Topic: Convert to newer Disc Brakes

[LesAlbin]

What would be involved in converting a '72 Pinto with front discs to '74 calipers and discs?

[Wittsend]

The first answer would be MONEY. Since you got no replies I took a cursory view. Kits seem to range from about $800-$2,500. In a post on another Forum someone mentioned that the earlier spindles were smaller. Oddly the kits show 71-80 Pinto so maybe they include a new spindle??? Be aware that a lot of the kits upgrade to the 5 bolt pattern. Also a lot of these kits are for drag car brakes that are thin rotors and likely not conducive to everyday driving. Both are something to be on the look for.

My personal recollection is that there are Ford factory parts that the swap can be done with. But off hand I don't have a list. I also remember people saying the whole (welded in) cross member had to be swapped??? Everyone wants the early, thin bumper Pinto, but there was a story on this site where someone had a later 74 Pinto and they swapped over the earlier body parts and it seemed easier than working around the brake/steering rack issues of an early Pinto. Sorry I can't be more help.

[65ShelbyClone]

What would be involved in converting a '72 Pinto with front discs to '74 calipers and discs?

To do it right, welding-in a '74-80 crossmember.
I modified some '74-80 Chevy caliper conversion brackets to work on my car with 11" rotors. It necessitated a five lug conversion and 14"+ wheels though.

[rob289c]

If you are going to weld in a 74-80 crossmember, you may want to consider using a Speedway or Heidt's crossmember.  Their aftermarket parts will bolt up to their crossmembers with less modification and hassle than using the stock 74-80 crossmember.  I had some issues with Speedway parts with my stock 80 crossmember. 

[65ShelbyClone]

That's an interesting option I didn't know about. The Speedway Mustang II crossmembers are only $340, although they don't have universal options like Heidts does. I was going to pull the crossmember out of a '77 parts car I had in order to upgrade my '72 with MII-compatible parts, but determined it was going to be a bigger project than I wanted at the time. I still have all the bolt-on suspension parts, though, so maybe an aftermarket one is still in the cards...

[rob289c]

I bought a whole Speedway front end kit for my project.  I told the sales rep I was using a STOCK  1980 Pinto crossmember and he suggested I get the kit with tubular lower control arms that eliminated the strut rods.  I won't get into all the gory details but that option didn't work with the factory cross member.  If you are going to  get the aftermarket crossmember, you will have plenty of options for control arms, steering rack, springs, brakes, etc.  The kit comes with GM style, floating caliper front disc brakes.  For the $$$ it is a good value.