Rear disk swap
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 550
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
Why waste the money to only get 10% of use out of something
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
Then why do new trucks come with rear disc? Not really a wate of money if you figure the OP is gonna be at least $100 deep when he needs to buy all new stuff any how.
Rear disc is worth it every time. The front may do 90% of the stopping but increasing rear brake efficiency will improve stop times and brake life.
Rear disc is worth it every time. The front may do 90% of the stopping but increasing rear brake efficiency will improve stop times and brake life.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,690
Likes: 32
From: Delhi, Iowa
Explorer swaps will work ... it's also the exact same setup on 92-up crown vic rears. If you research bolt on 9" rear brake setups, most will fit, because the 9" big bearing axles use the same flange as a 8.8" axle.
I'm going to try to retrofit a set of 97-up rear discs onto my 95 ... the biggest issue with that is it requires 16" or larger ... but that clears JUST FINE in my 17x9" wheels ...
The setup that smokin' is using is a popular setup, it uses the Eldorado calipers, if you dont need a parking brake, you can use calipers off the front of an 88 Chevy s10... they fit identically ...
I'm going to try to retrofit a set of 97-up rear discs onto my 95 ... the biggest issue with that is it requires 16" or larger ... but that clears JUST FINE in my 17x9" wheels ...
The setup that smokin' is using is a popular setup, it uses the Eldorado calipers, if you dont need a parking brake, you can use calipers off the front of an 88 Chevy s10... they fit identically ...
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,008
Likes: 7
From: Austin, TX
I was up in the air between the Explorer discs and the TSM kit. I ended up going with the TSM kit b/c of simplicity and I don't have a lathe laying around, so I would have been paying someone to do the machining. I wish I could remember where I saw the full write up on the Explorer rear discs. I think it might have been Ryan McCormick that did the write up.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
I was up in the air between the Explorer discs and the TSM kit. I ended up going with the TSM kit b/c of simplicity and I don't have a lathe laying around, so I would have been paying someone to do the machining. I wish I could remember where I saw the full write up on the Explorer rear discs. I think it might have been Ryan McCormick that did the write up.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 10,008
Likes: 7
From: Austin, TX
That is why I was considering the Explorer swap. In the end I just didn't have the right tools for the job, so I went the bolt on route and am happy with it.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,690
Likes: 32
From: Delhi, Iowa
Most figures say the fronts do approx 65-75% of braking ... not 90%
I don't see the point in running rear disc setups on trucks like my F350 4 door longbox, my daily driver 87 F150, or any of my 4x4's. The factory drum setups are all in working order. On the two trucks that i go autocorssing with, my 89S10 and my 95 F150, i see the rear discs as a valuable setup. The bigger, the better is the name of the game with autocrossing, and thats why im going with the larger 99 F150 setup on the rears, and Corvette 13" disc brakes on the rear of my S10.
If i bought a new old truck, pulled the rear drums apart, and found a sloppy mess that would require replacement of EVERYTHING, i would price out the factory drum replacement parts, price out the disc brake conversion, and weigh the options.
Something to consider, if you do a rear disc setup, you'll need to change or modify your proportioning valve ...
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
For me its no question, i have the lathe and the mill. And a buddy parting out his 97 explorer. And a 220k truck that is coming home saturday with a leaking axle seal. All lines up perfectly for a disc swap. I need to replace the seals, bearings and brakes anyhow. Seems like a good time to do it. Figure i'll have about $150 after everything is done. Yes its more then shoes and drums, but not much.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
Most figures say the fronts do approx 65-75% of braking ... not 90%
I don't see the point in running rear disc setups on trucks like my F350 4 door longbox, my daily driver 87 F150, or any of my 4x4's. The factory drum setups are all in working order. On the two trucks that i go autocorssing with, my 89S10 and my 95 F150, i see the rear discs as a valuable setup. The bigger, the better is the name of the game with autocrossing, and thats why im going with the larger 99 F150 setup on the rears, and Corvette 13" disc brakes on the rear of my S10.
If i bought a new old truck, pulled the rear drums apart, and found a sloppy mess that would require replacement of EVERYTHING, i would price out the factory drum replacement parts, price out the disc brake conversion, and weigh the options.
Something to consider, if you do a rear disc setup, you'll need to change or modify your proportioning valve ...
I don't see the point in running rear disc setups on trucks like my F350 4 door longbox, my daily driver 87 F150, or any of my 4x4's. The factory drum setups are all in working order. On the two trucks that i go autocorssing with, my 89S10 and my 95 F150, i see the rear discs as a valuable setup. The bigger, the better is the name of the game with autocrossing, and thats why im going with the larger 99 F150 setup on the rears, and Corvette 13" disc brakes on the rear of my S10.
If i bought a new old truck, pulled the rear drums apart, and found a sloppy mess that would require replacement of EVERYTHING, i would price out the factory drum replacement parts, price out the disc brake conversion, and weigh the options.
Something to consider, if you do a rear disc setup, you'll need to change or modify your proportioning valve ...
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,690
Likes: 32
From: Delhi, Iowa
I've used them, it's nice. If you're using a FACTORY disc brake swap, get the prop valve from whatever the rear brakes came off of ... Aftermarket setups, use the adj prop valve ...
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 8,843
Likes: 27
From: Eastern Ky
Might I suggest the 8.8" rearend from a 1995 Crown Vic?
IIRC, they have the rear disks....For 1 yr, and again, I-I-R-C....And SHOULD have the width part pretty much dead on....Only differences would be the car is a 28 spline axle, and the truck is a 31....
And the small fact it, like the Explorer, has the 4.5'' Bolt pattern...
IIRC, they have the rear disks....For 1 yr, and again, I-I-R-C....And SHOULD have the width part pretty much dead on....Only differences would be the car is a 28 spline axle, and the truck is a 31....
And the small fact it, like the Explorer, has the 4.5'' Bolt pattern...
Thread Starter
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,635
Likes: 3
From: Lansdale, PA
You guys need to reread some of the posts... We said we were going to remachine the correct bolt pattern into the explorer rotors. We never said we were trying to bolt the explorer rear axle into our trucks.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 8,843
Likes: 27
From: Eastern Ky
I have no #'s to go on, besides the spline count, and the bolt patterns..
