Questions about the disc brake swap

[mrsnicks]

Okay, so I have read the posts, and read Keith's write up, but I have a few more questions before I do this I will be removing the whole I-beam assembly and swapping it out.

1. Which coil springs do I use.. bumpside, or dentside.
2. Which shocks do I use.. bumpside, or dentside.
3. I still use my distribution block (front) and use the dent prop valve (back) right?
4. Do I have to replace all the brake lines up front? I know I have to use the dent line bracket and the soft line to the caliper.
5. I have a power booster and bracket for my front drums. Can I re-use either of those with the new disc brake setup.

I'll be removing the assembly here shortly and clean it up and prep it up, but wanted to get those questions answered before I did anything.

Thanks,

Patrick

[FORDification]

1) The springs you use depends on which radius arms you use. If you're planning on dropping the whole front suspension from the donor truck, just use the dentside springs. If you want to (or have to) use the bumpside radius arms, then use the bumpside springs.

2) The shocks are the same.

3) No, with disc brakes you'll discard your distribution block and just use the dentside's proportioning valve instead.

4) It would be a lot easier to replace the brake lines than to try to modify the existing lines. Since the prop valve mounts on top of the steering box (or on the rear of the crossmember), your existing lines will require more modifications than they're worth. You can buy straight 3/16" brake line at any auto parts store for about $10 or so and just cut/bend it to fit. The 3/16" line doesn't require a tubing bender unless you do some very sharp radius bends.

5) The power brake booster and brackets will work, providing they're from a '73-'77. The '78/'79 booster pushrod is too long to work on our trucks. (It might be possible to swap the pushrods, but I haven't tried it so I can't say for sure.)

[mrsnicks]

The booster, mc, and bracket are from a bumpside to my knowledge.

Patrick

[MadMaxetc]

1) The springs you use depends on which radius arms you use. If you're planning on dropping the whole front suspension from the donor truck, just use the dentside springs. If you want to (or have to) use the bumpside radius arms, then use the bumpside springs...

Why? Sorry, I don't see how this would matter?