96 E150

Been searching and searching and it seems that the only real upgrade is to sell the E150 and buy a E250+

But since that isn't an option, I'm wondering if anyone is running hawk pads on their e150 and if there is a rotor upgrade from OEM that is less prone to warp.

Hawk has 3 part numbers for these E150s and I'm not sure which to get. E-mailed them with no response.

What is a true upgraded pad + rotors?

 

I had Hawk HPS on my 2000 E150 and loved them. They are expensive but I think they are worth it. For rotors I used Auto Store brand without issues.

On the ,new to me, 2010 I put plain pads thinking that the bigger brake will be fine with normal pads and I regret it.

 

Whats the part number on yours?

1996 is the same as 2000 right?

 

This is what I bought. you should be able to check if it fits your year

 

Rotors rarely warp
usually, it's just pad build up
spend your money on good pads

 

It fits and going to order them. I don't think they are expensive at all.

I wish there was a caliper + Rotor upgrade for the older E150s

 

A rear disc conversion would produce the biggest braking gains, I believe parts from an '05/'06 E150 are a direct bolt-on.

 

 

Searched for a write up and there are none that I can find.

Is there a write up on it here?

 

These seem like a bolt on solution:

Rear Disc Brake Kit, 8.8 1980-96 F150 Fullsize Bronco E150 to 2006 Conversion Ford

 

I don't think there is a write up on a Van swap specifically but it's the same 8.8 axle as found in the f150 of this vintage so installation would be the same. The kit referenced above is the same as what is available at Bronco Graveyard and a few other places, it bolts on but it uses GM calipers.. it'll work but the e-brake requires some adaptation to mate with the Ford cables. The Explorer also got rear discs and uses the 8.8 so parts are available from those.. only catch is the rotors have to be redrilled for the larger bolt pattern used in fullsize trucks, and as mentioned earlier these vans got rear discs in the mid 2k's and that includes a couple years of the E150 with the same 8.8 axle.
.

 

front brakes do 80% of the work
I'd deal with the front first

 

Don’t waste your time and energy and money re engineering the back brakes.
Just buy a PowerStop kit for all four wheels and go enjoy it.

 

I think for the price of that brake kit, you could just put a salvaged 250 rear end in.

 

He has an E150. To swap to a e250 or E350 he will need wheels (5 hole to 8) and a front end if he doesn't want to use two different types of wheels.

Upgrading the pads made a substantial difference for me. Unless you carry a lot of weight (you shouldn't on a 1/2 ton van), front brakes will carry most of the stopping as Vettex2 mentioned.