Ford 4 lug front disc brakes conversion

Discussion in 'Parts Interchange' started by Tommy726, Dec 8, 2013.

  1. Tommy726

    Tommy726 Member

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    I am buying a 1970 Maverick and have already been active on looking to upgrade the car. It is a 4 lug car and I don't mind keeping it that way and have found a front disc brake set up from a '79 Fairmont (also 4 lug). Will this work on converting my drum brake maverick?
    thanks in advance
     
  2. cyclonewill

    cyclonewill Member

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    No. The Fairmont is a totally different car. It may be possible to make it work, but is not practical.

    Best bet is to find a Mav disc assembly.
     
  3. 71gold

    71gold Frank Cooper Supporting Member

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    :Welcome:...:Handshake
     
  4. CaptainComet

    CaptainComet Large Member

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    Welcome to the board.

    I believe the lug patterns between the two are different also ... hard to believe but there were two different four bolt lug patterns in the 70s.

    Switching to 5 lugs is the easy way to get discs on these cars and opens a whole world of wheel and tire choices up to you. If you can find a Granada or Monarch with an 8" rear (or better yet a rare 9") that would be an excellent donor for your car, front and back. The rear axle is a touch wider and places old school wheels better centered in the wheel tubs.
     
  5. junrai

    junrai Member

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    -I have a complete 4 lug set up with disc brakes
    I bought it on a cross member that was cut out of a car. I already had it on my comet just to see if it bolts up. it bolts up but the springs are useless as theyre too short to even hold the body up. I searched some part numbers and came up with pinto monarch mustang granada all kinds of different cars. if interested get in touch Ill sell it DIRT CHEAP since I already have 5 lug
     
  6. Crazy Larry

    Crazy Larry Member

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    Find a 5-lug set-up. Much better selection of wheels, and easy to get parts for.
     
  7. Tommy726

    Tommy726 Member

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    thanks for the welcomes & info! I understand switching to the 5 lug bolt pattern opens up many tire and wheel options but I kinda like the factory dog dish caps that are still on the car. maybe if I eventually come across a donor car, I'll do the conversion and since I haven't received the car yet (being shipped from CA), I am not 100% certain that there aren't discs up front already, I am just assuming they are not so I've been doing some searching to make improvements.
     
  8. Paul Masson

    Paul Masson MCCI Atlantic Canada Rep

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    You can just get 5-lug steel wheels that will take the dog dish hub caps and trim rings. You may have to go with wider trim rings, as the 4-lug wheels are terribly narrow!

    The Foxbody 4-lugs (Mustang, Fairmont, T-Bird) have a smaller bolt pattern (4 x 4.25") versus the Maverick, Mustang, Falcon ones (4 x 4.5").

    I would (am currently buying parts) go 5-lug and discs.

    Good Luck
     
  9. miguel

    miguel Member

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    I got disc brakes and the rear end out of a 1974 comet with no modifications needed.
     

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