rear disc conversion
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 25
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rear disc conversion
hello all my great ford people. i currently use my truck as an undercover vehicle at work and i been working on performance all around to keep up until backup arrives. been posting on here looking for performance handling etc . now my ?? is has anyone on here done a rear disc conversion? if so what vehicle from the junk yard was used and all components and how complicated? right now im starting to get good speed and handling so i think i need to stop better and by the way to all the people that have helped me just let my know if i stop ya and ill let ya slide lol thanks everyone
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,052
Likes: 1
From: Jacksonville FL
Not worth the time or money IMO.
8.8 Ford Rear Disc Brake Kit
8.8" 1984-96 Disc Brake Conv.
brakes! - The National Lightning Owners Club Inc
There are quite a few threads on this conversion on NLOC if you would like to search.
8.8 Ford Rear Disc Brake Kit
8.8" 1984-96 Disc Brake Conv.
brakes! - The National Lightning Owners Club Inc
There are quite a few threads on this conversion on NLOC if you would like to search.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Rear disks would help immensely on some of these trucks, I know mine sure could use it. The Explorer rear disk setup is probably the easiest and cheapest to install, and as far as I can tell the only thing you would need to do is drill the rotors for the larger 5x5.5" bolt pattern, otherwise it's a direct bolt-on.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 17
From: Central Indiana
Rear discs?
Rear discs are really only effective for towing or heavy campers, to give that extra stopping power for 12k+ weight. Empty, drums are just fine, thank you.
Unloaded, the back brakes are mostly there to keep the truck straight and they provide maybe 20% at most of the braking power.
I would go with a performance brake linings on both ends and carefully turn the drums/rotors then carefully bed the brakes. My F250 with premium riveted linings can haul my truck down pretty easy so I know it has enough braking area for it's weight.
Just an opinion, mind you. YMMV.
Ray
Unloaded, the back brakes are mostly there to keep the truck straight and they provide maybe 20% at most of the braking power.
I would go with a performance brake linings on both ends and carefully turn the drums/rotors then carefully bed the brakes. My F250 with premium riveted linings can haul my truck down pretty easy so I know it has enough braking area for it's weight.
Just an opinion, mind you. YMMV.
Ray
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FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Problem is your truck has a much larger front brake system than a 1/2 ton truck so it's not really a fair comparison.
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Posting Guru
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 17
From: Central Indiana
Agreed
My 1/2 ton 1973 'Binder has the same linings and it's almost too easy to lock all four empty. Loaded to somewhere near full cap, it still stops well. Granted, it doesn't have RABS, though. In fact, it's kinda anti-anti lock brakes.
I still say you should try a premium lining, bedded in correctly first before doing a disc conversion.
Another thought would be to adapt a more powerful caliper to the front of an F150.
Ray
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Yeah.. I'd like to have those twin piston calipers from an F250 like yours.. along wth the larger rotors. The other thing I notice with my current extended cab truck is there is a lot more weight on the rear axle compared to the reg cab I had before, I think rear disks would benefit these larger body styles more than the regular cabs.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania Wilds
The biggest advantage I'd see to rear discs is that I don't like messing with drums. But that isn't worth it, since I don't use my brakes for all that much. Spend more time clutching than braking. All these hills here would eat brakes alive otherwise.
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 11,958
Likes: 228
I personally do not think a rear disc brake upgrade is really worth it. There is not much to be gained by it. If I could do it with Explorer parts for really cheap, I might consider it.
Here is a question though. If you have rear discs, then won't the RABS be disabled or not work correctly?
I agree, I don't like working on drum brakes that much either.
Here is a question though. If you have rear discs, then won't the RABS be disabled or not work correctly?
I agree, I don't like working on drum brakes that much either.
