Toms bronco disc conversion #7503??

[bubobronco]

I am brand new to this forum and just bought a '74, pics coming. It has the original non-power drum brakes that you really have to stand on to get her to stop. I plan on a 3.5 inch lift with 33" tires. Mostly street use but occasional off road as well. My wife and son will also be driving the vehicle sometimes so I want good braking. I am getting the original 302 rebuilt next week and need some advice on what route to go with the brakes. I am seriously considering the toms bronco disc conversion kit #7503 as it includes the front discs, booster, master cylinder, warn hubs, lines... It is, however, $1145 though and I'm wondering if this is really money well spent or if there are better and/or cheaper options that would be as effective? Or, how effective will it actually be? Anyone installed this kit or similar one from TBP? Other recommendations?? Thanks.. Btw, I plan on keeping the bronco for a long time but also want to consider resale value in case I sell..

 

[thegreatjustino]

I did a front disc conversion with hydroboost using a mix of new and used parts for around $450. At the very least, a hysroboost sytem is going to be a better power brake system than a vacuum booster.

 

[muskrat]

Just finished the TBP conversion a few weeks ago. Went really well and I am super pleased with the results, especially going from manual drums. I think it is money really well spent. I've been wanting to do this for years.

There are a ton of posts on parts that can sourced through junk yards and parts stores, if you want to save some bucks. My time is limited, so I purchased the entire kit.

While I was in there, I did replace the ball joints and u joints, since I didn't know when the PO had done them last.

 

[savage]

I put the TBP disk brake kit on my 74 and was well worth it. Went together very well and good instructions. I've had this kit on for awhile, so back then it was a little cheaper.

 

[texbronc]

I'm running the TBP manual front disc kit and have been pleased. Install went smooth. I'm a fan of all the parts showing up in a box.

 

[stlo]

^^^^^^^ as stated all the stuff showing up in the box is worth it to me....our pull a parts around here all went to a core charge on every thing u took off and bought which I still don't understand .....so I said piss on em I would have got all used junk for almost the same price....toms kit is great and there no modify power brake kit is great as well...you won't be disappointed plus there kit uses SS flex outer lines instead of rubber....I went with the proportion valve as well which u should do if that kit doesn't come with it

 

[Pa PITT]

... I too used Junk Yard parts on mine so I got about $400.00 in mine. I too think using one of the vendors Stuff would be sweet. MOSTLY FOR THE CONVENIENCE.
... BUT I too say don't buy the Power Brake Booster.. Go with the Hydro Booster. 3 X The brakes.
... Now having said that ... Mine I only have the stock M/C on it. As my Disk are just that good. I don't even run a Proportioning valve . .. But the Hydro booster is the way to go.

 

[bubobronco]

Thanks for the feedback muskrat! Where did you get the parts for the ball joints and u-joints?

 

[Brewbro21]

I used Tom's kit about 10 years ago and couldn't be more pleased converted manual drums to front manual disks and what a difference. Such a huge difference I still have manual disks. I use it for my daily driver and it will lock them up if I need to. Just have to have the right Master cylinder

 

[TDubya]

One of the first and best upgrades I did to my 75 some 20 years ago. Going from manual drums to power disc made a huge difference for a daily driver. Hydroboost wasn't an option when I did mine, but I can't complain about the stopping power with the vacuum booster.

 

[Crainbow243]

I did a front disc conversion with hydroboost using a mix of new and used parts for around $450. At the very least, a hysroboost sytem is going to be a better power brake system than a vacuum booster.

What exactly is the difference?

Also can anyone direct me to a write-up on where/what parts to get to do this cheaper as you guys mentioned?

 

[phldwsnoc1]

My experience

As a technical professional, I installed kit 2430 last year with mixed results. The one item that was complete rubbish was the backing plates, which were dimensionally incorrect in so many ways as to be embarrassing. Toms did supply a second set that were marginally better, but the experience was unacceptable after paying retail for items that are safety related. I'll offer details on request. I hope your experience is better.

