Econoline straight axle disc brake conversion?

Does anyone know of a kit to adapt disc brakes to the frontend of an Econoline straight axle? I'm looking to swap the Econoline axle into a gasser project, and would like to have disc brakes over the drum setup.

 

Give D & D a call they make a kit for Ford vans (541)740-9468.

 

Thanks! Looks like they're in my neighborhood too from the area code!

 

There is a Wilwood caliper available for this setup.



http://www.tsmmfg.com/1190.htm

 

I think there are a couple decent options, hit the Econoline forums.

 

Sounds like good options here. Thanks again guys! The axle is going under a '63 Falcon Futura project.

 

Also this kit:http://www.tsmmfg.com/1190.htm uses GM "G" body 78 to 83 calipers which are cheap $12.00ea from http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/1979-Chevrolet-Malibu/Brake-Caliper-Front/_/N-imesxZ8knro

 

I built my own for cheap. I used those cheap weld on brackets the dirt track suppliers sell for the rear and modified them to bolt on (they now look just like the ones in the kit in the link above). Summit or Speedway should have them. Used GM metric calipers. If you have the econiline hubs, just knock out the studs and remove the drums. Crown vic rotors will fit right on those hubs. I used Aerostar rotors so I could run 14" wheels.
With the brackets, new calipers, grade 8 bolts, hose kit from Speedway, I have around $100 into mine. I got used rotors for free.

 

Really great information! Thanks! I'm all about doing it cheaper!

 

i recall a piece in hot rod magazine--probably in the 70s--on how to do it. may be in hrm archives.

 

what are u guys using for a master cylinder? thats good info to fit the 14" wheels, i want this set up in my 61 econoline, but i know those masters are tiny.

 

What kind of wheels are you going to run? Do you think a vented rotor will look heavy on the front I am planing disc for the front of my 61 P/U but I am no were close for that part yet.

 

Way too early to think about wheels yet, but hopefully something traditional like old slots or some early spoke.

 

I guess it depends on if its for the street or track.

 

I have an econoline axle in my 63 nova and i got my caliper brakets from Dennis farris I forget the name of his company but I have all the info at home VERY GOOD product and great to work with pm me and Ican get you more info

 

I used the D&D kit on my '65 Econo. Works great, easy to install, and Dennis was always quick witha resopnse when I had questions. I used a '77 Maverick dual MC. It works pretty good. I think it's a 15/16" bore, but I've been told that a 1" bore would be even better. No problems so far. I bought a dual MC bracket from Fred Carillo (who is on the HAMB somewhere), but this guy also sells a complete set up

http://www.themodernform.com/econoline/econoline_master.html

Lots of great info here on the HAMB on this install

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=159016

If you keep up with the Econoline/old van forums you'll meet a guy named Vic who makes a really nice (but more $$ than D&D) disk conversion kit. I think his uses AMC parts.

 

That's D&D ... http://www.dddiscbrakes.com/kits.html

Dennis & his son also make other parts, like rear roll pans.

 

These are what I used. I suppose I had a couple hours into modifying them to fit but that's 20 bucks, not 200.

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Weld-On-1978-88-GM-Flat-Mount-Caliper-Bracket,21280.html

 

Thanks again for all the great replies, and so many options! Just bought the Falcon this week, but I've had the Econoline axle since last year when I bought it with this type of project in mind!
Wont be starting the gasser build for awhile, as we're remodeling the house, but hopefully by spring it will begin!

 

i talked to dennis when i had my 65 econoline pickup and i do believe they used jeep grand cherokee rotors. those weld on brackets sound like great option to me and wasn't their a place that supplied circle track cars for disc brackets and they were cheap, like $10 a side!

 

Dug up all the parts to make up the kit you mentioned. New rotors from Autozone were $56 a pair, Camaro calipers $32 a pair. Speedway bracket under $20 a pair. Just over $100 for the changeover. Subtract whatever I can get out of the two brand new brake drums, wheel cylinders, brake shoes and spring kits, plus used backing plates. I may be into it pretty darn cheap if there's a market for the new/used Econoline parts!

 

Does anyone sell the adaptor plates only?

What are the wheel studs used in the stock hub to locate the disc?

 

See post #2.
Give D & D a call they make a kit for Ford vans (541)740-9468.

 

Go to carnut.com, then go to the tech page. Has a 61-67 Econoline disc install. If you contact him he will send you a template and all the bolt on info. I did this a few years back and worked great.

 

I found everything on the installation process. But nothing on the parts and a way to contact. Does anyone have contact info?

 

This is the method I'm using. Purchased the Speedway weld on brackets and I cut and drilled them to fit the backing plate pattern. The rest the parts I got at Autozone cheap. The GM calipers were $15ea., the rotors were also $15ea., and hoses from my local supplier were $12ea. for braided SS hoses.

 

Which rotors?

 

Crown Vic if you want to run larger wheels, and Aerostar if you want to run something closer to stock, like 14" wheels.

 

Have another question for the E100 experts. I still haven't installed the conversion on my E100 axle, although I have all the parts, but I started helping a friend do his axle today. When we pulled the wheels I discovered his hubs have pressed drums on the hubs, but mine are a slip fit, separate from the hubs. After a lot of work, I finally got the hubs separated from the drums, only to discover the hubs wouldn't fit inside the Aerostar rotors! Had to chuck the hubs in my lathe and turn them down about 1/4" overall to allow them to fit.
Did Ford change from press on to separate drum/hub, and did the hub size change externally when they did so?

 

Btt