Best rear disc conversion?

[kholding]

I did a search but couldn't find a thread that had enough information about this. I am buying a set of '76 F150 axles today for a full width swap in the future. I was looking into converting the rear to disc for ease of maintenance. What is the easiest swap to disc and also what seems to be the best performing swap? I have several good junkyards in town and have no problems pulling from donor vehicles (would prefer it to save some $$$). Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Biggest factor, do you want a park brake or not? If not there are a bunch of cheap options. With has more limited options.

 

[Steve83]

"Best" is a very subjective term. What characteristics do you want? Easy to swap is pretty much the opposite of best performance. Ease-of-maintenance to me means being able to walk into any parts store & buy what I need. So by that measure, the '04-up E150 rear disk is what I'm aiming for. It requires 16" rims/tires, but I've already made that switch. For an eB, the "best" is probably an Explorer/Mountaineer 8.8" w/factory disks, but you have to change the lug pattern.

. .

 

[68rockcrawler]

You can have my cadillac rear disk brake setup so I can go back to drums. This is one of the disc options to keep a parking brake. I have heard a ton of people say they have problems setting up this parking brake so that it works and I agree. I have spent hours working on it and following all of the directions for setting them up properly but cannot get the parking brake to work.

On the other other hand, if you don't care about a parking brake these disks work great along with my hydroboost.

 

[68ford]

i throw this out there because the guy was super cool to me and builds awesome stuff.
depending on your budget, but by the time you by a complete full width and then a brake conversion and lines etc etc.

if you went this route, you would have every part brand new besides your 3rd member and full floater at the same time.

http://www.9inchfloater.com/CompleteRrEnd/CmplteRrEnd_28_31.htm
probably would end up being more, but i like the idea of everything new and the full floater is really nice if you ever brake and axle shaft.

 

[kholding]

Wow, lots of good info. So the explorer 8.8 is another good choice? There were TONS of explorers at the junkyard! Is it expensive to change the lug pattern on those?

 

[garberz]

You can have my cadillac rear disk brake setup so I can go back to drums. This is one of the disc options to keep a parking brake. I have heard a ton of people say they have problems setting up this parking brake so that it works and I agree. I have spent hours working on it and following all of the directions for setting them up properly but cannot get the parking brake to work.

On the other other hand, if you don't care about a parking brake these disks work great along with my hydroboost.

I'm working on one right now with this Caddy, CJ7 disk set up. The parking brake is very difficult to work with. With as little work as the rear does, I'll stick with my drums, simple and trouble free.

 

[bblue]

I would guess you would lay out and drill the bronco bolt pattern I am wondering what gears came in the explorers.

 

[rjlougee]

I would guess you would lay out and drill the bronco bolt pattern I am wondering what gears came in the explorers.

You can get them stock in 3.50, 3.73 and 4.10 pretty easy. If you're not running BIG tires, then the stock 31 spline axles can hold up pretty well. Also, if you like the electric locker, it's available for the 8.8.

I'm in the process of building a 5x5.5" 8.8 for an EB now. The 4.10 geared axle was about $250, the new rotors were about $150 from Currie and redrilling the bolt pattern was $60 at the local place. We went with screw in wheel studs and they were another $50 or so.

I like the Explorer setup.
Joe

 

[fordguy]

how does the width on the 8.8 compare to the stock axle. i can pick up explorer rear ends pretty reasonable.

 

[kholding]

I can't believe how many people are for sticking with the drums! Just got the axles yesterday, the truck had been sitting for a bit so there is surface rust on both axles, but not too bad overall. I'm going to have to pull them apart to see how bad they really are. The guy gave me the PS box as well for $25! Thinking about converting it and keeping it as a spare or posting in the classifieds.

 

[kholding]

'68Ford, looked at that website. Doesn't seem like that bad of a deal after you add up everything to fix up a stock 9". Not really sure the direction I am going to go now with all the new info. Thanks again everyone.

 

[KennyB]

I bought B.C. Broncos kit because the Caliper Bracket is One Piece. it went together with NO ISSUES....................

 

[JohnT]

I also went with BC bronco kit with no issues , With hydroboost as well . As got the BC bronco e brake cables

 

[VT_Don]

What's the verdict on this option?
http://www.fordracingpartsdirect.com/FORD_RACING_5_LUG_REAR_DISC_BRAKE_KIT_p/m-2300-g2.htm

 

[Steve83]

What's the verdict on this option?

Rotors feature the common 5-hole, 4.5" diameter passenger car bolt pattern with 2.780" center hub

%)

Verdict = more expensive & no better than a JY Explorer rear disk swap. It's probably stock Explorer parts.

 

[brewchief]

I used weld on caliper brakets from speedway motors, GM calipers and rotors for a 78 bronco. The calipers, pads and rotors are parts that any parts store will have, depending on which GM calipers you use you can end up with the same parts that are used with the chevy brake conversion that has been used on broncos for many years.
Down side is no parking brake, you can use the caddy calipers if you want a parking brake but it's not the greatest setup.

I plan on a transfer case mounted disc and mech caliper in the future for a parking brake.

 

[RustyShackelfor]

Since steve brought it up, I have been told E series rear axle stuff will not work with truck stuff.

 

[kholding]

Is the E-brake a deal breaker for everyone? I rarely use mine in my daily driver. Is it a necessity for the EB?

 

[68ford]

mine never worked for the 1st 8 years, for the last 2 i no longer have one. should i have had one the whole time? probably. have i ever needed one? no. should i install one? probably. are there any plans in the near future to install one? no