Hi fellow Ford truck lovers,
This site has a very good tech article about swapping out the complete front end from a newer (73-79) truck to convert to disc brakes. There is one question that wasn't discussed and I'm hoping someone out there might know. My truck (1972) has power steering and the donor truck (1979) has manual steering. Would the manual steering linkage hook up to my power gear box? If not would the power linkage hook up to the newer disc brake set up?
The donor truck is about 30 miles away so I can't just go out and compare it to my 72 and was hoping someone out there might know.
Thanks
Disc brake conversion on my 1972
Moderator: FORDification
-
sargentrs
- 100% FORDified!
- Posts: 9866
- Joined: Fri Jun 22, 2007 9:30 am
- Location: Georgia, Jasper
Re: Disc brake conversion on my 1972
68-74 are quite similar but quite a few changes were made from '75-'79. With a '79 you really should swap swap everything from the pitman arm to the spindles. Unfortunately, I don't about the pitman arms on a '79 power steering vs a '79 manual steering. Checking parts store catalogs they do appear to be different. I would grab the pitman arm off the manual steering box and buy/salvage the correct pitman arm for a '79 with power steering to be sure. Compare the two once everything else is installed. You can return the power pitman if the manual one works.
Randy
1970 F100 Sport Custom Limited LWB, 302cid, 3 on the tree. NO A/C, NO P/S, NO P/B. Currently in 1000 pcs while rebuilding. Project thread: http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=59995 Plan: 351w, C4, LSD, pwr front disc, p/s, a/c, bucket seats, new interior and paint.
1987 F-150 XLT Lariat, 5.0/C6 auto.
1970 F100 Sport Custom Limited LWB, 302cid, 3 on the tree. NO A/C, NO P/S, NO P/B. Currently in 1000 pcs while rebuilding. Project thread: http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=59995 Plan: 351w, C4, LSD, pwr front disc, p/s, a/c, bucket seats, new interior and paint.
1987 F-150 XLT Lariat, 5.0/C6 auto.
-
Bob 2+2
- New Member
- Posts: 30
- Joined: Mon Feb 26, 2018 9:34 pm
Re: Disc brake conversion on my 1972
Thanks for the input. I just found out this morning that they already sold the spindles and calipers on the donor truck that I planned on using so I guess I'll keep looking and maybe find something else. It's not easy finding donor trucks in Northern Ohio.
-
sargentrs
- 100% FORDified!
- Posts: 9866
- Joined: Fri Jun 22, 2007 9:30 am
- Location: Georgia, Jasper
Re: Disc brake conversion on my 1972
Any of these places near you? These are within 150 miles of Cleveland. Many more further out. www.car-part.com is my favorite junk yard search engine.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Randy
1970 F100 Sport Custom Limited LWB, 302cid, 3 on the tree. NO A/C, NO P/S, NO P/B. Currently in 1000 pcs while rebuilding. Project thread: http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=59995 Plan: 351w, C4, LSD, pwr front disc, p/s, a/c, bucket seats, new interior and paint.
1987 F-150 XLT Lariat, 5.0/C6 auto.
1970 F100 Sport Custom Limited LWB, 302cid, 3 on the tree. NO A/C, NO P/S, NO P/B. Currently in 1000 pcs while rebuilding. Project thread: http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=59995 Plan: 351w, C4, LSD, pwr front disc, p/s, a/c, bucket seats, new interior and paint.
1987 F-150 XLT Lariat, 5.0/C6 auto.
-
Bob 2+2
- New Member
- Posts: 30
- Joined: Mon Feb 26, 2018 9:34 pm
Re: Disc brake conversion on my 1972
Hey, I checked out that web site and found a place about 30 miles from me that listed the I beams for a 79 F150 so I called and asked if they had the whole unit. The guy one the phone wasn't sure and didn't seem to want to out and check but said they had several older trucks and I should just come out and see if they had what I need. Gonna do that when I get time. Thanks for the tip on the web site
-
sargentrs
- 100% FORDified!
- Posts: 9866
- Joined: Fri Jun 22, 2007 9:30 am
- Location: Georgia, Jasper
Re: Disc brake conversion on my 1972
Good luck! 
Randy
1970 F100 Sport Custom Limited LWB, 302cid, 3 on the tree. NO A/C, NO P/S, NO P/B. Currently in 1000 pcs while rebuilding. Project thread: http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=59995 Plan: 351w, C4, LSD, pwr front disc, p/s, a/c, bucket seats, new interior and paint.
1987 F-150 XLT Lariat, 5.0/C6 auto.
1970 F100 Sport Custom Limited LWB, 302cid, 3 on the tree. NO A/C, NO P/S, NO P/B. Currently in 1000 pcs while rebuilding. Project thread: http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 22&t=59995 Plan: 351w, C4, LSD, pwr front disc, p/s, a/c, bucket seats, new interior and paint.
1987 F-150 XLT Lariat, 5.0/C6 auto.