Has anyone ever changed drum brakes to disc brakes?

Question

I have a 1966 Ford Ranchero project car. It is drivable, but I have two kids in car seats, which don't all fit inside, so I don't drive it often. When it sits for more than a few months, the "rubber" seals in the wheel cylinders get hard and freeze up -- no brakes. I am interested in changing to disc brakes to avoid this.

Has anyone done this themselves?
Is it expensive?
Is it a hassle?
Do you do all four wheels?

I am somewhat mechanically inclined, which is to say I can change out parts without breaking anything. I run into trouble when bolt holes don't line up and there are extra parts, etc.

Any advice? Please don't say just drive the car more often.

Answer 1

Letting the car sit for 2-3 months shouldn't cause brake failure. I would suspect contamination of water or rust in the brake lines. Have you completely flushed the brake system with new fluid? Use only regular DOT3 fluid, the newer fluids and synthetics can eat the rubber parts in older brake systems. I would also suggest newer rubber lines that go from the frame to the wheel cylinders.

I've got a '54 Chevy with drum brakes. It was in storage over the past year, and the brakes still work fine. The trick is to use good parts, right fluid, and keep lines clean.

Answer 2

Yes the front drum brakes can be converted to disk.
the conversion requires that the spindles, proportioning valve, master cylinder and power booster(if power brake) be changed.
the spindles could be used but all other parts should be purchased new.
I believe you can use same year LTD or Galaxie parts but I am not positive so check with a Ford shop or a recking yard that sells used parts either should be able to confirm this.
changing only the drum brakes to disc brakes without changing the proportioning valve and master cylinder would not be a safe conversion. disc brake are more efficient and require less pressure that drum brake so a proportioning valve used for drum brakes when used for disc brakes would cause uneven braking. also disc brake require a greater volume of brake fluid that drum brakes. this requires the master cylinder be changed.
if safety is your main concern do all or none!

Answer 3

O-k well, In newer cars or trucks that have drum brakes in the rear they usually have an option for a model with disk brakes that you can steel the rear axle with all the needed components already on it.In the case of one as old as yours,you need to find out what options were sold from factory in that year for that car.I do believe they did make front disk brake option for that vehicle but they all were rear drum brakes.So, What you will need to do for the rear is to check on rear differential (complete Axel assembly) possibilities to other model cars around the same year range that came with a rear disk brake option.Which from my recollection will be nearly impossible considering there wasn't alot of vehicles with rear disk brakes as an option around that time period.
So what you will have to do is find a newer model car where the measurements are the same and the spring set up is the same.My suggestions to check are a ford Mustang.1983-1990. Or a Chevy elcamino which I recall had disk rear as an option at 1984 and after.Its not same manufacture but if measurements and spring pockets are the same and rear end gearing is similar,with a little modification it should fit.

Answer 4

Yes, it's expensive, and as it's a 66, it most likely never came with disc option so it may be difficult to match or retrofit hubs, rotors, calipers, etc. You'll probably have to adjust the brake metering, too. I don't often mess with stuff like that so I forget what that little bit is called right now Yes, it is a hassle. You want to do at least the front, if you don't do it all the way around.

I strongly recommend you do not cheap out and use junk yard parts if you decide to do the research to find out what will fit. If you go to a Ford tuners forum, they may be able to point you in the right direction with a drum to disc swap. Be warned about tuner forums though, they're all over chicks like flies on ... you know.

Answer 5

You can do only the front brakes and be OK. Most of your stopping power comes from the front brakes. You would need a proportioning valve to balance the front and rear brakes, otherwise you will have a condition where your brakes will want to lock up too easily.

Expect to pay at least $1000 for the conversion.

Follow the link below for a place to start

Answer 6

It is a bit of a job, but ther are kit conversons available. Some are good and some require work to adapt. Ususally only the front brakes are converted. However, conversons are usually done to improve stopping power. I had a ranchero and it sat for over a year with no problems, so I wonder what is the cause of your failure. the only problem I ever had was the head gasket. Had to replace every 60,000 miles or so. I loved that car, was so easy to work on and very economical to operate.

Answer 7

yes: but it is expensive and much more involved than backyard mechanics .. seek professional help ...
many autos have disc front and drum rear.. this is widely accepted. if your wheel cylinder seals get hard in a few months . i would talk to a professional mechanic . something is wrong !!!
your life and the life of your children are riding on those brakes.. that's something to think about . when you are in the driveway tinkering with them ...

Answer 8

it would be a rather dificult process. youd essentially be switching out the entire hub assembly, and replacing it with a disk brake setup. i dont know if there are direct swaps available, but it could be done, and has been many times before.

Answer 9

change out the backing plates and spindles to disk you can get those out of junk yard off of Galaxy 500 or mercury only change the front. get back with me for more info. [e-mail] 30 years exp.

Answer 10

Thank you everyone for the answers!