I'm puttin a stright axle under my '55 Ford Customline & I'm using a '48 Ford F1 I-beam. I know alot of you guys are gonna tell me what my dear ol' Pappy said, "Just run disk brakes!" I don't wanna. I wanna know if anyone has added later model "self adjusting" hardware to the early Ford drum baking plates and get rid of that SUPER LAME adjusting bolt. It looks pretty straight forward. Any ideas on what years would work? Lets discuss!
The guts from post-'56 F100 brakes can be used on pre-'56 F100...but I'm not sure if that applies to the earlier F1s also.
What Cooter said - up to about 64/66, the self-adjusting stuff all interchanges with F100...unsure about F1, but *think* they're the same...don't quote me on it though!
Thanks fellas! I been comparing pics from F1 and F100's and they look identical and the shoe measurements are the same.
I am pretty sure that the brakes on a 1948 F1 axle are the "new" brakes that you are looking for. CHAZ
Sounds like you have the axle from a F-2 or F-3, that's the one that has the bolt adjusters. The F-1 had the "normal" star adjusters. F-1 through F-3 have the same axle and spindle. Model C is F-1, D is F-2.
Hi I came across this thread, I have a 1952 F2 and am interested in fitting a disk brake front, kits are available for the F1, but the sellers tell me they won't fit the F2 ( different spindles) Does anyone know if this is true? Or of another conversion option ( I am happy to retain the live axle)
The front axles and spindles are the same for the F-1 through F-3 models. If you go with the F-1 kits you'll have to change the rear axle to match the five bolt pattern or you're going to have to carry two spares, one for the front and one for the rear. You can convert the front to disc and retain the eight bolt pattern using off the shelf parts. There was a guy on the Ford Truck Enthusiasts' site that did and listed all the parts needed. He left the site and took his information with him but I was able to get it from him and post it on my web site: http://fatfenderedtrucks.com/f2_f3_discbrakes.html
Myself, I would use the drums you have and backing plates but use the '49 Ford and up brakes with the ratchet gear on the bottom and be sure you have the brake/shoes the same width and length to match the diameter of your drums. It can be done and then you would have to mill a slot on the backing plates for the adjusting tool. This way you have the least amount of work rather than drill new holes to match the axle. More details can be compared by having everything clean and ready to go for lineup purposes nd final installation. More ???'s
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