Front disk brake kits, which one?

[muskrat]

Morning. About ready to pull the trigger on my long wanted front disk brake kit.

In doing some research, found out that Duff's offers a kit also. This I didn't know.

What's the scoop. Which is more complete? Seems like the Duff Kit uses Ford parts that would be easier for replacements, meaning its not all pieced together with different year parts.

Which is easier to install?

Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[broncodriver99]

The Duff's kit is an aftermarket version of the late 70's Ford disc brakes. If you are going to go that route I would save about $800 and piece it together from here or the scrapyard.

If the knuckles are cast as they were in '77 they have wheel fitment issues due to the tie rod location. Ford changed them in '78 and mitigated the interference issues.

 

[mimmonen]

I put a Tom's kit in last summer. Went in slick and works great. Only bitch is the Chinese bearings that came with the kit.

 

[dave67fd]

I purchased the JBG kit, about half the cost. The Duffs kit includes new knuckles if thats the route you want/need to go.
With the JBG kit you can't use the stock lock-out hubs.

 

[thegreatjustino]

The knuckles out kit won't work on a Dana 30.

 

[Bronco Junkie]

I put a Tom's kit in last summer. Went in slick and works great. Only bitch is the Chinese bearings that came with the kit.

X2...Tom's kit is good...Chinese bearings suck!

 

[BoureeOne]

I went with the WH complete Chevy conversion kit for my Dana 30. Great kit. Good instructions. And below is a 3 part video on youtube that walks you through the entire process.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9meLGBOLYI


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qL7zJYGqFb4


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEGzdHzWFuM

 

[jmangi62]

I just pieced mine together anytime there was a sale,spent way less and got the parts I needed,I'm not in any hurry tho as I'm doing a complete restmod on my rig,good luck

 

[sykanr0ng]

The knuckles out kit won't work on a Dana 30.

If it is the '74 Bronco in his sig., it should have a Dana 44.

That would be better served by the all Ford conversion since it makes using larger half shaft u-joints much easier, because of the larger through hole in the knuckles.

 

[Cactus killer]

In our kit we use the duff knuckles and brackets and add the rest of the kit and upgrade it with t-bird calipers, ball joints, bearings, and stainless steel brake lines and in tro tierod over or tru tierod under. We also can install the ball joints befor shipping.
No need to use a prop valve with our kit.

 

[FlogginHarvey]

Went BC kit here with 77/78 style knuckles (bigger hole to do RCV swap later) and had them ream out for a BC Hiem steering TRO all together. Went great! Stops better!

 

[toddz69]

The Duff's kit is an aftermarket version of the late 70's Ford disc brakes. If you are going to go that route I would save about $800 and piece it together from here or the scrapyard.

If the knuckles are cast as they were in '77 they have wheel fitment issues due to the tie rod location. Ford changed them in '78 and mitigated the interference issues.

The beauty of the Duff's kit (and BC's as well that uses their knuckles) is that they chose to use a Ford knuckle that combines nearly all the desirable features that most folks want in their disc brake front end. They're the 78-79 F150 SuperCab knuckles(nearly unobtanium) that combine the large hole opening for broken axle/u-joint access, the tire clearance of the 78-79 regular F150/Bronco knuckles AND the higher steering arm height of the stock drum knuckles/76-77 disc brake knuckles which many people want.

Todd Z.

 

[sykanr0ng]

The beauty of the Duff's kit (and BC's as well that uses their knuckles) is that they chose to use a Ford knuckle that combines nearly all the desirable features that most folks want in their disc brake front end. They're the 78-79 F150 SuperCab knuckles(nearly unobtanium) that combine the large hole opening for broken axle/u-joint access, the tire clearance of the 78-79 regular F150/Bronco knuckles AND the higher steering arm height of the stock drum knuckles/76-77 disc brake knuckles which many people want.

Todd Z.

The real advantage to the SuperCab knuckles as opposed to the '76-'77 Bronco knuckles is that the steering arms are straight where the '76-'77 Bronco knuckles angle outward, which makes clearance worse.

 

[toddz69]

The real advantage to the SuperCab knuckles as opposed to the '76-'77 Bronco knuckles is that the steering arms are straight where the '76-'77 Bronco knuckles angle outward, which makes clearance worse.

Correct - which I noted as item #2 in my original post above.

Todd Z.

 

[stlo]

Toms chevy kit here.... Works great

 

[mlogan24]

The Chevy disk brake swap was one of the first things I did on mine (almost 15 years ago! dang.) Seriously, have you considered piecing it together and doing it yourself? It's a dead nuts easy swap and you can save some bucks doing it that way.

 

[muskrat]

Thanks for feedback

THanks for the feedback folks. I went with the Tom's deluxe kit. Great reviews and the price was the most agreeable to the wallet.

This disk brake upgrade is the final piece of the safety upgrades to the Bronco. Started with the roll cage and 3 point belts, followed by the power steering swap. Can't wait for the new disks.

Maybe my wife will feel more comfortable driving it now????

 

[YaleEB]

WH kit, works great, easy install.

 

[broncodriver99]

They're the 78-79 F150 SuperCab knuckles(nearly unobtanium) that combine the large hole opening for broken axle/u-joint access, the tire clearance of the 78-79 regular F150/Bronco knuckles AND the higher steering arm height of the stock drum knuckles/76-77 disc brake knuckles which many people want.

Todd Z.

Interesting. I run the standard 78/79 knuckles and haven't had an issue with the lower tie rod location but I can see the advantage of them being in the higher stock EB location.

 

[toddz69]

Interesting. I run the standard 78/79 knuckles and haven't had an issue with the lower tie rod location but I can see the advantage of them being in the higher stock EB location.

I too run the 78/79 knuckles(with a tie rod over) and from a geometry standpoint, they're better for my particular configuration as well in addition to giving what I consider to be acceptable tie rod height. But a lot of people like the taller height of the stock knuckle steering arms.

Todd Z.