Anyone done a 66 F250 8 lug disc brake conversion?

Sarg · Post by **Sarg** » January 9, 2011, 11:45 am

I was just kind of browsing through and it seems like it should be possible using oem replacement parts from a 1973-1979 F250. I seem lots of brake conversion pages but they are all primarily dealing with F100 and 5 lug stuff. I was just curious to see if someone had done it with an 8 lug and what all was necessary.

rwhistles · Post by **rwhistles** » January 9, 2011, 1:04 pm

Bill W did a jam up job on his f250 check it out. He will probably send you a set of patterns if needed

http://fordtruk.com/forums/viewtopic.ph ... light=lugs

Sarg · Post by **Sarg** » January 9, 2011, 2:45 pm

Yup we actually discussed it and he feels the same brackets would not work on my application

But I am hoping most of the rest of it will still apply.

Hawkrod · Post by **Hawkrod** » January 9, 2011, 3:02 pm

The 66 F250 is an easy disc brake swap if it came with the 12 X 2.5 front brakes (most I have worked on did have them). If you have the 12 X 2.5 brakes, all you have to do is get a set of F250 front discs from a 68-72 and they will bolt right on to your spindles. You do not have to even mess with front end alignment. On the F250 the disc brakes used the same spindle as drum brakes and it all bolts right on including the caliper and bracket. No need to reinvent the wheel, just swap brakes. Because an F250 has bolt on brakes, converting to discs is a pretty quick project. Hawkrod

19slick66 · Post by **19slick66** » January 9, 2011, 5:27 pm

I hope I didn't buy a trailer full nonusable parts, But I acqired the whole front end , ( guy torched the frame in half near the cab) of a 1973 f250. So I have everything. I guess thats the best way to grab it. I'm hoping I can just take the '73 twin I-beams and spindles and swap mine. If not???
Any body done it this way. I probably am not going to do it until much warmer weather. But I'll try to do a write up, if it works.

Sarg · Post by **Sarg** » January 9, 2011, 6:04 pm

Cool Hawkrod, thanks for the tip! So I guess just some brackets and everything else should be pretty easy to find from the local parts store.

Sarg · Post by **Sarg** » January 9, 2011, 7:35 pm

Looks like A1 cardone may even make the caliper brackets for the 1970 F250 calipers!

Unibodyguy1 · Post by **Unibodyguy1** » January 10, 2011, 12:51 am

I saw this post and was wondering about the wheels, I suppose you also have to have the newer wheels for the righ backspacing??

Michael

STOFFER · Post by **STOFFER** » January 10, 2011, 2:39 am

rwhistles wrote:Bill W did a jam up job on his f250 check it out. He will probably send you a set of patterns if needed

http://fordtruk.com/forums/viewtopic.ph ... light=lugs

thank you

STOFFER · Post by **STOFFER** » January 10, 2011, 2:41 am

Hawkrod wrote:The 66 F250 is an easy disc brake swap if it came with the 12 X 2.5 front brakes (most I have worked on did have them). If you have the 12 X 2.5 brakes, all you have to do is get a set of F250 front discs from a 68-72 and they will bolt right on to your spindles. You do not have to even mess with front end alignment. On the F250 the disc brakes used the same spindle as drum brakes and it all bolts right on including the caliper and bracket. No need to reinvent the wheel, just swap brakes. Because an F250 has bolt on brakes, converting to discs is a pretty quick project. Hawkrod

thank you very very much for the info

Daplumma · Post by **Daplumma** » January 10, 2011, 7:18 am

I did a swap on my 65 250.Used a 1976 (Ithink) donor.Swapped the I beams because of the kingpin sizes were different.Replaced all the bushings and tie rods and got it aligned.No problems.
Joe

Sarg · Post by **Sarg** » January 10, 2011, 9:54 am

Unibodyguy1 wrote:I saw this post and was wondering about the wheels, I suppose you also have to have the newer wheels for the righ backspacing??

Michael

You know I am not sure. I have read where people have used older wheels, provided that they were at least 16" wheels. I mean if you think about the massive drum that it is replacing it should not be a serious issue.

Blackwaterforge · Post by **Blackwaterforge** » January 12, 2011, 1:07 pm

Here are pictures of my truck with complete front end from 73 F-250.
Second picture is original front end with drums.
Last picture is truck as daily driver.
Hope this helps.
Use master cylinder from donor truck.

BigMike · Post by **BigMike** » January 12, 2011, 2:37 pm

When Jonas did the conversion on mine (he is the PO), he used the stock I-Beams and just used the spindles from a '71. He said he had to change the king pin bushings as well to a new size.

Sarg · Post by **Sarg** » January 12, 2011, 2:44 pm

Thanks for the pictures. I was actually thinking about the red and black color scheme for my truck, but opposite of yours. Black on the top and red on the bottom. The only thing I think I might need are the caliper brackets. I found some made by a1 cardone, but I am not certain if they are the correct brackets. I will most likely try them and see. Worst case, they don't fit and I have to make some.

Blackwaterforge · Post by **Blackwaterforge** » January 13, 2011, 10:17 am

The kingpins on my truck were 7/8.
The king pins on the 73 were 1 1/16.

Hawkrod · Post by **Hawkrod** » January 13, 2011, 4:02 pm

Blackwaterforge wrote:The kingpins on my truck were 7/8.
The king pins on the 73 were 1 1/16.

F250's can have either size kingpin. It depends on the GVWR of tha truck. Regular F250's have the small kingpin and heavy duty ones have the big ones. Also note that most 73-79 larger applications like Super and Crew cabs will have the bigger kingpin automatically even if they have a low GVWR. Hawkrod

Sarg · Post by **Sarg** » January 13, 2011, 5:14 pm

I don't suppose anyone has a line on some 68-72 F250 caliper brackets? I just would hate to order the a1cardone ones and then have them be the wrong ones.

Hawkrod · Post by **Hawkrod** » January 13, 2011, 7:12 pm

Before you order parts, make sure you have the right brakes. A 66 can have two different types. The 12 X 2.5 are teh right spindles for conversion and fortunately they are the more common ones in my experience. I think the other brakes are 12 1/4 X 2 or something like that. Hawkrod

Sarg · Post by **Sarg** » January 13, 2011, 9:31 pm

That the dimensions of the drum? Or the spindle?