I have a buddy who's been asking me how to install discs on a 54 F100. I haven't got a clue except to go look for Some later F150 or Ranger brakes. HELP!

                                                  

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

Check with ECI (Engineered Components) in Conn - they may have a kit.

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Frank:

If he still has the original front suspension, it has king pins.  I don't know of any factory putting discs on a kingpin front end.  He may be looking at a frame clip of some kind to get disc brakes.

John

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Just curious:Has anyone ever adapted a Twin I-beam from a later F series or Ranger to a 50's F-100?This would provide the disc brakes if it can be done.

 

Paul,

Boonville,MO

There are companies which make kits to mount rotors and calipers to these older trucks.  I happen to have an ECI kit installed up front which uses the 73 to 93 F100 and F150 rotors, 5 x 5 1/2 pattern, and GM calipers.  It looks like they have 4 1/2 and 4 3/4 options as well.  Mine have worked well so far.  I did not do the install nor have I yet had to service them, so I am of no help there.  I wish I could find a 5 x 5 1/2 rear setup with parts I can pick up at the local parts store - most of the kits available for this have redrilled or proprietary rotors.


Lawrenceville, GA

I know the later, two wheel drive stuff, uses the goofy swing axle arrangement. Twin I beam.  My Ranger has one of those, the discs work well, but that truck doesn't weigh much.The one thing I really dislike about it is the truck follows the channels and bumps in the road. You have to drive it ALL the time. Not a problem on the strip or on a decent 4 lane. I am pretty sure the Twin I uses a king pin setup, But i don't have any idea of it's compatibility with the earlier F series I beams. Undoubtedly they've changed all the dimensions from the Fifties. You'd think they'd be bigger and stronger on the newer, bigger and heavier with better brakes, F150's.

       Anyhow, thanks for the answers, I'll pass the information along and tell him to register on the forum, maybe we can convince him to build a Y. His last project was a supercharged (Wisconsin) garden tractor for garden tractor pulling. Prior to that he built a four engined version, with four little Honda 2 1/2 hp (ea) engines. Now that was wierd! Sure sounded neat though.  

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

Contact MPBrakes in Mooresville NC they have disc kits for Ford trucks. 1 888 249-9424 www.mpbrakes.com

55Birdman  Hickory NC

Frank Y-Guy: I just put disc on my '60 F-100 but, I wanted the 5/41/2

                   pattern. Got the kit from ABS co out,of you know where,

                   that foreign country called California, installed it in hour or

                   so, only problem they used the re-drill rotor deal so the wheels

                   didn't fit so well the first time. I was afraid of them being

                   out of round, but it rode "smooth as glass", so I'm happy

                   with it.(I did email them to tell them to use a "dummy" wheel

                    for their pattern next time!         Talk with you soon, Bill

Bill

Pelham,Al

Frank Y-Guy again:

                  On the ranger deal, I've had several and the alignment

           spec's call for zero toe, I put about a 1/16 in on mine and you

           can drive it 75 with one hand.

                   My thinking is that with a little bearing wear,ball joint wear,

           it's actually toe-ing out going down the road and causes the problem

           you're describing... Hope this helps  Bill

Bill

Pelham,Al

Bill.

      I did put a 1/16" toe in on the Ranger and it did get better, but still wanders some. I have a set of AIM 2 1/2" dropped axles on it, they weren't very accurate. We had to shim and bend to get them useable, still has too much negative caster. Had to put a shim under the springs to raise the nose to help that.

       Also Bill, your roads are a ton better than ours, we have frost and freezing issue along with the potholes. It was 38 here LAST NIGHT!!  

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart)