F150 Rear Brakes

[.94 OR]

Can I use the rear brakes from a newer F150 on the factory Bronco housing to get larger rear brakes? My concern is the axle offset difference to keep the shoes in the drum correctly.

I have opportunities to pick up rear axles periodically and thought I could increase my braking surface if this is possible. I imagine I would need to swap the backing plate, mechanisms with shoes and the drums over.

 

[Apogee]

Different housing ends, different brake/axle offsets, different wheel patterns...not going to say it's not possible, but there's a lot going against it at first glance. If you've got the skills and tools, almost nothing is impossible.

 

[.94 OR]

As in newer, I meant 80's-90's vintage. Not the '97 and newer.

 

[Apogee]

AFAIK, there were no rear disc options on the F/E-150 applications prior to 1996 or 1997, they were all drum. There's been some chatter about the 1996-2007 E150 rear discs, since the vans were slower to go to the metric wheel pattern, but I haven't ever put much research into them given their relative obscurity.

 

[Steve83]

No.

 

[Broncobowsher]

There is a possible E150 (van) rear disk brake with the correct bolt pattern.
Housing (bearing) ends and offset are not looking like a match.

 

[.94 OR]

No.

Where is the 1/2" additional width made up on the newer brakes?

 

[needabronco]

Larger Drums. You could always go with Explorer disk brakes. They require some modification but not impossible.

 

[Steve83]

Where is the 1/2" additional width made up on the newer brakes?

I believe it's all axle stickout, but if someone measures his eB's 9", and you measure the later axle, we can find out for sure. %) I'd measure one, but I don't have a spare axle right now, and both my trucks are on their tires.