1957 Ford Vanette help needed - Disc Brakes
 

Hi,

I have searched and searched and can't find the info I need. I need a mentor for my oddball truck.

I bought a 1957 Ford Vanette step van. It has 8X6.5" drum hubs. I would like to keep the front axle but go to disc brakes. I am guessing it (P35) is a 1 ton?

What are my disc brake options? Any?

Is it possible to change the pattern to sonething else? 5X5" etc?

Thanks in advance for any help!

http://i421.photobucket.com/albums/p...g?t=1341850945

T
http://i421.photobucket.com/albums/p...g?t=1341795847

This is a P Series Parcel Delivery, specifically a P350 since it has 8 lug wheels on a 6.50" bolt circle. P's commonly referred to as "bread trucks" because so many bakeries used them.

Were sold several ways: To RV dealers as a rolling chassis, mounted Class A Motor Home bodies.

To aftermarket body makers as a rolling chassis with front end sheet metal, dash, sliding doors, one seat (passenger seat optional). Nothing was behind the front seat except bare frame rails.

There are no aftermarket parts available. Most of the parts are obsolete, was cancelled after 1977, replaced by the E350 "Cut-Away" or E350 rolling chassis.

8 lug, 6.50" bolt circle: 1955/97 F250, 1967/97 F350 / 1969/74 E300 / 1975/2012 E250/350.

8 lug 6.50" bolt circle: 1968/72 F250 2WD's were available with optional dual piston caliper disc brakes, which became standard equipment in 1973.

I have done a few different old straight axle conversions just using what I could find and a little ingenuity. Find a rotor from some tuck of similar size and do some measuring on the distance between the inner and outer bearing.. Most bearing places can come up bearings if given the inner and outer dimensions. Even better if your drum separates from the hub, then you may find a rotor to fit your existing hub. Once you have rotors, choose a suitable caliper and build the brackets.
this isn't the best picture but It's one of my "conversions". Axle was Econoline, rotors from a Ford Aerostar, homemade brackets and Chevy metric rotors. I could have used Crown Vic rotors but couldn't fit the 14 inch wheels I wanted to run. You get the idea.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...d/frame002.jpg

I would check with these guys: Engineered Components, Inc. - Your One Stop Brake Shop!

Thanks guys. I will keep you posted of my progress. Tom

Need frame VIN location for p-350 chassis
 

Hello! I am trying to find the frame stamp vin on a '55 p-350 chassis. I believe I may have located it on the passenger top frame rail behind front shock mount. I would love confirmation of location, or an alternate if anyone has removed the body from their p350 chassis. I ordered some restor-a-gel and will report on how it works. I just want to make sure im working in the right place...
Thanks in Advance

Edited FN necro threads get me every time.

It would be better to start your own thread than tagging on to a thread that is 5 years old.

Good looking unit either way.