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Disc Swap Worth It?

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Old Nov 2, 2021 | 12:04 PM
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Disc Swap Worth It?

The rear drums on my 99 F150 have been a piece of work since I got it. The axle flange was bent and damaged two pairs of drums. Got the first pair resurfaced and ready to put on now that my new axle shaft is in.

However, I'm going to be building a rear end soon with 3.73 gears and limited slip. I'm curious as to whether swapping to disc rear is worth it or not?
 
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Old Nov 2, 2021 | 05:38 PM
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Usually not. They are plenty of brake for a pickup, and incorporate an effective parking brake which can also act as an effective emergency brake.

Disc brake parking brakes use, in most cases, small shoes in a drum that makes the rotor look like a "hat". These are too small to be of use in an emergency, and half the time are ineffective for parking as well.
 
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Old Nov 2, 2021 | 07:02 PM
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Originally Posted by 85e150
Usually not. They are plenty of brake for a pickup, and incorporate an effective parking brake which can also act as an effective emergency brake.

Disc brake parking brakes use, in most cases, small shoes in a drum that makes the rotor look like a "hat". These are too small to be of use in an emergency, and half the time are ineffective for parking as well.
Excellent point. I think once I get my brakes done now that I've replaced my axle shaft, I'll be alot happier.

I used to own a 2010 F150 that had disc all around and that had really nice stopping power. I think those have larger rotors/calipers, though.
 
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Old Nov 3, 2021 | 12:00 PM
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Sure, go for it. It’s not a terribly difficult swap for what it is, being that (I believe...) 4x4s has discs that year and by mid-2000, XL models finally got them.

I’m not sure how available parts are for these drums, but I had to send a gopher to about a half-dozen stores to do my old Ranger’s drums. What a mess.
 
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Old Nov 3, 2021 | 01:48 PM
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Originally Posted by Johnny Paycheck
Sure, go for it. It’s not a terribly difficult swap for what it is, being that (I believe...) 4x4s has discs that year and by mid-2000, XL models finally got them.

I’m not sure how available parts are for these drums, but I had to send a gopher to about a half-dozen stores to do my old Ranger’s drums. What a mess.
The only manufacturer that makes correctly sized shoes for these pre 2000 F150s is Motorcraft. My first try was with a name brand (don't remember which one) but they are all apparently .30" too large for the drums.

Do the disc rear ends use a speed sensor in the differential housing, or do they use the ABS sensor on the disc backing plates? If they also use the speed sensor in the housing, then that portion will swap right over.
 
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