I just finished the disc brake conversion on the 9 inch rear in my 94 F150 project. I did it myself without buying a kit. I wanted to be able to go into any auto parts store and get replacement parts easy so that meant using factory parts. I decided to use rotors and caliper mount from a 79 F150 4x4 front and calipers and pads from a 78 T-bird. After removing the old drums and backing plate, I took the caliper mounting plate and cut a notch out of the bottom so it would slide over the axle tube. The rotor slides right over the axle. I put the rotor on and bolted the caliper in the mount so I could position it and weld it. After I was sure everthing was true I welded the mounting plate to the axle tube and ran the bolts for the axle flange through it. I did change the wheel studs to front studs from a 79 F150 because the gave the extra length I needed. It does lack a parking brake, but that doesn't bother me. It was a pretty easy and clean swap. Here are some pics.https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=21790

I'll put up better detailed pics later. Any questions, comments suggestions?

Tony

 

Probably saved yourself $800. Looks like time for transfer case parking brake.

 

Yup. And that will be home brewed too.

 

Way to go hombre!!! I really appreciate the job you did there. I don't know why so many people fall for the aftermarket pirates gimmicks when all it takes is some brain power and imagination. Maybe they don't have the confidence. I've been building cars since the sixties and we had to do everything in that way and it's gotten pretty rare.
Kudos.

Just an idea about the parking brake. Depending on your driveshaft configuration, you can bolt a small disk between u-joint flanges and rig up a cable operated caliper so you can lock your driveshaft using your regular parking brake.

 

I've been thinking about something like that for the parking brake. I've got an idea on making a cable oprated caliper and I've been looking close at the rotor on my oldest boy's dirtbike. Looks like I could re drill one and bolt it right behind the yoke. And keep the stock parking brake cable and pedal. Thanks for the compliments guys.

Tony

 

Yeah, use the largest dia disc you can, then it won't take a lot of caliper pressure to hold it solid.

 

Can you use the calipers and pads off of a 79 F150 4wd? im just wondering because i dotn have t bird calipers.

 

Sure. The only reason I used t bird calipers is because they have a larger piston.

 

Have you completed that parking brake yet?

 

I'm impressed Tony. Very nice job.

 

Thanks Andy. No I haven't got around to the parking brake yet. Call me lazy
As soon as I do, I'll post pics here. The discs are still working great. No problems yet.

 

With those giant calipers in the rear, you'll never have to worry about changing pads back there.

 

Tony, I'm very impressed with your conversion project. Nice job. Question: You stated "I decided to use rotors and caliper mount from a 79 F150 4x4 front and calipers and pads from a 78 T-bird." (later you said that all the parts could be used from the 79 4x4, you just used T-bird parts because the pistons were bigger.) Is there a difference between the 2 and 4 wheel drive parts? My project is a 2 wheel drive 79 F-100.
Thanks,
John

 

The 2wd rear is the same. You would still need to use the caliper mounting brackets, calipers and rotors for a 4x4 front end though.

 

additionally it has 28 spline axle not the 31 that most 4x4's have. Make any difference?