I have read that I can use the spindles from a '73 truck to add disc brakes to my '69, but does this mean that I can purchase dropped I-beams from belltech and combine them with the '73 spindles to add discs and lower the front suspension at the same time? Any info on how to lower the truck would be helpful (I really would hate to have to cut the frame and weld in a new clip.

 

Yes BUT, If you haven't read the tech article on disc brake conversion, read it. The brop beams will be about the only thing you won't need from the later model truck. You wil need everything from the brake booster to the calipers including the discs. Anyway read the tech article it will help a bunch.

Scotty

 

Scotty

sounds like you've done the disc swap....

I've read that article.....Have you noticed that you lose a little over 1/2" of wheel base when you use your original Ibeams. I was just wondering why not use the later model Ibeams off the doner truck, are they alot wider ....

Also, why not use the king pins for the doner spindles....I know they are a little longer but the part of the spindle that the king pin contacts is also longer in the disc spindles...

just wondering is all as I'm doing this swap now....

thanks

 

First off thanks for the assumtion that I have done the disc swap. I how ever haven't, but I apperently at least sound like I know what I am talking about. I think it has been recommended that if you can get the I-beams from the later version then you should use them. I have not delt personally with this. I have however done a ton of research, as I will some day do the swap.

I was refering to the fact if you are going to use lowering beams then you should get the beams from the 73-79 model truck and then use the parts from the 73-79 model as well. If you are just going to swap straight over then get all off of the donor truck(73-79) that the yard will allow you to. Even if you were going to yse the drop beams then it may be worth the extra $$$, depending on how much $$$ more they want, to get the I beams along with everything else.

Hope this helps clear a few things up.

Scotty

 

emmm...well I wish I could talk to the guy who wrote that article, because he says to use your original Ibeams and to use the kingpins for those Ibeams instead of going with the later model stuff to match the spindles...

oh well

 

I don't know much about the lowering but I used the Ibeams off of the 78. Everything seemed to go togather OK. The brake hoses don't seam quite correct I think that in 79 the steel lines probably extended closer to the wheel. How I did it seems fine though. My new problem is the PS Gear that I swapped is taller. I figure I will just shorten the column. A little cut here a little weld there.

 

I used the I-beams, Radius-rods, steering linkage, springs, front brake lines, proportioning valve, and the brakeline mounts, rotors, calipers, master-cyl...etc from a '77 F-100 for my '67 F-100. Basically the whole front end was cut out of a good donor at the Junkyard with a torch and dissasembled at my house cleaned rebuilt and swaped into my truck.

It would have been really easy for me to swap in dropped beams while I had everything out if I wanted to. Shouldn't be a big dela unless you live in the city or something, I have 2-acres to spread junk out on, even have some complete parts vehicles for my other projects tucked out back.

 

I am in the process of the conversion as well. It seams to be going fairly smooth with only a few small kinks. I used the DJM Suspension lowering kit and highly recommend it. It came with everything needed to complete the swap with exception to the spindles and brakes. The one major kink encountered was the tie rod end shafts. The shafts on my truck were a 5/8" whereas the mounting holes on the spindles and the supplied aftermarket extenders for the lowering kit were 9/16". DJM made a custom set of extenders and now everything fits perfectly.

 

i have a 1971 f100 swb i installed the dream beam kit for the front and the 4" shackle and hanger kit for the back with new shocks all around ,i like the results,i got pictures in photo bucket but i dont know how to down load can someone help me

 

I used the complete AIM kit to lower mine and I like the results as well. You guys can see some pics of mine in a thread called AIM/DJM lowering thread. One word of caution, if you are gonna order a kit and you currently have drum brakes, you might should think ahead and order the kit for disc brakes if you are gonna do the disc brake swap because there is a difference in the kits.

 

hey guys i just got a 1969 f250 2wd camper special i want the best of both worlds for it . I want to lower it but also be able to load it if i need to. Will bagging it do this for me? i never lowered a truck only lifted so new to this side of things.