Rear Disc Brakes?
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Elder User
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 977
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Rear Disc Brakes?
Hey guys,
Curious question. I have skimmed the posts and articles and such about doing the disc brake conversion, but it seems like it only deals with the front brakes. Did I just overlook something or is the conversion only possible with the front end brakes? Just wondering.
-j.banks-
Curious question. I have skimmed the posts and articles and such about doing the disc brake conversion, but it seems like it only deals with the front brakes. Did I just overlook something or is the conversion only possible with the front end brakes? Just wondering.
-j.banks-
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Rear Disc Brakes?
JD, I guess since Ford didn't offer rear discs the info is limited. I am aware of a setup using combo parts to make it work. I have changed my mind on the subject, and might try it one day. Shoot me a mail to my address below, and give me a couple o days and hopefully I can find some info that I have from one of our NCFTO members for the parts needed. 
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John
jowilker email me
[link:www.ford-trucks.com/users/jowilker|My Club FTE Page] Member since 01 01
[link:www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker/NCFTE.html|NCFTO] North Carolina Ford Truck Owners Group
In the cool still quiet of night, you can hear chevies rusting away.
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John
jowilker email me
[link:www.ford-trucks.com/users/jowilker|My Club FTE Page] Member since 01 01
[link:www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker/NCFTE.html|NCFTO] North Carolina Ford Truck Owners Group
In the cool still quiet of night, you can hear chevies rusting away.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Rear Disc Brakes?
I have done the front disk conversion on my 67 1/2 ton. I used a complete front suspension from a 77 model and bolted it in. The stamped steel radius arms are a little lighter than the older cast iron ones. If you are going to do this swap and want even better stopping you can use lincoln calipers. The front calipers off a 77 full size car with the 4 wheel disc option have bigger pistons than the truck calipers. If my memory is correct the truck piston is about 2.9" diameter and the car is around 3.1" diameter. It provides a noticable increase in stopping power. These calipers bolt on with one modification.The brake hose attachment is a little different. The trucks use a block with a banjo bolt at the caliper. The area around the banjo bolthole must be machined flat to use the truck hoses.The cars use a hose that actually threads directly into the caliper.I put the car calipers in the mill and machined a flat. If this is all confusing just go to the parts store and look at both parts side by side. It will be self explanatory.The thread size and pitch is identical.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Rear Disc Brakes?
The rear disc brake conversion is rather complicated but works well. You will need to decide how much you want to spend and this will be determined by your resources and abilities to fabricate and modify a few parts.The method that I used on my truck is nearly all stock components and cheap. My truck is running a 9-3/8" ford rear which is a little different than the standard 9" ford rear. With the complete 4 wheel disc setup on my 67 shortbed I can stop 60-0 in around 140' consistently. These figures are base on using a "g-tech" meter. Test conditions are dry rough concrete 80 degrees with 255-70-15 tires.My truck weighs around 4200 lbs.This is without locking up or losing control of course.The two drawbacks are increased rolling resistance and extra weight.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 3
From: central Alberta
Rear Disc Brakes?
I'm sure I've seen kits available for the rear disc swap. Check out the fte store as well as the classic truck magazines for sources. In the mid seventies, the big LTD wagons had a rear disc option. You'd have to check the width and add leaf spring perches but it might be something to check out.
