The F3 rear drums are not available that I can find. I can find the rest of the parts. I can do a conversion to another year but I am thinking why? With how expensive these parts are getting I am thinking of getting a newer model rearend and calling it done. If I can get an explorer rear end with disks, how hard are they to get adjusted to the correct angle. I can rebuild a motor but have never done any custom rear axle work before. Will the U-Joints work or do I need something custom the sticky does not say.
I can find the front also but they are going to cost me $160.00 for the drums, then another $80.00 for the wheel cylinders. Then another $60.00 for brake shoes. So for $300.00 I can have new front drum brakes. So why would I not put disk front brakes on and a newer rearend with disks? I can order disks with whatever pattern I want. I just want to be done with the brakes and move on.

 

The only thing you have to do to adjust pinion angle is to cut off the spring perches and weld new ones on in the right place. A $5 magnetic angle finder makes the job really easy.

An explorer axle is pretty weak for a 1 ton truck, plan on bending the tubes if you use anywhere near the full load capacity. They use the 8.8 in the back of V6 F150's and it's not enough axle for that application.

 

Thanks Chuck I am not using the truck as a work truck it is just what I could find at the time and the price wasn't to bad either. I found a 98 explorer with a 3.73 and POSI for 350.00 that would have rear disc.

 

If you decide to get rid of your current axles, let me know. I want to swap to an 8 lug pattern instead of the 6 on 7.25 that my F350 has

 

What pieces are you looking for? My current plan is to pull the rear and and put the Explorer under it so I would have a complete rearend. Remeber the 1950 rear drums are not readily available. Then put a matching disk brake conversion on the front. I am using the front axle and spindles.
I found a 1998 Explorer disc rearend with posi for $250.00. I know rear disk are not needed but I figure if I am going to switch might as well go for it. Not to mention disk are easier to work on.

 

The whole rear axle and front hubs. I don't care about the drums. I've done a few custom disc brake conversions on Dana 44's and Dana 60's. Takes some messing around but it's not a big deal.

 

Where are you looking for the parts? I redid my 1952 F2 brakes, with everything new except the drums for $300, both axles. It was like $30 a piece for new wheel cylinders. I rebuilt my master, hoses were like $15 a piece, and shoes were like $30...all ordered from my local parts guy. Drums are rare for the front of '52, but I'm not using it that much, a turned them a little and the truck stops on a dime....

 

Napa, Western Auto , Bumper to Bumper, Dennis Carpenter, Joblot Automotive, Carquest, Car-Co Auto parts, Kanter Automotive, and Checker AutoPart.

 

Old Jeep I don't think you would want that axle. It's not a dana it's a timken. If you put alot of HP through it you'll blow it.