I currently have a stock 1962 Ranchero: 170 ci engine, 3 on-the-floor. The brakes stink, particularly when wet, and the engine smokes. I believe 64-65 Mustang aftermarket parts would fit, but a guy here suggested that I get a mid-70s Granada as a donor car for the disk brakes, 200 ci engine, suspension pieces, & so on. This would save me a bunch of money, if true.

Unfortunately I suspect a 200 ci with a 4 or 5 speed will be impossible to find. (Actually I'd like a 302 ci w/ T-5 transmission but I'm told a V-8 would be too heavy for the current suspension.) There are running Granadas (Monarchs, Fairlanes, Comets, Mavericks, Torinos, Montegos) out there still, although most are V-8s with automatic transmissions. I want to replace the transmission in any case, and I'm not completely opposed to an automatic with a floor shifter but, of course, I have the standard clutch floor pedal already installed.

I know I'm going to have to do some cutting & welding, but I'd like to keep that to a minimum. Aftermarket parts okay.

Suggestions please! Thank you!

you can get the granada/ monarch 4spd which is a close cousin to the toploader 4spd, or it's close cousin, the SROD ( single rail over drive ) both will bolt to your 170 6 3spd bell housing that you have.

A` 200 will bolt right to your clutch, bell housing, and tranny, so that isnt a problem. Not sure if the Granada disk brakes will adapt to your Ranchero.......anyone else know?

If you go the 302 route, Falcons had the v8 starting in 63.........Those suspension parts are probably the same as yours...maybe just heavier springs.

__________________
Home Handyman Forum I Shade Tree Mechanic Forum

That's a great suggestion, but I suspect that such a transmission would be hard to find. They were probably rare to begin with, compared to automatics and standard 3 speeds. (?)

The 62 through 64 Falcons all appear to be the same, so you are probably right about that, but I heard the spindles are also heavier for the V-8 and who knows what else? I'm still researching. This vintage had 4 lug wheels, Then in '65, I think, they went to the 5 lugs wheels. But the '70s Mavericks had the 4 lug wheels again! My '62 has 4 lug wheels.

My main interest, at this point, is disk brakes. I've seen aftermarket upgrade kits, but I don't want to run 5 lug wheels in the front and 4 lug wheels in the bacK, and if I go to a V-8, I'll probably have to replace the rear-end anyway!

That seem to be the deciding issue then: if I have to go to 5 lug wheels in order to get the disk brakes, I may as well go all of the way and get a 302!

I've seen aftermarket disk-brake kits for Mustangs with 5 lug wheels which might fit, but no 4 lug. Any junkyard stuff that fits the 4 lug?

The Falcons and Mavericks with sixes had 4-lug wheels
the v-8 versions had the 5-bolt versions.

Bryan

the granada disck brake spindal swap will require tie rod adaptors from www.discbrakeswap.com the pre '64 " Roundbody's " had a diffrent tie rod thread. Granada's up until 1980, had 5 lug 6 or 8cyl, and a 8" 5 lug rear, which will bolt in place of your 7 1/4". but you might as well anyway. just find a junkyard with a 200 I6 Granada, and transfer everything over to your Ranchero, you will also want to grab the Granada proportioning valve.

if you go to a 302 V8, you will need a V8 radiator, and you will need to find frame pedestals for the engine.

the granada/ monarch 4spds are not very rare, the Srods are a little odd. contact www.dvap.com if you really want a manual, they probably got 1 ( they deal with mostly pre 1980's stuff and specialize in classics ), and they ship. I just ordered a '78 Ford 250 I6 cyl head from them, cost me $150.

And if ever in Phoenix----Take a trip out to Deer Valley Auto Parts!!!!!!!
They got a LOT of neat old STUFF out there.

Carefree Hiway (AZ 78 ) and interstate 17

They had a bunch of neat ol crap even when they were closer to town.
I lived there in the 80's

Bryan

I had a 62 Falcon Ranchero years ago with a 302 3-speed on the floor. I believe the guy that built it used a V8 Maverick as the drivetrain source. It had the V8 5 lug wheels all around and was a very fast and fun car to drive.

The second car I owned was a '70 Maverick with a 170" - I6, and "3 on the tree" shifter. It ran 4 lug wheels. About the same time a friend of mine had a '75 or '76 (I'm not really sure of the year - it had the shock absorbing bumpers) with a 250" - I6 and automatic. It had 5 lug wheels and front disk brakes.

I really don't know if this is any help or not, but I fugured I'd toss it out there. Dunno if the track width of the Maverick is anything like the Falcon or not.

Years later I had a long wheelbase E-350 Econoline van with a 300" - I6 and a toploader 4 speed - shifter on the floor. I loved that thing and hated to see it go. With the aftermarket cruise control set at 65, it got 22 MPG on the highway, and had enough torque in 1st gear to danged near climb a tree. I still have a lot of respect for that engine.

Dusty

I'll keep my eyes peeled for a 200 ci Granada donor car, then. It sounds like Maverick parts will also fit. I suspect that it would be a good idea to replace my current rear-end in any case, because of the self-adjusting brakes.

Granada evolved from the Maverick. your '62 rear end could be converted to self adjusting brakes by getting a self adjusting kit for it, just all the self adjuster parts for a later '65 up rear

So, I presume self-adjusting brakes came out in '65 then. It certainly would be easier to install a brake kit than swap the rear-end plus I won't have to worry about the width of the rear-end fitting under the car! Thanks.

You seem to know quite a bit about this subject. As long as I am looking for donor car(s) anyway, can you give me any advice about finding & installing AC? I was thinking compressor & condenser off a donor, and after-market inside box with controls. Good idea? Bad idea?

Yes, it appears that 200 ci had the 4 lug wheels. Anything bigger had the 5 lug wheels. Because they were heavier, I suppose. Mileage vs performance.