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1966 4WD Front Disc Conversion

Posted: August 11, 2013, 8:42 pm
by Hillbilly66
SO, I've conversed with a couple members here on what it will take to convert my 66 to disc fronts. Now, I am told that I have the original open knuckle dana axle in the front. Over the last two days, I rebuilt the rear differential, while also replacing bearings, seals, gaskets, and brakes. (It actually had new brakes on it, but the rear end fluid had leaked out on to them, and had saturated the shoes pretty well.) Anyway, after much hassle, and back and forth running to the local parts store, I discovered that I did not have the factory rear, as it is from a 69+. So, with that being said, where di I even start on front end conversion. I can find a ton of information on 2WD swaps, but not so much on the 4WD swap. I have a friend with a 78 Bronco, if anything on that would be of value to me. That's my only lead so far. I would appreciate any help or insight that anyone might have for me. I'm kind of lost as to where I can even begin.

Re: 1966 4WD Front Disc Conversion

Posted: August 11, 2013, 9:32 pm
by qwertyd10n
Hi there,

My name is Dion and I've got a '66 F100 4x4 as well. I'm planning to do a disc conversion on my truck with the Dana 44 out of a '79 Bronco that I picked up a year or so back. I've already used the steering sector out of a '79 Bronco to do add power steering to my truck... I could give you more info on how that works if you like.

I'll see if I can dig up the links to the information I've sourced for the front end swap...

Cheers,
Dion

Re: 1966 4WD Front Disc Conversion

Posted: August 11, 2013, 10:08 pm
by Hillbilly66
Dion, I'd love to see that info. I already have power steering in my truck, but am really wanting to go to disc brakes before I get the truck legal to drive.

Re: 1966 4WD Front Disc Conversion

Posted: August 12, 2013, 8:21 am
by qwertyd10n
Check out the second last comment in this thread - it has some good insight: http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/96406 ... -swap.html

Re: 1966 4WD Front Disc Conversion

Posted: August 12, 2013, 9:32 am
by Hillbilly66
Thanks. More than anything, I am worried about width. I wonder if the 79 Dana 44 is the same width as my current setup....

I may be in a real pickle considering I have a 4 inch lift on my truck. May change what he's saying about the radius arms.

Why can't it just be easy to the point where they say XX year - YY year fits! LOL.....nothing is ever that simple. :burp:

Re: 1966 4WD Front Disc Conversion

Posted: August 14, 2013, 8:38 am
by Hillbilly66
No one else has any info on this?

Re: 1966 4WD Front Disc Conversion

Posted: August 14, 2013, 3:03 pm
by Paul Merrell
My truck is leaf springs on the front axle . Did you check with Jeff's bronco graveyard ? They sometimes run specials .

Re: 1966 4WD Front Disc Conversion

Posted: August 14, 2013, 3:17 pm
by Hillbilly66
Paul Merrell wrote:My truck is leaf springs on the front axle . Did you check with Jeff's bronco graveyard ? They sometimes run specials .
Oh, mine is coils. I did check, but I don't know any information about what crosses over to different years and what doesn't. I've been reading up as much as possible, but there's a lot of confusing info out there for sure. I'm not even sure I have the stock setup up front.

I'm a mess. lol

Re: 1966 4WD Front Disc Conversion

Posted: August 14, 2013, 3:36 pm
by Paul Merrell
Your truck looks stock . 66 Was the first year that the cab and bed matched and it was F100 . Did you check the vin on the passenger frame rail . Your truck could have a checkered past like mine.

Re: 1966 4WD Front Disc Conversion

Posted: August 14, 2013, 3:57 pm
by Hillbilly66
Paul Merrell wrote:Your truck looks stock . 66 Was the first year that the cab and bed matched and it was F100 . Did you check the vin on the passenger frame rail . Your truck could have a checkered past like mine.
I need to check that VIN so I can have some info to go off of. I might do that in the morning.