Have an unusual project??

[Ol' Ron]

I'm trying to convert the front braked of a 48 Ford to disk brakes with the 5 on 4 1/2 bolt pattern to use lathe Ford wheels. Anybody have any suggestions.

 

[donald1950]

when i changed my 41 pick up to disk brakes i used a complete ECI kit. here is a link to the early ford page, and they have what you are looking for... they were very "phone tech" helpfull with my questions. i would highly recomend them.... don

http://www.ecihotrodbrakes.com/early_ford_discbrake_conversions.html

 

[41ford1]

It's not so unusual. Speedway has a kit for 4 1/2". Here is a link to the instruction sheet. You might be able to get pieces if you don't need the whole kit. http://static.speedwaymotors.com/pdf/910-31945.pdf
I used a Speedway kit (5 1/2" BC) on the pickup to deal with today's traffic. It worked out well.

 

[tombarb33]

The 80,s Mopar hub/rotor is an economical swap, requiring only a sleeve for the inner (large) bearing. I believe they are 5 on 4 3/4 so would need to be drilled for the 5 on 4 1/2.

 

[19Fordy]

41ford1: When you say, " I used a Speedway kit (5 1/2" BC) on the pickup to deal with today's traffic. It worked out well." Did the wheel mounting distance to wheel mounting distance remain the same as the stock WMS to WMS distance?

 

[41ford1]

19fordy, I did not measure that. I don't think it changed any more than 1/2". The pickup came to me with stock drums and early 90s F150 wheels. The drums were turned to 12.10" and the shoes and one cylinder was shot. I elected to convert to disk. I am also running 15" smoothie wheels. The kit I used requires a wheel that will clear the calipers. I don't know if the stock 16" wheels will fit. The rotors the the kit I used are late 70s F150.

 

[felix37]

Chassis Engineering has a kit as well as as the individual components. Their front hubs come drilled for Ford 4 1/2'' and GM 4 3/4"

 

[Ol' Ron]

Well I can't thank you guys enough. I tried searching for this stuff and found it to be very unclear about the bolt patterns. So I thought I'd give the Barn a shot. I started making an adapter today to install the T-170 in the truck. The Mopar wheels are 5 on 4 1/2. I'm using a rear axle from a Jeep Cherokee. and that's why I want the front disds to be the same. Thanks again.

 

[tiquer]

Ron check the size of the center hole on the mopar wheels seems I remember they were small for ford style rotors??

 

[Fordors]

Ron, Donald has it right, the kit you want from ECI is the EC 710 brackets and hardware only, or the EC 710CK complete kit with everything needed. Speedway has a similar kit listed as 910-31914 which will fit your '48 pickup spindles which take different wheel bearings than the passenger car spindle of the same year. These kits use Aspen rotors with the 4 1/2 BC.
I believe the Speedway kit is the exact item from ECI, but costs less.

 

[Pete]

I used the Wilwood kit on one of my cars.. Bolted right on with no mods or machine work. Aluminum hubs also.