Hot Rods Tech question - 58 F-100 steering and brakes

I have a 58 F-100 short bed and a 78 F-100 long bed for parts.

I want to use the big rear brakes, front disc brakes and cross power steering from the 78
in place of the smaller drums and manual drag link steering.

will the spindles from the twin I-beam fit the original solid axle ?

I've seen some info about the rear brakes - said to use 68 - 72 axles and the 78 brakes or
just use 68 - 72 brakes. can anyone confirm, deny or provide additional info ?

 

anyone?

 

The 65 up cross steering is going to be problematic on these years. I'm not saying it can't be done but it's like reinventing the wheel though. The straight axle trucks...pre-65 are totally different suspension designs than 65 up. It's actually easier to use some parts from other makes that share characteristics with the 64 and earlier designs. For instance the Toyota 4x4 power and manual steering boxes from 80s trucks are a popular swap for 1st 2nd 3rd and 4th generation F series trucks. Also there are other aftermarket power steering kits for these years.

No. You can use the 5x5 1/2 later model hubs on the 58 axle...spindle. These are offered in bolt on "kit" form. Now whether these use all stock components like stock "58" bearings and races....I don't know.

Most of these bolt on disk brake kits use 65 up...1970s..... Ford disk hubs with GM car calipers.

The 9" Ford axle debut in 1957 and changed little if all until 1972. As a matter of fact a 72 9" truck axle is a bolt on replacement for 48-56 Ford trucks. The optional Dana axles....MAY be different.

Since a 72 9inch is the same as a 58 I see no advantage in changing. Also I see no real gain in changing to 78 rear drums even if they are slightly bigger. Personally I think it's too much work for too little gain.

I prefer stock steering and stock brakes on these trucks. I can understand the desire for disks on the front or a double cylinder but I enjoy the simplicity and reliability of the original design. It is what it is.

 

The purpose for the build is as a tow vehicle for my 1961 17 foot Aristocrat travel trailer and anything else I need to tow. I'm going with a purpose built 351W and T-19 for motivation and will need bigger better brakes to to along with that. Cross steering that steers off the right instead of drag link steering off the left seems to be more stable in wind, so I want that as well. I just thought since I have a 78 F-100 with discs, big drums and cross steering available as a donor I could make that happen.