Common disk brake rear swaps

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Jan 8, 2004 | 10:05 AM

svooom

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From: Rochester, NY, USA

Common disk brake rear swaps

What are some of the most common disk brake rear ends that can be swapped into classic trucks. I've heard of 80's Lincolns, 90's Crown Vics, and 80's Thunderbirds. Are there any others that would do the job?

Jan 8, 2004 | 11:34 AM

Jag Red 54

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From: Valley Center, CA

My 54 has a disk brake rearend out of a 78 Lincoln Versaille. I have heard that the maybe the cougar used them on soem models. Good luck, John

Jan 8, 2004 | 05:36 PM

ferguson777

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For a 53 - 56 F100 -

" 1989 – 2001 - Ford Explorer – 59 ¼ - ½” flange to flange.
All explorer rear ends are the same 5 on 4 ½” bolt pattern.
8.8” rear end - come with 3.25, 3.55, 3.73 and 4.11 gears.
89-94 = drum brakes only.
94-97 = drum or disc. brakes
97-01 = disc. Brakes only
Can use an 8” rim with 3 ½” backspacing and P235/75R-15 tires"

Should be fairly common in wrecking yards now.

Later,

Jan 8, 2004 | 07:45 PM

ozzie 1

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I used a 8.8 diff from a 99 Explorer. It has 3.73 posi, the parking brake cable would be easy to adapte to, and there are lots of these around now. The width is also very close to the stock diff.
There are lots of ratios as Fergson mentioned. Ozzie

Feb 11, 2004 | 02:40 PM

svooom

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From: Rochester, NY, USA

How much should I expect to pay for a disc rear?

I made some calls today and the yards around me want over $450 for an Explorer disc rear. I almost choked. Are these things gold plated or something? Would I be better off looking at some other vehicle? Thanks

Feb 11, 2004 | 03:11 PM

Jag Red 54

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From: Valley Center, CA

A friend just bought a disk 9" out of a thunderbird. (at least I think he said thunderbird) He paid $140. For CA, that sounds about right. I think that the prices are going up as people horde the available inventory then resell at a huge profit.

John

Feb 11, 2004 | 03:25 PM

truckbuff

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From: Columbus, ohio

Brad, you might also check Ford Rangers, the have used both the 8.8" and 7.5" rear ends. Part of the problem you are running into is the Explorer rear end with disc brakes is pretty much still a late model & still on the road so you have to compete with body shops and all the guys upgrading Rangers & Jeeps.

Still the $450 sounds way too high unless it is in excellent shape & ready to use, I've seen new Ford surplus rear ends on ebay for around $600.

Be careful too, on my 99 Explorer the rear end mounts on top of the leaf springs. That's easy to fix, but you don't want to buy a 'good' rear end & then tear it apart.