Hello I am working out some details on my 32 5w build. I decided to go with front disc brakes for a variety of reasons. I would like to use my early ford spindles and 5x5.5 wheel stud spacing. I found one kit that Mill Works sells but most others are for GM metric. Any idea where I can find a kit or source rotors and brackets that will allow for the use of my 39 5x5.5 wheels Thanks
E.C.I. I have their basic kit of brackets and spacers on my 40 with 5x5-1/2 steel wheels. It uses F-150 rotors and GM calipers which I bought from Rock Auto. https://www.ecihotrodbrakes.com/catalog.html FORD (5-1/2) Bolt Circle - uses 73-93 Ford F100/F150 (2WD) rotors with 71-79 GM big car calipers. EC-730 37-48 p***. car and 37-47 1/2 ton P/U - Basic Kit $ 180.00 EC-730CK - Complete Kit $ 480.00
Just an FYI, the wheels in '39 weren't 5.5" BC. Make sure you know what you want before you order parts.
Makes you wonder if his 39 may have already had a brake swap. E.C.I. was one of the first aftermarket outfits selling disk brake kits.
When you see the term "GM Metric" it is not a reference to the wheel bolt pattern. It is a reference to the caliper size. GM Metric calipers came in cars from 1978-1988. They were a lighter weight replacement for the 1969-1977 big car calipers. The cars got smaller, and so did the calipers. The choices in the disc brake kits for wheel bolt pattern are 5-on-4-1/2" (Ford/Mopar small), 5-on-4-3/4" (GM small), and 5-on-5-1/2" (Ford large, and a few others). The latter tend to use the GM "big car" caliper as the Ford Truck rotor is a little bigger around, and thicker, so the larger caliper fits it better.
Know a guy who had front discs off a 79 f350 0nto a 47 f5 spindles,it was 2 minor machine shop moves that made them bolt on. Replaced the big truck rearend with the one tons and the factory 47 ujoints bolted right up as well.
I moved this to the main board, the traditional hot rod forum is no place for a discussion about disc brakes
You know what is funny Mark? I ONLY use the main board "General Discussion" I think part of the exodus we experienced was after the last big board redo. Guys were pissed that stuff was in "trad..." and "custom" sections not knowing that the main board was the same as before as an aggregate. I don't know how many folks I had to explain this to.
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