1966 econoline van

does anyone know of a disc brake conversion for these vans, or what the spindles cross to?  

yes there is a bolt on kit. contact Dennis at:  dennis@dddiscbrakes.com . Tell him Mike Cook (Vanishing Breed) sent you. He also has a very nice dual master cylinder kit which I recommend since you have a stock single bowl.  
Mike Cook
Vice President
Inland Vans Berdoo
2008 Route 66 Hall of Fame Inductee

Here is a pic of the front disc brakes I mentioned in the above post:


Wilwood makes a bolt on kit for the 9" rear:







I have these kits on my red 1966 Econoline , Vanishing Breed that you can see in readers rides  
Mike Cook
Vice President
Inland Vans Berdoo
2008 Route 66 Hall of Fame Inductee

Thanks mike, Dennis got back to me. Nice pictures - what do you think about swapping in an 8.8" rearend out of an Explorer? The little rearend in my van is junk and wouldn't hold up to the to the h.o. mustang motor I installed.  

The only rear end that fits our Econos are the 9" rears that came stock on them. You have what we call a "peanut" rear end and you are right it won't hold up. The bronco rear end you are talking about is longer than the rear for your Econo and would stick out to far. If you go to http://vintage-vans.forumotion.com/index.htm  there are some people there that have a few of the 9" rears that you need.  
Mike Cook
Vice President
Inland Vans Berdoo
2008 Route 66 Hall of Fame Inductee

mike,
will you be leaving the front stock drum brakes?  

I have discs front and rear on Vanishing Breed. The first pic is of the front disc brakes I got from Dennis in Oregon.  
Mike Cook
Vice President
Inland Vans Berdoo
2008 Route 66 Hall of Fame Inductee

I hate to dissagree with you but the rearend that came out of my Econo was 62" and the Ranger I got an 8.8" out of was only 59". Explorers are 61" and have disc brakes. Also many of them have lockers and some really good gear ratios. I think it's a good alternative since 9"s are getting harder to find.