Disc Brakes, need lots of help

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Dec 21, 2003 | 07:07 AM

ap52fordf1

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Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 23

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From: Rosenberg, Texas

Disc Brakes, need lots of help

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

Posted earlier ion the week about getting a 79 che** truck for donor parts.

Since then I have pulled out the brake system (Booster/MC, Pedal Assembly, and front calipers & rotors). My question is can I use the rotors and calipers?

If I can what do I need to adapt them to my 52 f1 (stock axle)?

If I can't use them without buying a complete kit (bearings, rotors, cailpers and brackets) can I buy them separately to save some money and what type of Rotors (Mopar, GM, Ford) and Cailpers (Mopar, GM, Ford) will be best to purchase.

Like I said I would really like to buy everything separately instead of a kit.

Thanks for everyones help.

AP

Dec 21, 2003 | 08:42 AM

darkman

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Joined: Sep 1999

Posts: 1,022

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From: Pensacola Florida

I sorry that I can not be of much help and most people here are probably of the same opinion. For the most part we have little knowledge about grafting *#2//* GM parts to our beloved Fords. We kinda view C*@^y parts as diseased and try very hard to keep them off of our trucks. To find out if they will fit you need to start with a dimensional bearing list and compare the Ford and the other things dimensions. If you can get the rotor to fit the spindle you will have to fabricate a caliper bracket. After checking for interference you pretty much have it whupped.

MY advice - sell the parts for as much as you can and buy the Ford Parts that we know works.

PS This will also cure you from the "I'm being treated like a Leper" syndrome to.

Dec 21, 2003 | 05:29 PM

adilts2002

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Joined: Nov 2003

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to find out if they fit you cuod through them in the scrp bin and leave them rust as you look around somewhere else. i know the hole front spindles etc down to the stearing box will interchange with any ford van up to 93. the kigpins are about the same just have to get 1/2 inch spacer for inbetween ur sinle and ur axel but they will work. have power steering and disc brakes.

Dec 21, 2003 | 06:08 PM

ferguson777

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Joined: Apr 2002

Posts: 2,244

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Why not simply contact the various outfits that make the disc brake kits and ask them for the suitable donor vehicle list that details what works?

They all sell the kits either complete with new rotors, calipers, etc or as "economy kits" where you use their caliper mounting bracket and get your own rotors, calipers, etc.

To my knowledge there are at least 2, if not more outfits offering these kits. Contact them all in case their suitable donors differ.

Dec 22, 2003 | 01:00 PM

GreatNorthWoods

Lead Driver

Joined: Apr 2002

Posts: 8,813

Likes: 13

From: Littleton, New Hampshire

AP,

I don't think the Chevy brakes are going to work unless you take the all the stuff to a machine shop and have it done. I've also never seen a kit where Chevy truck brakes were used on a Ford straight axle. I have to go along with Darkman's suggestion to sell the Chevy stuff for whatever you can get for it and then find out what Ford or other brakes can be easily adapted to your axle and go from there...

Dec 22, 2003 | 01:51 PM

Jag Red 54

Logistics Pro

Joined: Oct 2002

Posts: 4,489

Likes: 5

From: Valley Center, CA

If you are feeling frustrated by the lack of positive input you're receiving, just think how bad you will feel after you embark on this trip trough unexplored territory and the end result does not work. Sometimes it's better to just buy the right stuff in the first place and rest assured that the end product will perform safely and give you long service life. I call this the "cry once method." You cry only once when you let go of the money to buy the quality part. Then you laugh every day thinking about how happy you are with the results. The cheaper methods usually are not so rosey. You laugh only once on the day you save the money, but you cry every time the cheaper/shortcut fails or needs more tweeking. Then finally you get discusted and revert back to the "cry once" system.

Just a word to the wise. Good luck, John

Dec 22, 2003 | 06:52 PM

ap52fordf1

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 23

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From: Rosenberg, Texas

Well, there's alot of information. And it's all good. I appreciate everyone's input. I will be getting the brake kit for my 52 that has the brackets, rotors and calipers. I also wrote to several brake companies to see if there is anyway I could use the power booster and mc though.

Thanks again. If you think of any other ideas or have other suggestions send them this way.

Happy Holidays