Question for those who have done the Explorer rear disc conversion

[jamesroney]

Gotta love that username...

 

[wsager]

@jamesroney Hey, I wouldn’t change to the 8.8. I was just trying to understand the previous post.

 

[toddz69]

OK...I didn't know that installing an Explorer 8.8 was in the mix. So thanks for making that clear. If you are going to install an explorer 8.8 under an early bronco, then you have much bigger issues than I can help with.

(To take the legendary Ford 9 inch, the strongest, lightest, and universally agreed best rear axle ever put into a passenger car, and replace it with a c-clip 8.8 is beyond my ability to comprehend.)

It is worth re-iterating that there are 4 housing ends on the 9 inch, and 4 brake offsets.
1. 66-75 Big Bearing, big bolt. (2 inch offset)
2. 76-77 Big Bearing, big bolt. (2.36 inch offset)
3. 73-75 Big Bearing small bolt. (2.5 inch offset, "medium duty," "Torino")
4. 66-75 Small Bearing, small bolt. (2.2 inch, and nobody cares.)

If you happen to have type 3...the bolt spacing is exact match for the explorer pattern, the brake offset is an exact match for the explorer, but the retainer needs to accommodate the thicker disc brake caliper mount bracket. If you have any other type...then it is not.

Dang - learned something new today - I didn't realize the 66-75 big bearings had a 2.0" offset. I thought they were all 2 3/8".

Todd Z.

 

[jamesroney]

Dang - learned something new today - I didn't realize the 66-75 big bearings had a 2.0" offset. I thought they were all 2 3/8".

Todd Z.

...and while we are in learning mode, it's important to know that the 5x5.5 lug pattern when coupled with the extra thick flanges on some aftermarket axles causes the heads of the wheel studs to interfere with the parking brake shoe provision on the Wilwood pro-series solution. Evidently, Wilwood does not know this, because they sell the kit for the 2.36 brake offset. Wouldn't be a problem with a 2.5 brake offset. Don't ask me how I know this, but I can send pics.

So now I'm tempted to build a new rear disc conversion for the big bearing Ford and the Ram 1500 disc using Jeep JL backplates. Will have to run a 17 inch wheel...stay tuned.

 

[toddz69]

...and while we are in learning mode, it's important to know that the 5x5.5 lug pattern when coupled with the extra thick flanges on some aftermarket axles causes the heads of the wheel studs to interfere with the parking brake shoe provision on the Wilwood pro-series solution. Evidently, Wilwood does not know this, because they sell the kit for the 2.36 brake offset. Wouldn't be a problem with a 2.5 brake offset. Don't ask me how I know this, but I can send pics.

So now I'm tempted to build a new rear disc conversion for the big bearing Ford and the Ram 1500 disc using Jeep JL backplates. Will have to run a 17 inch wheel...stay tuned.

Send some pics of the brake bits/studs interference and please help me visualize how all those bits fit together....

Todd Z.

 

[jamesroney]

Send some pics of the brake bits/studs interference and please help me visualize how all those bits fit together....

Todd Z.

So here’s some pics. You can see where the parking shoes have been running in the drum / hat. If you imagine adding th thickness of a forged axle, you can see where the stud would end up.

This was running in a 1979 Bronco 9 inch in a Jeep TJ. The previous owner removed the head of the stud and ground them down almost flush with the back of the axle. Way too scary for me..

A simple 2.5 brake offset would fix it. But 2.36 doesn’t work. If you ran 5x4.5 lugs, or 5x5…no problem.

 

[Viperwolf1]

Here are some measurements I had from a number of years ago.

 

[toddz69]

So here’s some pics. You can see where the parking shoes have been running in the drum / hat. If you imagine adding th thickness of a forged axle, you can see where the stud would end up.

This was running in a 1979 Bronco 9 inch in a Jeep TJ. The previous owner removed the head of the stud and ground them down almost flush with the back of the axle. Way too scary for me..

A simple 2.5 brake offset would fix it. But 2.36 doesn’t work. If you ran 5x4.5 lugs, or 5x5…no problem.

Got it! That helps with the visuals a great deal.

Thanks,
Todd Z.