few pics of my explorer rear disc brake setup

BlueMonster65

Founding Member
Feb 24, 2001
385
0
16
Connecticut
thought i share this. the explorer rear disc brakes are cheap, decent and have a parking brake setup that i really like. however it is a bit of a challenge to install them on a early mustang. the tabs for the flex hoses needed to be welded to the housing, and i relocated the main flex hose to clear the 3" exhaust. then made the lines to connect the junction block to the flex lines. i am also changing to a floor mounted lokar e-brake, since the OE setup is not so good.
here ya go:
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i have been tripping over a set of explorer brakes in my garage for about 5 years and need to put them on.

are you running drums in the rear? if so its worth it to slap them on, but you'll hafta change a few things. the parking brake is different so at the very least you'll need need the clevis adaptor kit. and you'll need a proportioning valve if you don' have one already. i thought about using used parts but honestly getting them for 350 bucks new changed my mind. most exploders in yards around here have ridiculously high milage so it kinda wasn't worth it.
 
Awsome! Thanks for the thoughtfully complete list of parts needed. Can you reuse the original drum brake E-brake lines that attach to the brakes? It looks like you used something new, maybe Lokar? I wonder if there are any stainless/braided lines available to go to the calipers also?
David.
 
Awsome! Thanks for the thoughtfully complete list of parts needed. Can you reuse the original drum brake E-brake lines that attach to the brakes? It looks like you used something new, maybe Lokar? I wonder if there are any stainless/braided lines available to go to the calipers also?
David.


i used lokar cables, you might be able to reuse the existing cables with the use of the clevis adaptors, but i am changing to a floor mounted ebrake so i elected to change the cables. honestly there probably are stainless flex lines, i have a few extras from the front and all i need is a 10mm banjo bolt to -3an adaptor. i believe Earls makes one. there are fittings avail so you can make your own lines too. this is something i might look into doing in the future. for the moment since the rubber lines came in the kit i decided to use them.
 
I bought a complete Exploder rear disk setup for $60. The yards around here are probly as good as any anywhere else, you just have to have patience and wait for one with new rear brakes. They come along pretty regularly, so its not a long wait ususally. Anyway, looks good, hope they work good too!
 
are you running drums in the rear? if so its worth it to slap them on, but you'll hafta change a few things. the parking brake is different so at the very least you'll need need the clevis adaptor kit. and you'll need a proportioning valve if you don' have one already. i thought about using used parts but honestly getting them for 350 bucks new changed my mind. most exploders in yards around here have ridiculously high milage so it kinda wasn't worth it.
Yep, I got drums still.Back when i worked at the dealer, i was able to to get a few complete rear ends with under 1000 miles for warranty issues. I gave 2 away and kept one for myself.I have no proportioning valve or e-brake,the cables dragged and got damaged.So they just bolt on to a stock 8"
 
i'm not sure if they'l bolt right up to a stock 8". i got a 9" new from KAM Performance and he built it with the ends to be used with the exploder brakes. pretty sure the housing ends are different than the stock 8". the kit specs. are on provided on the FRPP link i put in a previous post. i'd take a few measurements before making the swap, just to be certain.
 
i'm not sure if they'l bolt right up to a stock 8". i got a 9" new from KAM Performance and he built it with the ends to be used with the exploder brakes. pretty sure the housing ends are different than the stock 8". the kit specs. are on provided on the FRPP link i put in a previous post. i'd take a few measurements before making the swap, just to be certain.

Its my understanding that the Crown Vic disk swap is basically a bolt on for the small bearing rear ends (8" and early/small car 9") and the Explorer brakes fit the big bearing rear ends.
 
I have been thinking about doing the Crown Vic swap for the rear and when I look on eBay i see there is some guy selling spacers to help center the rotor, are these needed? I see some of these kits don't have the spacers, and I would think the lugs would keep the rotor in place ok.
 
Its my understanding that the Crown Vic disk swap is basically a bolt on for the small bearing rear ends (8" and early/small 9") and the Explorer brakes fit the big bearing rear ends.

Right you are! The Explorer brakes are supposed to be a great upgrade for those running a Versailles rear also with their much better E-brake setup. I, too, will be checking out the Crown Vic setup.
David.