I ran across this on 'Ol Skool Rodz and saved the email I was sent,There are some good pics of the conversion using a 8" in a '53 Ford.The adapter kit is less than $80 shipped and uses all available over the counter parts.If you are interested send me a pm WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS and I will forward it to you.The guy that has these is on several other sites but quit posting on the main board because of too much flaming and BS,I have invited Him to come here and be treated decent as we don't tolerate that rude behavior here.
I'm anxious to see these kits because I am a real believer in rear wheel disc brakes...when they are properly balanced with front discs and used on vehicles which require more rear braking then properly functioning rear drums can provide. The problem comes when larger than necessary rear discs are installed and not properly balanced to intentionally reduce their braking power to match that of the fronts under full panic stop conditions. Too often an installation is tested at, like, 45 miles per hour with the driver modulating the pedal so as to prevent rear wheel lockup. So far, so good. Everything seems fine under controlled conditions so further testing and adjusting is not done. Full panic stops are hard on the car and most of us avoid them if possible... The problem comes when the driver encounters a deer in the road at 80...and finds himself hopelessly crossed up when the rear wheels lock up long before the fronts. He's f**ked at that point, no matter what he does. I am excited by the prospect of a kit which will adapt good discs to the stock rear end. This will appeal to lots of us who have already upgraded to front discs and who feel the stock rear drums just aren't getting the job done. Hopefully this supplier will have done some real-world testing on his conversion and provides detailed instructions on what parts to use and how to go about adjusting and balancing the rear wheel braking so as to avoid a potentially dangerous situation. To illustrate my point, do a search on "residual pressure valves" and "adjustable proportioning valves" on the main board. You'll find entry after entry where the guy doesn't know which line goes to which port, much less whether or not the master cylinder he's using has a built-in residual pressure valve or not, or if he might actually need an adjustable proportioning valve...or even what they do. It's frightening. No, I'm not just being pissy. I've seen this situation several times and heard about it countless more times. Imbalanced brakes can be a killer, and all too often the driver doesn't even know how much danger he's in until it's too late.
Names Harry and I'm in Michigan. I did this conversion on a 53 Mainline. I got the brackets from choppintops on OSR - He has an ad there http://olskoolrodz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51759 He also sells them on EPay The calipers are Front GM - Raybestos FRC 4125 and FRC 4126 - I got a loaded set of these for $75 You can also use Raybestos RC 6033 and RC 6034 if you want parking brakes The rotors Raybestos 6001 I also replaced my rear bearings @$50 each but still the whole conversion was less then $300 and that's including the rear bearings The brackets come powder-coated black It was an easy conversion except for my wanting to run my 14" slots - I just had to machine a little off the top of the calipers - makes them a non-returnable core, but this doesn't need to be done if you're running 15" wheels. Will fit all 8" and all small bearing 9" rear ends. Tell choppintops I sent you and I might get a referral fee!
I've just read the ad and this sure looks like a great setup. I like the way it's being marketed: as an adapter kit which uses owner-supplied calipers and fasteners which can be found at any parts store. It can also use calipers with emergency brake capability...a very important point if your car must p*** inspection! Darn. I just finished rebuilding the drum brakes on the 8" Maverick rear end under my Victoria, which I call "Always Something". Once again her name rings true...
Is anybody doing anything besides changing out the front to an IFS, or the datsun converson to get front disc?
Ascent, you can do the granada brake swap to get front disc on the car. I ordered a complete kit from AutoCityCl***ic.com or you can get one from ABSPowerbrakes.com as well.
ascenttm: Is anybody doing anything besides changing out the front to an IFS, or the datsun converson to get front disc? Depends on the year and model of car you are asking about. I don't think either of these is a real popular way of getting discs on a '52-'56 Ford car. The stub frame MII clip has its followers and there are a few other, less popular conversions, but most owners opt for one version or other of the Granada disc option. Your best bet is to follow up on some of the suggestions made on this site as to manufacturers and see what they offer. Some will be appropriate to your application, and some won't. You can usually just google the company name and get to their site quickly. Then, once you've selected one or two which appeal to you, you can ask about them on this board. Chances are you'll get some very good feedback. Datsun? I don't think so...
OlDawg The picture is a stock 8" in a 53 The brackets fit all 8" and most small bearing 9" You can also use the 9" rear from a late 70's to early 90's Mercury Monarch - Ford Granada or a Lincoln Vesalius I wanted to keep my 53 8" so I used these brackets.
just for a little info , for the guys who have a local pull your own yard or access to such stuff . the late model disk brackets off any thing with an 8.8 rear diff. like the lincolns, explorers, mustang's, will bolt right onto a 9 inch ford . there for if the 9 inch and 8 inch are the same it too will work . calipers unloaded are about 25ea. and rotors about the same . i bought a complete explorere disk rear axle with springs just in case , from pull a part in knoxville for less the 200 with tax . im just going to put the whole thing in mine . since someone already put a ranger rear in mine already before i got it . the diffrence in a ranger rear is its over slung springs instead of under slung springs .
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