 

[Pa PITT]

..CrainBow 243 .. search my post .. I've wrote those numbers up about 50 times.
... But since I'm a very old fart. My computer skills are lacking just a bit. So all my no. is from memory because i was and old parts man..
.... & I DO disagree with the those that says you can use the later model stuff .. But some how they use it . To me all the spindles are too short or too big on the back big bearing.
... But i'LL GIVE another run from memory.
... SPINDLES. dana no. is 706528x... if you can find a new one... If Not .. GET 73 1/2 74 OR 75 1/2 .... also GET THE BACKING PLATES FROM THAT TRUCK. either a 1/2ton or a blazer or a submarine. of course all 4x4's .. Get the calipers if available but calipers are so cheap .. just trade in any caliper '' works most of the time''. But 74 4x4 calipers are only about 24.00 core is about 15.00 if you don't have something totrade in. I say use the cheapest D52 Disk Pads you can get. But if you must then use some High Dollar pads ... I like $7.00 PADS. THEY LAST FOR EVER & THEY DON'T SQUEAK. USE THE RUBBER CALIPER LINE FROM THE 74 BLAZER. .
... Wheel seal is a 4250S.. I USE THE sbk1 Spindle kit. . it has a needle bearing & 2 rubber seals in it . Napa's may have a 4th part in theirs. & that may be what someone said about using a SBK5. I NEVER SOLD THAT NO,, BUT . NAPA HAD A 4TH FIBER WASHER IN THEIRS ..
... YOU Then use the Hub & Rotor from a 1/2 ton ford tr. or Bronco . 1980 up to about 1986 .. My part no was 5492. .
.. Now the bearings are SET A45 & A37 . THEN THE LOCK NUT IF YOU NEED A NEW ONE IS D8TZ 1197A..that's the ford no. but Dorman makes them much cheaper..
............................
... use you locking hubs you have .if you want new ones get Warns... But the old orginals 66's brass ones are the best..
.... I just used no Proportion valve . NOT NEEDED. not even sure I still have the H Valve but I think I do.. Then ON too the Master Cylinder .. I still use the stock 1973 Bronco M/C With mine .. I don't know how you'd want better brakes.than I have.
.. I've got 5 Hydro Booster that I intended to add onto my Bronco . but when my brakes stopped with no effort.. I even looked at the Hydro as .. If I put it on .. I now have 3 or 4 P/S HOSES TO BUST OF LEAK . If I loose P/Steering then I loose my Brakes . Yes the Hydro will stand you on your nose.. But man my Bronco stops so good .. I'm happy.
.. Brake line from the M/C DOWN into the H Valve area .. I used Everco metal line because you can bend them without KINKING THEM... ask your part store .. I'm sure in the last 20 years there are better ones.

 

[Pa PITT]

... More if you new guys want some good info ..
..GO BACK INTO THE PAST & SEARCH UP .. member ''TOFIC''. The Old Fart In Canada . He was the best ever on hydro Brakes.. hE WAS ALWAYS GOING TO A WRECKING YARD & GETTING STUFF & ADDING IT TO HIS BRONCO. Man he was a pro.
.. There is another young member here That is also excellent . He's a Ford Tech.
Sorry I should known his handle but I'm coming up short tonight. Sorry Dude you know who you are ... SPEAK UP.

 

[dprio34]

Having just done this upgrade a few months ago, it is definitely worth it. You can hit the pause button with the vacuum or Hydroboost until your time and budget allow. Braking it much improved with just the front discs. I went with the WH kit and could not have been happier.

I would recommend buying all new stainless lines with the kit (Budget about $300 - 350 for those). If the previous owner/s didn't round off some ends at some point over the past 40 years, you probably will.

Also, I think the Warn Hubs was wasted money. I could have re-used the Ford Hubs. There was nothing a matter with mine. Check your axles and hubs prior to ordering. If your Hubs are tapped, it is my understanding you don't need the Warn Hubs and can stick with the stock Ford Equipment.

Otherwise, awesome upgrade.

 

[bubobronco]

Thanks for all the advice guys...I went back and forth on it but just pulled the trigger on ordering the TBP power front disc kit. Not cheap but I'm kinda in a time crunch to look for used parts....I like the fact that it's all new parts that are made to work together, selected by pro bronco jocks (not sure what that means) and made specific to the EB. We'll see how it turns out....