Thread: donor brakes from another truck

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"Ok guys,

I need opinions good and bad. My 63 chevy pick-up has all drum brakes, manual all the way around. I received an 86 ford econoline for free and it's in my possession now, there are a ton of back tags so I probably wont salvage it. The van has power front disc's and rear drums and a 9" rear end according to my chiltons book. How hard would it be to covert this whole brake system over to my truck? I figure the rear may be easier then front since I can swap the whole axle, I'll be getting a 9" as a plus. I believe the van is leaf-spring in the back though and my truck has coil so I'm not sure how that would work. Would I need to use the rear suspension from the van too? Also, how would I go about changing the front out? I never done anything like this before so this is all hypothetical. The reason I'm thinking like this is because I want power disc's in the front but I don't want to buy a front only kit, then upgrade the master cylinder later, then decide I want better rear brakes, etc. etc. etc. The full kit for my truck is $1500, front and back. I figure van free, $350 for a welder if needed (i know how to use), and another $150-200 for misc. hardware. And I get a 9" rear end. Help me guys.

The nine inch would go in the rear, just fab up some brackets the same as the brackets on your present rear end and put it in using your existing suspension on the '63.

To the best of my knowledge, nothing on the front of the Ford will fit your pickup... Check with Speedway, they have brake kits at a better price then most, www.speedwaymotors.com or maybe get an IFS for the front of your pickup that comes with disc brakes. I have a picture in my gallery of a '59 Chevy I put the front end on, worked out great...

cool site, thanks.

I didn't see anything for my year truck though, it's a 63 chevy. Are the car drums from the same year diffrent then what came on the trucks? I saw that they have a brake kit for full size chevy cars of my year. I'll send them an email but if anyone knows I'd be happy to hear it here too. Thanks.

Unless your after the cool factor, I wouldn't put on rear disk's. You don't need more rear braking. If you do go with them, install a adjustable proportioning valve, I have installed a few to fix the problem with others that have done the same, when their cars rear end locks up to easy, and or pass's the front end under hard braking
I bought my front disk kit for my '57 chevy which came with everything including rubber hoses, and new bearings to convert to roller bearings instead of oem type ball bearings new for $265.00 off ebay, from a guy that has a ebay store. (don't remember who anymore)

Just my .02 worth.

Pat

Originally Posted by joehalford01

cool site, thanks.

I didn't see anything for my year truck though, it's a 63 chevy. Are the car drums from the same year diffrent then what came on the trucks? I saw that they have a brake kit for full size chevy cars of my year. I'll send them an email but if anyone knows I'd be happy to hear it here too. Thanks.

If Speedway doesn't have anything to fit it, let me know. I know I saw a nice disc brake conversion for them someplace......

Not sure how much different the '47-'59 brake are then the '63. My recollection is that Chevy really didn't do much in the brake department until a bit later - but what does a Ford guy know. Page 13 of my latest Speedway Catalog (still cold from the mailbox) shows a 47-59 kit.

SS Brake Co advertises that they can fit about anything:

http://www.stainlesssteelbrakes.com/

Another is Baer and they do list a '63 kit:

http://www.baer.com/

Before I found a correct rear Wilwood kit at Speedway, Baer said that they could make up anything I needed.

wow, thanks for the replies guys, this really gives me some more options.