Hi, got 66 with front drums and I want to economically convert them to disc brakes. Correct me if I'm wrong, but can't I just buy OEM stock disc rotors, caliper mounts, splash shields and install them on my existing spindle??
If so what's the appeal to the traditional granada swap?
The spindle is different form drum to disc, there is no caliper mounting bracket for drum spindles.
The Granada swap is 1. Cheap, 2. Very good brake setup for daily driver, 3. Fairly easy to find, 4. New rotors and calipers are DIRT cheap, 5. A genuine Ford part but pay attention to the rims you have, the disc hub center is bigger than some OEM ford wheels, did I mention it's cheap??
The price is why most do it you get the spindles from a junkyard the rest you should get new from a auto parts store.They are basicly the same brakes the 70-73 mustang uses.But if you use the oem spindles it will give you some bump stop sometimes worse then normal.But Csrp makes the spindles with that have the right steering and suspension geometry.But I'm more like you id rather buy wilwood or even the cobra brake kits over the granada swap.
The spindle is different form drum to disc, there is no caliper mounting bracket for drum spindles.
The Granada swap is 1. Cheap, 2. Very good brake setup for daily driver, 3. Fairly easy to find, 4. New rotors and calipers are DIRT cheap, 5. A genuine Ford part but pay attention to the rims you have, the disc hub center is bigger than some OEM ford wheels, did I mention it's cheap??
The spindle itself, from drum to disc is exactly the same, but you need to the caliper mounting bracket like you said in order for the conversion, correct? I know I can buy a pair of mounting brackets for $100 from NPD. If I got all the original OEM parts new I guess it would be around $600, so I see what your saying, granada probably is a lot cheaper but still there is the appeal to keep everything original.
Hello. People do the granada swap because it's cheap. The fact that they are pulling components of a system, which they will count on to save their life a dozen times on the way to the grocery store, out of a scrap yard doesn't seem to be an issue. It makes no sense to me, but that's just my opinion. Every time that I've ever converted front drums to discs I used all brand new stuff because, as I might have mentioned, this is a system that will be the difference between life and death. Forget about saving a couple of bucks when talking about brakes. If they fail and you keep on going when you should have stopped and get T-boned by a suburban, or run up under a slow moving train or something, what were you saving the money for? But, that's just me.
The people with the 64-66 inline 6 cars its almost a must but 67 up you can just change somethings.Yeah Veronica only things used would be the spindle and dust shield the rest you want new.But for 600 you could go with the cobra brakes if you got 17s to clear them.
Hi again. There is a variety of folks, like Stainless Steel Brake Corp., that make a kit which has everything you need to switch over to discs, and it's all brand new. Brakes are not something to cut corners on.
As this is going to be another hot topic my point is this, I am have used this converion in the past on cars and it worked as good as any factory equipped disc brake car I ever drove. The design and function of the Granada brakes is better than or equal to any mustang, fairmont, cougar, maverick .............. and very other ford built on that platform. I am no genius or officianado but no fool either. If my budget said $600-$700 then I would go with the granada setup from a yard from a car that was not smacked up front and convert from wild drum brakes with 150% confidence it was safe, cost effective and a great upgrade. I do not like usuing NPD/Mustangs unlimited/....
parts because 9 of 10 times the products are cheaply produeced foreign parts. Veronica - you are dead on the money - you money or your life.
The braking system on a Granada is engineered and built with high quality old steel, new rotors are $30 ea, new calipers are $20 ea, new hoses are $40 ea, new prportioning valve is $100. All of these cars use the SAME parts with little change in design or function, and as engineers did back then the parts were overbuilt because weight made little differrence that is why these parts are still here in circulation. Each one must use his own judgement, if using a junkyard item install new wear items, it only makes sense. These are strret car applications i am referrign to, track is another story completely.
Sorry - got off on a tangent there,
Spend a little or a lot -your choice but cost more does not always mean better part.
