[placeboe]

1966 LTD, 2dr fastback, 390 4-V, P/S, Power boost drums.

Want to convert fronts to disc - that's how I found this forum. Anyone with exact experience with this conversion - please let me know.

[Kruser]

Originally Posted by placeboe

1966 LTD, 2dr fastback, 390 4-V, P/S, Power boost drums. Want to convert fronts to disc - that's how I found this forum. Anyone with exact experience with this conversion - please let me know.

Alright, I don't have exact experience with this swap, so I guess my post won't be worth much.
With that said, the '66 LTD had an option for disc brakes from the factory, so if you could find a donor car, that could possibly be your cheapest way to go. Looks like Ford used a lot of the same parts way into the mid-70s. One neat item with RockAuto is that you can look to see how many years a single part was used for each make and model. Take some spare time and play around with that feature to see what make and model you can rob parts from.
If a donor car is not possible, there are aftermarket companies that have this kit. Doing a quick search shows Dearborn Classics probably has it. (Again, I have no experience with that manufacturer) It looks like you MIGHT have to go to a bigger wheel with some of these kits; you'll have to ask each manufacturer on that.
With that being said, expect to spend maybe $1500 or more by the time you have all the parts needed by buying an aftermarket conversion kit.

P.S. I used to have a '69 Nova that had factory drum brakes without power. Trying to slow that thing down was an experience within itself.

[Skyhawk]

Suggestions: Do the research, that is determine if the brake disc option was available for your LTD. I recall that it was. Ditto on the donor car idea. In doing the research determoine if the same parts were used on the Lincoln and Mercury and for which years. Gather a list of Ford (Lincoln/Mercury) parts numbers. You will need calipers, discs, and brake hoses at a minimum, and most likely steering knuckles . The brake master cylinder will also very likely need to be changed. The master cylinder for disc brakes is usually larger, for example a drum brake master cylinder may be 3/4 inch diameter while a disc brake master cylinder would be 1 inch in diameter. You may also need a proportioning valve, or a change of the drum brake valve. Do the research, gather the parts, and the rest is "nuts and bolts".

[bobbycsells]

I am in the middle of converting my 65 Galaxie 500 over to front disk. Thought I had it all figured out. Found a 67 T-Bird with disk brakes, and got the spindles, rotors, calibers, etc....
The spindles were my biggest concern and they worked, but then found out that the 4 piston calibers are too big for the wheels to fit over. Have been trying to find out if a single piston caliber from a 69 or so Galaxie/tbird will bolt to the spindles I ready have. Have also been exploring the kits although I know they have GM rotors, calibers, etc... in them and I want to keep mine Ford parts. I'll post when I figure it out.

[MyGalB66]

Hi, new to this forum I am but lot's of good info here, thanks to all involved!
Hey, I just took my 66 500XL ragtop for it's first run this year, since I did the front brake disk conversion in the garage.. on my own I might add.. over the last month or so. I think it's do-able by most anybody with a little aptitude and a bit of common sense.
I started off buying a kit for this car from Scarebird, that's a place in the Pacific NW somewhere as I recall.. it was a bracket to hang a particular caliper on, a spacer that slid on the stock spindle to locate properly rotors from a 68 mustang, a few pieces of hardware to ease the installation, and a shopping list of parts including part numbers from NAPA, and a few other suppliers. in addition to those parts I also picked up a rebuilt Master/Booster combo from a 68 Galaxie, replacing the old single MC.
Pretty straight forward install for everything, including the MC/Booster, but I did have to get out the flaring tool I hadn't used in a while and do some plumbing. Changed all the brake lines front to back while I was at it, but if your lines are good you only need to plumb in lines to separate the front from rear.
Tell you what, that car stops like it never has before, really nice! Love it with discs up front! I can testify that it's a good setup now
If your interested in a set up like that let me know, I'll give you as much detail as I can. I B at work just now, so I'll sign off for the moment, maybe talk to you later!
Cheers!

[ridenby]

Might not help but here goes,the '03+ crown vics have a removable alum. front cross member with rack and pinon steering,suspension and all mount to it. Might be worth a look.

[lincolndriver]

like bobbycsells said steer away from the 67 t-bird. they used a special rim to fit that big caliper and if you are thinking aftermarket rims,forget it. I went that route and later switched the whole thing for a 77-79 t-bird. the cougar,ltd II,ranchero will all interchange. Even the earlier models elite and all listed above. you may have to change outer tie rods. I am planning a swap on my 63 r code and will be using 73 mustang.