truck, have Fun! Drive !
Wally Womack
Last edited by Pro-Street/StateTK; Apr 30, 2009 at 01:21 AM. Reason: watching my Ps and Qs
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Dittos on what Jeff said. If your truck has a 352 in it you will be limited to 73-76, 76 was the last year the FE was installed. Find a donor that has the drive train that you want your truck to end up with, FE/3spd, FE/C6 auto, FE 4spd, etc. That way you can prep a lot of parts before you start the swap install.
There is heavy lifting with the swap, so I recommend power steering and disc brakes at the same time. The steering column will swap to match the power gear. You can have a engine to rebuild while driving the truck, same with the tranny.
Other that looking through spoke or slotted wheels and seeing them, it's hard to tell the discs have been swapped in. Same with the PS, you have to raise the hood to see it.
John
There is heavy lifting with the swap, so I recommend power steering and disc brakes at the same time. The steering column will swap to match the power gear. You can have a engine to rebuild while driving the truck, same with the tranny.
Other that looking through spoke or slotted wheels and seeing them, it's hard to tell the discs have been swapped in. Same with the PS, you have to raise the hood to see it.
John
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
lWelcome.
Listen to bigblockford_390 and buy a donor. I did and it was the best move for the project to-date. Basically got my disc, PS, and a host of parts for free. Took all the stuff I needed, sold off the body and interior, traded some remaining parts for 1965-66 parts and I'm still left with a 302, 9", and a transmission from the donor for some future project.
Listen to bigblockford_390 and buy a donor. I did and it was the best move for the project to-date. Basically got my disc, PS, and a host of parts for free. Took all the stuff I needed, sold off the body and interior, traded some remaining parts for 1965-66 parts and I'm still left with a 302, 9", and a transmission from the donor for some future project.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Clinton, Ms
Hey guys, thanks so much for the words of encouragement and all the great advice. I will do just as you have said and start my search for the right donor truck. I know I'm going to just hate having to purchase another old truck.LOL.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 998
Likes: 2
From: Benton, AR
You may be tempted, but don't do a body swap. Things begin to snowball and it turns into a full on frame off restoration with thousands invested, lol. I'll be updating my thread today and you can see exactly what I mean.
later
later