Disc Brake Conversion?
The Pacifier
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,245
Likes: 7
From: Cloverdale, BC
There used to be a mod among Mustang drivers years ago (early 90's) where they would get brake parts for a station wagon. The idea was it was cheaper than rear disc brakes, but the bigger drums and shoes helped stop better than the stock parts.
Otherwise, there's always the trusty Ford Racing catalog.
Otherwise, there's always the trusty Ford Racing catalog.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Red Wing, MN
The 7.5 refers to the ring gear diameter. The other Ranger rear has a 8.8" diameter ring gear. But these have nothing to do with stopping. Rangers came with two different size drum brakes, 9"x1.75" and 10"x2.5". If you have the 7.5" rear you most likely have the 9" drums. You should be able to swap on the 10" drums. Get everything, drums, backing plates, etc. Should be pretty cheap at a salvage yard. In fact, if you find an 8.8" with the same gear ratio as your 7.5" you could just swap the whole rearend out.
Greg
Greg
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
I know I read about the FX4 Level II rear end swap on TRS that said it would give me the 10" drums, limited slip and would be a 31 spline 8.8. So Ive decided to start looking around for a wrecked LII which I think might be a bit hard to find. What do I need to look at to determine wherter it has 3.73 gears and in fact does have the limited slip?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
Ken, so since i have an extended cab(SC) it means i already have 10" drums? In that case will the discs help me to stop easier? It seems that since going from 235's to 32's my stopping distance doubled. I even have new pads all around and new cylinders in the rear.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,562
Likes: 4
From: South Jersey
The drums should be marked, I can see it through the holes in my rims.
I've never read up on the increase in stopping distance due to larger tires but an increase does make sense. Since the rear brakes only contribute about 20% of the braking, even a large increase in the rear braking would be minimal. Maybe better fronts would be a better choice.
Anyone else have any thoughts on this issue??
I've never read up on the increase in stopping distance due to larger tires but an increase does make sense. Since the rear brakes only contribute about 20% of the braking, even a large increase in the rear braking would be minimal. Maybe better fronts would be a better choice.
Anyone else have any thoughts on this issue??
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 649
Likes: 1
From: north carolina
well i believe you have serveral options actually, you can do a rear disc conversion, swap rear ends altogether, or get a brake bias controller. i think summit sells them for like 40 dollars or so. with this you can change the ratio of front to rear braking. stock i believe is 60/40. 60% front brakes 40% rear or it could be 70/30 but the controller lets you change this to 50/50 or what ever you want. but i would get disc brakes they stop more efficiant than drums. but the bias controller may help. something to look into
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 8,462
Likes: 4
From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
80/20 is stock. You don't want your backs locking up before or with your fronts. It's set at 80/20 for a reason. The difference between drums and discs is negligible in the end on the rear. That topic has been beaten to death on this forum. Do a search.
For the price, you are burning the money. If you insist on doing it for show-off purposes, find a wrecked Explorer with rear discs and take the rear end.
The rear diff should have a small metal peice attached to the far right bolt looking from the rear. Mine has two rows of letters and numbers. On the bottom row it will say your ratio. Mine says 3 08 for a 3.08 diff.
Also, on the inside of the door, there will be a tag, RD or DIFF should be stamped on it, and it should say under it I believe 308 for 3.08s or 3L08 for 3.08 Limited Slip. You prolly don't have 3.08s, just my truck and my reference.
For the price, you are burning the money. If you insist on doing it for show-off purposes, find a wrecked Explorer with rear discs and take the rear end.
The rear diff should have a small metal peice attached to the far right bolt looking from the rear. Mine has two rows of letters and numbers. On the bottom row it will say your ratio. Mine says 3 08 for a 3.08 diff.
Also, on the inside of the door, there will be a tag, RD or DIFF should be stamped on it, and it should say under it I believe 308 for 3.08s or 3L08 for 3.08 Limited Slip. You prolly don't have 3.08s, just my truck and my reference.
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