Hi again. It won't be a 'hot topic.' I don't do hot topics. Not here anyway. This forum is all about helping people get their car back up and running. I've also had cars that have had the Granada swap and had no problems with them, other than the way the original type Styled Steel wheels hit the Granada calipers and you have to use a small spacer to push the wheel out a bit. It's not that the Granada system was inferior in any way, or that there is something inherently dangerous about it, it's just a question of possibilities. I like my chances with all new stuff better than I do with stuff from a scrap yard when it comes to brakes. But, that's just me. I scare very easily. I certainly have no problem with poking around in a scrap yard. Scrap yards and swap meets and such are where I undergo most of my retail therapy. I can rummage around in a junk yard aaaaaaall day long and have a grand old time doing it. A person with experience and good judgment can come out of there with the Granada stuff and it will work out just fine. It's just that some don't have quite the keen eye that others might, and some love a dollar a little too much. That is why, when talking to someone that I know absolutely nothing about their background, I recommend going with brand new. That is something that I know will minimize the chances of mechanical failure resulting in injury or death.
Agreed, no hot topic because as you said this site is to better our "sport" as a whole.
I too like new stuff but my pocket does not always allow that so I look at the possibilites of using established designs and engineering.
Yes the granada hubs will interfere with older steel wheels and that is most certainly a drawback but one easily overcome.
To each his own, I am merely passing on my experience from what I have PERSONALLY done with the best of intentions to all out there to save them the headaches I encountered.
Not knowing ones' background is significant, but I feel if they are up to some knuckle bustin' then they can and will learn; however if upon seeing what is really involved are apprehensive then that even better because they will reseach more or enlist some help to accomplish the goal at hand.
Any way my friend you are very intellegent and in may ways your knowlege of these old cars far exceeds mine, I only respond to things I have done myself and will continue to learn from all the posts to this site.
Regards
Joe
Hi again. And, by all means, continue allowing us all to benefit from your experience. Nobody's right all of the time, and I am just as subject to say something retarded as the next person is. I have been fortunate enough to have had my hands a whole bunch of these cars, and, if I have seen something in the past that might help someone in the present, I'll throw it out there. Please feel free to do that, also. I am not even a little bit sensitive when it comes to opposing viewpoints. I believe in getting it right for the sake of the cars, not the egos of the drivers, mine included.
Ok , I just bought the Granada stuff and will be wire brushing everything and painting. All new Rotors & Calipers. BUT this bumpsteer thing has me a bit worried. How bad is it ? Anyway to reduce or eliminate this problem before i get too much invested here ?
Thanks Guys
I have used the Granada setup in 2- 68's 3-69's 2-70's and 4-71's and had no bumpsteer, in fact I did not have to touch the tierod adjustment, the spindles literally "dropped right in"
Why granada brake swap?? 
People do the granada swap because it's cheap. The fact that they are pulling components of a system, which they will count on to save their life a dozen times on the way to the grocery store, out of a scrap yard doesn't seem to be an issue. It makes no sense to me, but that's just my opinion. Every time that I've ever converted front drums to discs I used all brand new stuff because, as I might have mentioned, this is a system that will be the difference between life and death. Forget about saving a couple of bucks when talking about brakes. If they fail and you keep on going when you should have stopped and get T-boned by a suburban, or run up under a slow moving train or something, what were you saving the money for? But, that's just me.
I certainly have no problem with poking around in a scrap yard. Scrap yards and swap meets and such are where I undergo most of my retail therapy. I can rummage around in a junk yard aaaaaaall day long and have a grand old time doing it. 
A person with experience and good judgment can come out of there with the Granada stuff and it will work out just fine. It's just that some don't have quite the keen eye that others might, and some love a dollar a little too much. That is why, when talking to someone that I know absolutely nothing about their background, I recommend going with brand new. That is something that I know will minimize the chances of mechanical failure resulting in injury or death. 
