Full width Ford 9 inch Rotors fitment

[sburnette]

I have a 1977 which has 1978 full width axles. The Disc brake conversion kit for the Ford 9 inch has rotors that will not fit over my flanges on my axles. The Axle flanges are 7 inch and the back side of the rotor is 6 inches. I have found several different ideas for solutions, but no really good answer. Has any one done a full width conversion with disc brakes on the rear? What did you do, or what conversion kit did you use?

 

[Broncobowsher]

I have an early 80's truck bed trailer with a full width 9". Pretty much the same thing as the '78 axle. Geo Tracker front disk brakes and made my own brackets.

The thing about the 9" is there are a countless different ways of doing it. Between the different axle ends, offsets, and bolt patterns. And the vast varity of available rotors and calipers. No park brake, park brake in hat, and park brake in caliper. So more options. Some can be done dirt cheap, others will cost.

 

[brewchief]

I used the 78-79 front rotor and "machined" the axles shafts down to fit them.

To "machine" them I jacked it up, put it in low 1st and while it idled used a 7" grinder to reduce to outside diameter. Took 15-20 minutes a side.

I did need a small spacer to fit over the wheel studs to prevent to rotor from moving, I used a simple weld on bracket from speedway motors and GM "metric" calipers. No parking brake but the metric caliper will interchange with the caddy calipers that have a parking brake.

I think the kits that have a parking brake in the center of the rotor are probably better but I think I was around 200$ all said and done.

 

[Prizefighter]

I used the 78-79 front rotor and "machined" the axles shafts down to fit them.

To "machine" them I jacked it up, put it in low 1st and while it idled used a 7" grinder to reduce to outside diameter. Took 15-20 minutes a side.

I used 79 CJ-5 rotors, wish I used the Ford 7879 stuff now.

I took both axle shafts and my rotor to the machine shop and told them I wanted this axle flange to fit inside this rotor. They made it happen. It cost me a whole lot more than the idle/grinder method but my Bronco wasn't assembled at the time so it didn't run.

 

[gddyap]

I think the kits that have a parking brake in the center of the rotor are probably better but I think I was around 200$ all said and done.

The explorer disc brakes with the drum parking brake aren't very good with big tires. The drum is very small and big tires just have too much leverage.

 

[Broncobowsher]

But the drum in hat park brake is still generally stronger than the park brake in the caliper setup.

Latest one I just saw is electric park brake built into the caliper. That was on a new Benz. I am sure those calipers are not cheap.

 

[sburnette]

Solution

After a lot of looking, I finally found what i need at Broncograveyard.com, The kit is manufactured by http://www.tsmmfg.com. I called the manufacturer and they say the rotors will fit with no modifications. Ordered the kit today, from Broncograveyard # 22334, 9" Rear Disc Brake Conversion Kit w/ 1/2" Studs No Hoses, 1/2 Studs. Made for Full size Bronco, thats what i need since i have full width axles on my 77.