Are there any easy swaps...something I can swipe from a later model? I'm not looking for a "kit." Thanks!
Ford Granada's work well. Get everything from the spindle out (rotors, calipers, etc). From there, I believe you will need to buy Granada outer tie rod ends. while you are at it, make sure you get the proportioning valve (mark on it where all of the lines go). Later!! PS. You won't be able to use the original fairlane wheels up front because the center snout of the granada rotor is bigger. However, the bolt pattern is the same.
I had a '67 fairlaine GT that had factory discs on the front...Is that posssible? They were on it when I bought it and was able to find calipers for it somewhere on the web...4 or 5 years ago.....
My buddy had a 66 Fairlane GTA back in high school powered by a 1970 428 CJ. It had 69-70 Mustang/Cougar disc brakes up front. Worked well and it's a direct bolt on with factory parts. Just get the right master cylinder, proportioning valve and residual valves...buy 1970 Mustang stuff and you'll be golden.
What Fat Hack said. '68-'73 Mustang & Cougar stuff all bolts on to the earlier cars - get everything from the spindles outward. The earlier Mustang stuff fits too, but the parts are more expensive. You won't be able to use stock 14" wheels. You'll have to have at least 15" wheels to clear the calipers - check the center register hole too.
All are correct. Almost all of the ford/mercury stuff with the springs about the A-arm will interchange. The Granada is a lot easier to find and much less pricey than say an early Mustang. You would not have the wheel issue I described in my previous post if you are lucky enough to find the early stuff. The good thing about the Granada stuff to is that over the counter parts are very cheap. You can get a new rotor for $35 and you can get a rebuilt fully loaded caliper for about $12.
Hmmm...so I could buy two rotors, two calipers, new pads, outter tie rod ends, probably a new (rebuilt) MC, and all I'd need to snag from a Granada are the spindles and proportioning valve? Sweet...what year granada are we talking about?
1975-79 Granadas all use the type of disc brake set-ups you're looking for. The later Granadas were based on the Fox ch***is platform and a whole different animal! If memory serves, however...there may be an issue that needs addressing with the Granada spindles...I believe the ball joints are different. The 69-70 Mustang/Cougar parts are a direct bolt in, but Granada stuff will be cheaper, as stated. I think you need an oddball bal joint to make the Granada swap work, but don't quote me, it's been a few years. However, the late 60s/early 70s Mustang/Cougar/Montego/Fairlane/Torino parts all fit no problem. I got away with just a good rebuild on the front drums with my 289 powered 66 Fairlane, but I did have a couple Granada parts cars available in case I wanted to try that swap! I remember someone telling me to buy a specific ball joint or maybe it was a steering tie rod to adapt the Granada spindle to the Fairlane, but I can't recall for sure now! Either route will work, though...it oughtta be an easy enough swap!
Yep, it is the outer tierod ends that you will need to change. The Granada spindle has a larger tierod hole. You should be able to get away with using Granada outer tierod ends. The should be a direct replacement for the Fairlane outers. However, Don't make the mistake end up with Lincoln Versialles (Luxury Granada) stuff. Those spindles will require a larger ball joint. Oh, and if you buy all new, you will need the spindle, caliper hardware, and you also want the rotor dust shield that bolts to the spindle. Good Luck!
Ok, so I've got a lead on Maverick parts... Using the Maverick stuff, what do I need to convert? Things like...do I need to use Maverick tie rod ends or will the Fairlane parts work? Or are they the same? Ball joints will be the same? ***uming I'll be getting the MC, prop valve and other valves/T's. Being a Maverick...I'll be able to keep the stock Fairlane 14" wheels, right? Same 5-lug bolt pattern? Thanks for letting me pick your minds.
