Explorer Discs on my 8"?

[golf4283]

Ok I have an 8 inch out of a 70 fastback ready to go into my car but I just need to get the brakes done. I was originally trying to go the 8.8" explorer route but have changed my mind. I still have the backing plates and all the brake equip for the explorer discs and heard that this can be swapped into the rear end. My question is what do I need to make this work (if it will at all)? This would be way easier than buying something off of ebay and waiting since I already have most of the equipment. Thanks guys.

 

[thehueypilot]

I put the explorer disc brakes on my 68 w/9" rear end and my 93 with a 9" rearend and I have had no issues with either. They work great and the e-brake actually works on both cars using the OEM hardware and cables and brake lines.

 

[D.Hearne]

The Explorer backing plate bolt pattern is larger than the 8" bearing ends. There's probably not enough meat in the backing plates to drill the smaller pattern. I did this on the 8.8 in my Ranger and it did not work well. The backing plates kept working loose. A better swap would probably be a set of 90's Crown Vic discs, they have a smaller bolt pattern, closer, if not the same as an 8" pattern.

 

[golf4283]

would thise be a direct bolt in then? I am really looking for something that is straight forward and also not going to break the bank.

 

[D.Hearne]

I can't tell you that it is, but the Vic discs are a closer match for an 8". Plus there's thousands of them cluttering up the yards with all the cop car's being retired.

 

[96 DOHC Cobra]

The Crown Vic parts are pretty much a bolt-on. They have the right pattern for the backing plates. I think you will have to use adapters for the flex lines to connect them to your hard line. You'll also have to come up with something for the E-brake cables.

 

[jbuening]

Crown Vic rear brakes need a spacer but i'm not exactly sure why. Found this out on other forums and a guy on Ebay that sells these rear crown vic discs says you need one and he makes them for $30. FYI

 

[yeloxr7]

I think the spacer is needed to center the rotor in the axle flange. It makes up the difference between the outer diameter of the "button" in the center of the flange and the inner diameter of the center hole in the rotor.

 

[jbuening]

Yep, that does sound familiar. Thanks for the clarification and i wanted to point that out in case people weren't aware of the need for the spacer.

 

[pdh098]

spacer

Crown Vic rear brakes need a spacer to space the bearing out
The backing plates is thicker. I put them on my 66.

 

[ultrastang]

Mustang Rear Disc Conversion

Another possiblity is to use the rear discs from the SN-95 V6/GT or SN-95 Cobra Mustangs (1994-2004).

This is a vey easy swap. Parts are availble from the wrecking yards, or brand new from Ford or the aftermarket. --Just depends on if you want wrecking yard parts, or all brand new parts.

1. SN-95 V6/GT 10-1/2" solid rotor design: http://www.ultrastang.com/Ultrainfo.asp?Page_ID=17

2. SN-95 Cobra 11.65" ventilated rotor design: http://www.ultrastang.com/Ultrainfo.asp?Page_ID=18

3. Conversion brackets: http://www.ultrastang.com/Ultrainfo.asp?Page_ID=20.