1972 f100 disc brakes?

[Cary72]

I read on here that disc brakes stated in 1973 on f100's. That being said I have a 1970 long bed and a 1972 short need both have power disc brakes. Is this not factory doing?

[ultraranger]

Optional factory front disc brakes were installed on '68-'72 F250s and F350s but, factory front discs were not available for Bumpside F100s. Power brakes was optional for all.

Beginning in 1973, all F100 through F350 2WD trucks came standard with manual front disc brakes. The 4WD trucks didn't get front discs until 1976. Power brakes was optional on all '73-'79 F100s and was standard on '75-'79 F150s.

'73-'79 F100 or '75-'79 F150 disc brake front suspensions will directly swap over onto '67-'72 Ford F100s. If you wanted to run the factory optional '75-'79 F100-F350 2WD front swaybar, you would need the front suspension from a '75-'79 F100/F150. The radius arms on those models have the notches in the forward ends of the radius arms to accept the locating pins for the swaybar endlink brackets.

'73 radius arms are cast steel and configured just like the Bumpside radius arms --no provision for the swaybar endlink bracket locating pins. '74 went to a stamped steel radius arm. While these radius arms have the material sticking out at the forward ends of the arms, there's no notches in them for the endlink pin to engage into --although, '74 radius arms can be notched for the bracket pins. '75-'79 radius arms are factory notched whether the truck has a factory front swaybar on it or not.

If you're getting the disc brake parts/suspension from a Dentside donor truck, you'll need them along with the brake valve from the donor as well as the brake hardline-to-caliper hose brakets off the frame, if you're installing discs on a '70 or earlier Bumpside. '71/'72 will have the correct brake line brackets already in place.

[67shorty]

Do you have a picture of the radius arm with the index notch, I have a set of the djm drop beams that I m going to install and I think the arms were on wrong way, not sure...

[ultraranger]

Do you have a picture of the radius arm with the index notch, I have a set of the djm drop beams that I m going to install and I think the arms were on wrong way, not sure...

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1452 ... st16608725

[67shorty]

Thanks, so much misinformation out there ...

[ultraranger]

On the '75-'79 radius arms, the notch on the right side radius arm will be at the lower end. On the left side arm, the notch will be at the upper end.

[BrockGrimes]

https://www.ford-trucks.com/articles/fr ... rd-trucks/