[pzatchok]

I'm starting a 55 ford and I was wondering what kind of modern power steering box I can be used to replace the old one? I've heard that a 70's/80's Fairmont/Grenada box would work.

And also I'm having trouble finding a cheap set of four wheel disk brakes to replace the drums on it. I can find the adapters just fine. But since I've never done this one before could I use four matching brakes from two front disc set ups? With the appropriate master cylinder and proportioning valves of course.

[pzatchok]

Found the brake info I needed. I can't use front disk for back disk. I forgot about parking brakes.
Found drum to disk swap kits for '45 to '64 fords. Along with spindle drops.

[farna]

You CAN use front calipers on the back, but as you mentioned -- no park brake. The fix for that is to use a manual caliper on a thin rotor that mounts on the axle. The rotors and bolts to the yoke with the u-joint bolts, caliper bracket to axle. Hot rod shops sell them. If you use a solid rotor for the rear, you can mount the caliper to one wheel. One should work well with a limited slip axle, otherwise you'd need two.

[pzatchok]

Thanks for that trick idea.
I've found out though that almost any disk brake set will work. As long as the disk fits my lug pattern and I can get the caliper to line up with the disk straight and secure.

Any ideas on power stearing setups that wouldn't take much work. I'd rather not use the factory unit I have now since it needs rebuilt anyways.

[DrChop]

that Ford pickups of the Seventies have a box that mounts up pretty similar to what you have. Not sure about a Pitman arm tho.

Also not sure about steering clearance issues, I know for sure a power box would NOT work in my '54 with the Caddy motor swapped in, the stock manual box barely fits...

Doc

[kdpape]

I'm working on the same year Ford. What did you end up using for the steering and disk brakes and where did you get them. Are you going to have you replaced the rear end? I'm in the process of using a 9" Ford, it does require some machine work.
Karl

[poncho62]

Originally posted by pzatchok
I'm starting a 55 ford and I was wondering what kind of modern power steering box I can be used to replace the old one? I've heard that a 70's/80's Fairmont/Grenada box would work.

.

Don.t know about the Grenada, but the Faimont uses rack and pinion steering.

[KULTULZ]

-THIS- is the neatest upgrade I have seen. It is a modified SAGINAW Integral P/S box and sheds the old SAGINAW Non-Integral System. It is pricey...but depends on how far you want to go I guess. I have seen a changeover using a CAVALIER rack. I am sorry, I just cannot bring myself to repeat GM changeovers in public.

As for your front brake swap, it sounds like you found the standard GRANADA swap. Another good source is 1973/79 FORD intermediate changeover (including spindles).

For the rear, I prefer the FOX LINCOLN MARK discs. The changeover brackets are readily available and requires a 9" upgrade for the fifty-five.