Projects Front wheel width with disc conversion

So I've read that with a front disc conversion on the 41 ford it will increase the track. Just wondering what width wheels and what backspacing I should be looking at. I am thinking about staying with 16" diameter front and rear. Just don't want to be rubbing or sticking out past the fenders.
Can I go with 7" wide in the front or will they be too wide?
Looking forward to hearing from those who know! Thanks.

 

Doncha think 7" wide on the current brakes would be too wide? Then add disks which space it out even farther?

Are you building a steamroller, or a hot rod?

 

On the disc brake fronts I've done I use a 5 inch wheel

 

Well I guess I didn't realize, the stock rims are 4"! With tires on there still I had no idea. I really don't want to run steelies or the coke bottle style wheels as there's so many this way already. They all look awesome, but would like to be a bit different.

 

we used speedway front disc conversion on our '41 ford. Mopar disc and GM mid size calipers. It did off set the wheels about 1.5" to the outside on both sides. Used ,as I remember, 15" Bronco II wheels to fit disc center hub, 5.5"wide with about 3.5" offset.
I have seen kits that didn't offset the wheels after I did ours! Our kit did wear the front tires a bit more than I'd would like.

 

I was looking at the same speedway kit, actually it's in my cart there haha. What kit did you find that didn't offset?

 

Pete&Jake's offers a front disc brake kit called Power Stopper. It comes in all the popular bolt patterns and does not add width to the front. It's's a little more money than the Chinese kit but much better quality and made in the USA. I have them on my 40 coupe with 15X5 wheels plus a power booster and they stop like a late model.

 

I can't remember as it was 25 yrs ago. May not have been speedway.

 

Might need to call in about those.

They are not on the current price sheet.

 

ECI or Speedway's F-150 rotor/GM caliper disc brake kit does not increase the tread width and keeps the 5 on 5-1/2" bolt circle.

We used some repop 15" steel wheels on one car and some stockers on another.

There is a "lump" on the caliper that needs to be ground down a little.

 

with the speedway kit the mounting bolts to attach the caliper mount to the spindle were too short. had to buy longer bolts. they said the stock '41 dust cap would fit the Mopar disc. Mopar disc used a press in cap and our '41 had a threaded cap! also with the Mopar disc, the center hub is large so finding a stock wheel with a large center hole can be a chore. I found a couple in a junkyard(1995) and found out they were '80's Bronco II FWD.

 

Very good info. I was wondering about the Hub size while looking at wheels. Also wondering how far the snout stuck out, was thinking about rally wheels with police caps, want to make sure the caps will seat without bottoming out on the hub. I've had this problem before and don't want to repeat it. Bought iroc wheels for my elcamino and the hole was too small! Thanks for the input.

 

Now I can't decide if I should get the kit with gm midsize calipers, or the one with metric calipers. The midsize caliper kit is cheaper by over $100. I just wonder which is better.....man being a rookie on these old Ford's is tough. I guess once I do one one I'll be more up to speed. I sold a tractor this weekend so I'm about to start ordering stuff like the leaf kit and front disc kit. I regeared my explorer axle from 4.10 to a 3.55 with all new bearings and seals, got my heads from the machine shop, so I'm making progress.

 

I want to go with a 5 on 4.5 bolt pattern so it matches the explorer axle I'm putting in the rear. I'm going a different route with wheels so this should work out for me. I would like to not be too offset though, but we will see how it goes I reckon.

 

So the wheels I want come in either 4 or 6 inch as the skinniest two sizes. So looks like I may have to go 4 inch?? I'm going to order the brake kit from speedway Friday. If I can go with the 6 inch I will, but this is tough since I will be sending the wheels out for powder coating before I have tires mounted. It would REALLY suck to find out I went too wide and not be able to use them. Also I'm getting 8 inch for the rear, with the explorer axle I feel that should work out.

 

Test fit everything before you modify it and can’t send it back. Everything.

 

i used this as well.

the non metric caliper has a much larger pad surface I believe. They came on stuff like early 70’s impalas

 

Yep I got the non metric.

 

Dan stock 49-56 Ford wheels are 5” there are repos made and custom aluminum to look stock plus ones like American Torque Thrust at 5” too with the later Ford pattern.

 

I used the ECI kit as well on my 41 pickup. F-150 rotors with GM big car calipers. You can buy it with or without these parts, and source them yourself (Rock Auto). They furnish the part numbers. Used a 5”wheel.

 

I wound up getting 15x6" for the front. 4" backspacing so I'm hoping they will work out ok.

 

My 15-6” have a 3.66” back space but 4” would have worked too. That back space will be easier on bearings and steering. Good luck.