Here's what I remember from when I swapped Granada spindles on to a '65 Fairlane: - CUSTOM outer tie rods are needed. Neither the Fairlane or Granada ones will work. www.critesrestoration.com can hook you up with the correct tie rods. - The swap will drop your car about an inch. - My stock 14" rims would not clear the hub. 14" Mopar rims would probably work though. - 2" dropped spindles are available. - I think I had about $250 invested for everything from the spindles out using all new hardware. - Fitting a power booster and a dual m/c between the shock towers & firewalls will be a real *****. I ended up using a disc/drum setup from a 68-72 GM A-body. Ed PS- K&R, check out www.woodyg.com for a pretty knowledgeable (though slow-paced) Fairlane-specific message bored.
Are you SURE this car needs a disc brake swap? My old 66 Fairlane stopped really well with just the (rebuilt) stock drum brakes all around. For a driver, I'd probably leave the drums in place, but swap in a dual reservoir master cylinder from a 68 drum brake Mustang as an upgrade. But...if the car NEEDS brakes now, then it'd be a good time to step up to something better...just get the Maverick master cylinder, proportioning valve, etc...
Well the brakes aren't BAD, they're just four wheel drums. I had all drums on my Cutl***, then switched to front discs and the difference is VERY noticable. If we can swap to discs for cheap, I'd like to. The car is my girlfriends (might have seen the other post) and though I know she's capable of operating the car, I'd just feel MUCH better if the car had better brakes. I'm not worried about the power booster though. I've never liked the absence of pedal feel they give an old car. Thanks for the link to that message board ed. It will help out a lot.
Use the Maverick outer tie rods, the ball joints are the same, your stock wheels may not fit. On my Falcon, the shape of the wheel hoop wouldn't fit over the caliper. You can use the wheels off of the Maverick, they should be 14's. Get the other hardware off the Maverick and you'll be good to go.
After reading the other posts I see there is a few but important things left out. I did the Granada swap on my 65 comet 5 years ago and there was a little more to it. If you have power steering you will need to get a custom lift tie rod end ( J&K mustang in Sacramento) or weld something up. The 66 end will not fit the granda spendel and the Granada end will not fit the 66 tie rod sleeve. On the other side the stock Granada end worked. If I had it to do over I would **** can the power steering. On brake lines you will need to move the hard lines to the front of the suspension. On the master I tried my stock one and it worked just fine so I kept it. On the combination valve I used the one from the Granada.On ball joints Granada spendels fit my stock comet ball joints no problem. The thing stops real good and it was well worth doing. After about a year I ended up getting new rotors. I don't think there's many good used ones left out there.If you need more info let me know. Greg
K&R- Consider upgrading to power brakes. Initially I had the Fairlane set up with a disc/drum manual m/c from SSBC (turned out to be a 68-72 GM unit), and the discs were as ineffective at stopping the car as the drums were. The only improvement was that they didn't pull to either side. After the power brakes, it stopped like a modern car. The pedal was not especially touchy. Just my 2 cents (and then some). Ed
K&R - I pulled my Granada setup off of my '66 Ranchero when I changed over to a MustangII Air Ride setup. I've sold the spindle package already, but if you need the tie rod setup (all have less than 10k miles on it) I will find my old steering linkage and drop it in the mail to you. I ***ume it is the same as a '66 Fairlane.
Yep, Hotwheel...66 Ranchero and 66 Fairlane are the same, although the 66 Ranchero still used the Falcon front fenders, hood and grille...the ch***is is the same.
I put 78 Granada brakes on a 65 Falcon. I replaced the upper ball joints with stock units and new lower control arms. For the tie rod ends, I used MustangSteve tie rod adapters, which were more or less stainless steel cones that slid over your stock tie rod ends. They "enlarged" them so they would fit in the spindle. I used a Granada master cyl (non-power) and Granada brake hoses. I am not running a porportioning valve and it works fine w/o it, IMHO. I will put one in soon, just as an improvement. The steering stops had to be cut down on mine. It might be a good idea to replace your upper A arms as many squeak - get greasable units. It was a very easy swap. Keep in mind the 6 cyl Granada/Monarch had smaller rotors than the V8, so the V8 is better if it's available. I used Granada parts as they are 1/2 the cost as earlier donors and I could use 14" wheels.
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