Questionv8 ...3speed...drum brakes.want to change to power disc on front leave drum on rear and add power steering. what years will work for parts from salvage yard? any help will be great.
AnswerI guess you didn't notice in my intro that I don't get into any kind of modifications - I've never done them and I don't really encourage it.
However, in your case, I happen to know that a 66 3/4 ton Ford can be converted to discs from a later model Ford 3/4 ton - somewhere in the 70s, as I had one that that had been done to, and it worked out pretty well. I have a 65 3/4 ton 4X4 Ford now which has the original brake setup, and it works just fine, but the power brakes on the 66 made it easier to push the pedal down, if that's important to you.
Unfortunately, the problem with stopping pickup trucks is that the load cannot be predicted, so unless you install an automatic proportioning valve, you will either have too much rear wheel braking when the truck is empty (causing spin outs on fast stops) or too little rear wheel braking when the truck is loaded, (causing nasty crunches as you hit the guy in front of you), this is why I'm very cautious about any braking system "upgrade" that hasn't been designed by a competent automotive design engineer to be right for all conditions.
You should sign on to the Ford Truck newsgroup and post your question there, someone will have done this swap, and can tell you what the pitfalls are.
The power steering swap will be easiest if you find an identical truck with power steering and swap all the parts over. You don't say what size truck you have, but I think power steering was available on the 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton models.
Depending on where you live, there is probably a trucks only wrecking yard somewhere near you. Out here in the San Diego area, there is Gallant's truck salvage - and they've got everything under the sun for Ford trucks from the 40s to current production. I've got a 52, the 65, and two other 66s in my fleet, all Ford 3/4 ton trucks, driven by myself or one of my sons - and we get all our parts from Gallants. They will ship parts to you if you call them. Just look up Gallant's Truck Salvage in Oceanside CA on google and call them for anything you need.
I hope this is of some help - fiddling with braking and steering is not for amateurs, so be careful and find someone who has done it and will be honest with you about the results before you get hurt!
Dick
