Buddy of mine just picked up a 44 for his '69 EB, but its drum. Whats the easiest way to convert it to disk? Is the spindle bolt pattern the same as the F150? While he's in there, are there any shaft upgrades that he should look in to (specifically ones related to the disk conversion, like beefier shafts that work with different brake parts)? I haven't worked with the Ford stuff much, but I seem to recall the F150 spindle having a 5 bolt pattern. (Yes, I tried the search).

Thanks,

Pete

I'm guessing that you want to keep it 5 lug? If so all you need is a small bearing chevy spindle 75 and back I think. Or you can use a FSJ spindle. Also grab the backing plate and caliper. Then you need a hub rotor off a ford f-150. Bolt it all on and I think that you can not use the outer snap ring on the axle.

The first thing you have to do is ID the axel . If the backing plate is held on with 5 bolts then you can junkyard from there out from a 76up solid axel d44 F150. get roters, calipers,caliper hangers and don't forget master cylinder and proporshing valve (disk breaks require more fluid). Now for the bad part if it is 6bolts I have not found any fords that use them. But if you don't mind using jeep parts then I believe wagoneer calipers and caliper hangers will work but haven't tryed it yet, or compared roter size.
good luck

Originally posted by emsoffroad
I'm guessing that you want to keep it 5 lug?

I want to go full width 8 lug, but its not mine. It is his DD, so it will have to stay small for now. So, if its 6 lug, the Chevy spindle will bolt on? I've helped a couple Jeep buddies build front ends using Chevy knucles, spindles, and brakes with Ford outers, hubs, and rotors, sounds like a similar setup will work here.

Pete

If it's a EB drum D44, than it will definitely have the 6 bolt pattern spindle. Get the spinde, caliper bracket, and caliper for a 76' or earlier GM D44. Use the F150 rotor/hub/bearings and your done. If he wants a COMPLETE list contact www.sierrabronco.com and my buddy Ron will help him out.

Get some F150 or GM 1/2 ton truck D44 axles and have the long inner cut down/resplined for $50. Better yet, get a set of Moser HD axles from Sierrabronco.
:beer:

It should be a standared FORD 5 lug weel and roter. The part that can be different is the backing plates and spindals . The newer ones 76and up have 5 bolts that hold the spindal and backing plate on the older ones have 6 on a narrower patern.
but the waggies use the 6 bolt spindals with disk breaks ford used the 5 bolt spindal with disk and 6 bolt on the older drums.
but the waggie used bouth 5 and 6 bolt weel/lug paterns (year dependent/or what part suplyer amc was useing at the time). Chevy D44 from the knuckle out will allso work But the weel bolt patern will be wrong . so if you don't mind carring 2 spares or a multy paterned spare it works.
hope this helped

on mine i used the spindles, backing plates, and calipers from a blazer that had a d44 with ford hub and rotors. you have to grind a little on the calipers so they will fit as to different clocking. with the chevy parts, including new pads, bolt kits, and hoses, the ford hub and rotors i have $200 in mine

Did the 8 lug on one just this summer, just rob and 8 lug GM/dodge. Spindle out, also unless the rear had the larger u-joints you can't use the snap ring on axle.