I thought the 1997 Explorers used the 16-17" wheels?

 

just because they had bigger wheels didnt mean bigger brakes.

 

I know THAT.....I just was meaning that the CV's used the rear disks in 1995, and a 15" wheel.....nothing in reference to brake size....Just saying...

 

oh ok ... sorry to get pissy, my fellow straight sixer ...

 

No harm no foul....I was'nt getting Mad....Just frustrated at myself, because I can't explain my way outta a wet paper bag.....

But it's all good!

Edit-Sorry for the misunderstanding.....And thanks.....

 

either way ... nice hood!!!! I love mine!

 

Few things to mention, drums have more stopping force than disks of the same size.
The reason new trucks have disks is that disks are more predictable than drums and less likely to lock up unexpectedly.
Disks do dissipate heat faster. And disks are beneficial if you're going to dunk the brakes in water or mud. But for towing drums are better. Hence the reason that when I'm hauling if I have to stand on the brakes the rear locks and the front doesn't.
Another thing, since everyone compares to the new trucks for brakes, Why does my truck stop considerably faster than my fathers truck? My truck; 92 F250 Diesel, none of the paper work that came with the truck mentioned anything about the brakes (although it did mention every oil change), I have owned it for the last 46,000 miles and have only replaced some brake lines and the master cylinder it now has 163,xxx on it. My dads truck; 05 F250 5.4L gas, 42,000 miles total, 3rd set of brakes on it, he has owned it since it had 6500 on it.
His truck has 300lbs on mine yet I can stop from 70 faster than his can stop from 60, his truck is also 5" longer than mine.
If disks truly were better than he should stop faster than me.
P.S. by stop faster from 70 than his can from 60 I mean 3-4 truck lengths (we tested this on a bet).

 

My truck(08) stops far better then my fathers 01, I have avoided some accidents by a pretty narrow margin that I dont think I could do in his truck. Mine is an 08 CC LB, his is a 01 CC SB. My 00 Dually stopped FAR better then my 89F150 did.I had nearly 150k miles on the rear factory pads
Not that only that I had issues with the rear brakes overheating and catching fire on the f150. I replaced every part and they would still get very hot.

And I dont think drums have more stopping force of discs the same size, if that were the case mustang guys would have no reason to upgrade to rear disc, but they do, cause drums suck at stopping and suck at back to back braking. Disc is superior plain and simple.

 

towing, i 'd go drums in a heartbeat ... i totally agree ...

however, take a look at my truck right above this post. The most it's gonna tow is NOTHING, it barely hauls a spare tire and groceries. It's becoming a race car with a bed, that i tend to drive on sunny days. While i will agree, the factory drums on the rear will probably outwork the explorer disc swap, i just plan on running the largest rotors i can stuff into my 17" wheels and then letting them dissipate the heat quicker as i work the truck through the twisties...

But, as i stated in an earlier post, i wouldn't do the disc swap on my daily driver. My drums work just fine ...

 

I think we can all agree to disagree then, i'd do the swap on my DD in a heart beat. Brake fade will be far less with disc then drum. Drum might have more friction surface but the disc will have more clamping force. I know im my case, there is a pretty good chance they will get wet, plus being in LA you never know when i'll have to lock em down repetitively cause some of jackass in a prius.

 

For the use in your truck (braking for the turns) then I'll agree that disks are a good idea. BTW is/was it a lightning or are you just building a race truck?

You are correct on the brake fade, because of the heat dissipation capabilities of disks.

 

Just a regular ol F150 ... there may be a Lightning component or two in there tho ...

 

My truck stops quite a bit better after the rear disc swap than it ever did with drums that I can remember. Then again it does have all brand new everything as far as the brakes go except the master cylinder and brake booster. Anyways, I did it b/c I am tired of working on drum brakes, keeping them adjusted correctly, and the truck will go through some pretty deep mud and water, so the brakes will get wet. No chance I'll ever switch back to drums again...

 

Can you expand on this or provide a link to more info?
After potato chipping my third set of rotors I think more rotor is the solution to my late braking habit

Edit: Found it finally. http://www.nloc.net/vbforum/gen-1-li...brake-kit.html


So the explorer can be used for its 3.73 gear, maybe the LSD, and the rear discs. Sounds like a worthwhile score at the jy