Anyone used Blackbird Conversion kits?
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,261
Likes: 15
From: Big Sky Country
It would be a lot cheaper to get a 76-79 axle that already has disc brakes or better yet a 78-79 that's also a high pinion axle, if i'm thinking of the same kit you are it's $535 not to mention the fab work to your axle i.e. turning your hubs down and relocating the shock mounts.
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 432
Likes: 0
From: Lexington
I looked into this & getting new calipers/rotors offsets the cost factor & turning down the hubs would be a simple, quick operation @ any machine shop or home (lucky!!) fab shop.
The HP axles are great, but most would still need the brakes re-done to road worthy status.
IMHO.
Thanks!
D
The HP axles are great, but most would still need the brakes re-done to road worthy status.
IMHO.
Thanks!
D
Senior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: Gatlinburg
Would like to do a rear disc brake conversion on my highboy some day. Blackbirds stuff I'm sure is good but also pricey.
If I remember right, there use to be a lot of disc conversion kits on Ebay for less. Would be worth a look.
If I remember right, there use to be a lot of disc conversion kits on Ebay for less. Would be worth a look.
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Cargo Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 12
From: NW Indiana
This is what I've got. 73 Camper Special(40,000 miles) 2wd that I'm converting to 4wd.
Found 75 Highboy great driveline,marginal frame and did not know about drums in front. ($500)probably paid too much but my learning curve is usually expensive.
Found 78 ext cab($300.00) that had extra 460 with trans and 205. Has 44 in front but no axles or carrier. Hence the disc conversion idea.
So Ive put together all the right parts and am pretty confident now about making the conversion and I've got a bunch of options and just want some advise to head down the right path.
Trying to decide which stuff to use is a pain. I'm thinking about grinding off the inner bracing off the front of the 78 and welding it to the 2wd frame which is rock solid. I could then use the 78 axle with discs along with steering box. Then lessening the depth of the crossmber or cutting one out of the other frames and bring it over to the 2wd frame. I'm pretty sure how to make the axle get in there but might have to do a test run on locating the motor mounts.
I've got real good at tearing apart some ford trucks though.
Anyone got ideas I would really appreciate them.
Found 75 Highboy great driveline,marginal frame and did not know about drums in front. ($500)probably paid too much but my learning curve is usually expensive.
Found 78 ext cab($300.00) that had extra 460 with trans and 205. Has 44 in front but no axles or carrier. Hence the disc conversion idea.
So Ive put together all the right parts and am pretty confident now about making the conversion and I've got a bunch of options and just want some advise to head down the right path.
Trying to decide which stuff to use is a pain. I'm thinking about grinding off the inner bracing off the front of the 78 and welding it to the 2wd frame which is rock solid. I could then use the 78 axle with discs along with steering box. Then lessening the depth of the crossmber or cutting one out of the other frames and bring it over to the 2wd frame. I'm pretty sure how to make the axle get in there but might have to do a test run on locating the motor mounts.
I've got real good at tearing apart some ford trucks though.
Anyone got ideas I would really appreciate them.
Senior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: Gatlinburg
Sounds like some good finds. You might want to try to get them both. It would be good to have the ext. cab to get the 460 stuff.
It's nice to have a couple to rob the best pickens off of, then get rid of some of it when your through.
It's nice to have a couple to rob the best pickens off of, then get rid of some of it when your through.
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Cargo Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 12
From: NW Indiana
Heck,I got truck parts all over the yard now.
Does anyone have pics or description of their mods to the crossmember?
Does anyone have pics or description of their mods to the crossmember?
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Senior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: Gatlinburg
I know the feeling. I've still got a 77 Highboy in my lower yard that I have robbed some stuff off of. I need to sell it but the bed and campertop is being used for storage.
You know, real important stuff.
You know, real important stuff.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,052
Likes: 2
From: Alvarado, TX
It would be a lot cheaper to get a 76-79 axle that already has disc brakes or better yet a 78-79 that's also a high pinion axle, if i'm thinking of the same kit you are it's $535 not to mention the fab work to your axle i.e. turning your hubs down and relocating the shock mounts.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,052
Likes: 2
From: Alvarado, TX
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1975, 1997, 4wd, anbody, bird, black, blackbird, blackbirds, closed, conversion, coversion, crossmember, disc, f350, ford, kit, knuckle, rear, relocation
