Rear Disc Brake Conversion Article

[sixty9santa]

I was looking into changing the rear drums to discs and but was most unwilling spend the mucho big coin on a conversion kit.
In my search, I've found this article:

www.mustangii.org/tech/tipsntricks/4wheeldisk/

[sixty9santa]

Here's another, which I find the best way to go:

www.mustangandfords.com/techarticles/127_0309_swap_it/lincoln_rear_disc_brakes.html

[sixty9santa]

So, to my understanding, if I were to install rear disc brakes, all I would have to get in a new master cylinder?

I ask this since I found out that 1996-2002 Crown Victoria rear disc breaks can be adapted to ford 8" or 9" differentials that have small diameter wheel bearing (2.835"), a rectangular flange bolt pattern of 2.00" by 3.33", a 2.42" axle hub diameter, and a 5 on 4.5" wheel pattern.

All that is needed are some spacers/shims and a slight need to modify the axle housing flanges so that the backing plates bolt up properly.

Once this is accomplished, 15" and up wheels will clear but 14" steel wheels will need a 5mm spacer.

[sixty9santa]

So it turns out that I do indeed have an 8.7" differential.
They have an 8.75" ring gear and 28 spline axles.
Now all I have to do is go out and measure the flange bolt pattern.

[sixty9santa]

Just got out from under the car, and my flange bolt pattern is indeed 2.00"x3.33", hub diameter being 2.775".
Just might work!?

[sixty9santa]

After comparing the differences between the old drums and the new Crown Vic rear Discs, I discovered that a 0.130", or a 130 thou, spacer is needed in order keep the axle bearing from backing out!

I edited this to add that the same bearing spacer is also needed for the conversion on 8" and 9" differentials as well.

Now all I need is a new master cylinder, Powertrax locker and to find some 3.50:1 gears.







Hummm, seems I'm the only one interested in a low buck yet efficient rear disc break conversion?

[hipogranada]

Problem - I don't think you'll find 3.50 gears for the 8.7". There's not much out there in parts for them and they were never offered factory with anything but high ratios (low numeric). That axle was only around for a few years.

Go take a look at the rear axle under a '95 to '01 Explorer. 8.8", standard disc brakes, an inch wider than the Granada axle and the OE gearsets in them are typically 3.25, 3.55 and 3.73, and a lot of them are Traction Lok. Easy to find too.

www.allfordmustangs.com/forums/classic-tech/124793-explorer-8-8-rear-end.html

If you find one, look at the tag bolted to the housing. It will ID the gearset and whether it's traction-lok or open. Example, a tag that says 3L55 would be a 3.55 with traction-lok. If it said 3-55 it would be 3.55 open.

Sept 24, 2008 14:05:13 GMT -5 sixty9santa said:

After comparing the differences between the old drums and the new Crown Vic rear Discs, I discovered that a 0.130", or a 130 thou, spacer is needed in order keep the axle bearing from backing out!

I edited this to add that the same bearing spacer is also needed for the conversion on 8" and 9" differentials as well.

Now all I need is a new master cylinder, Powertrax locker and to find some 3.50:1 gears.







Hummm, seems I'm the only one interested in a low buck yet efficient rear disc break conversion?

[sixty9santa]

I called a few places regarding Explorer differential, complete with brake system, and they are all between 550-600CDN with taxes in for a 1996 with trak-loc and 3.55 gearing..............pricey