Technical Nine inch disc brakes

I am comtiplating putting disc brakes on a 5x5 1/2 pattern nine inch. What is the best way to do this? Is there any way to use some stock parts? I would like bolt on, but have no problem welding on the housing, if necessary. Pros? Cons? What have you done to accomplish this?




Bones

 

I did a Google on “9 inch Ford disc brake kits”. Many, many options.
Summit has a Wilwood kit for 1080, speedway has a kit under 400. Also several other places as well.
Some times just easier to purchase a kit, than fab something up from not readily available stuff in a wrecking yard anymore.

 

Best bang-for-your buck IMO.... Ford 9 Inch Rear Explorer Disc Brake Kit With Shoe Style Park Brake (quickperformance.com)
Available in 5-on-5.5 bolt pattern too!

 

Outstanding! Less than $500 for a disc brakes set up! Has anyone here purchased this kit! Reviews?




Bones

 

Yeah, that was kinda the reason for this post, a lot of different kits, but also some are for 4.5 x5 only. I was hoping for a kit that would put stock Ford calipers on the rear end! I know the rotor probably won’t be a stock unit.

Then, of course, how do you adjust them to work with the front disc brakes.

Bones

 

Bones, I bought this kit. I haven't installed it yet, but don't see any issues there. The only 'funky' thing is you need to ream the backing plate holes some to get it to bolt up if you stay with the larger backing plate bolts Ford used on the older axles. It uses OEM Explorer calipers, and doesn't have those calipers with the lever on them for the park brake. Use two p***enger-side Explorer brake hoses to plumb it, you'll need to weld two threaded tabs to the housing for the hoses. Looks like the OEM e-brake cables will hook up with a cable link. Do check the register size on your axles before ordering.

This a copy of the kit Ford Motorsport used to sell but discontinued. You could probably home-brew this with junkyard parts, but why when you can get this ready to install?

I bought bolt-on Wilwood 4-piston discs for the front, a bit more than the cheaper OEM-style kits, but on my heavy '60 'vert I want good brakes.

 

Another possible option is to adapt the '97-'04 F150 disc brakes. The pattern is metric so would have to drill the rotors but that's not a big deal. It has the same axle end dimension as the 80s'-90's. It may also require at least 16" wheels

I have read that the flange pattern might be different but have seen nothing to confirm or deny that.

 

Anything made in America?

 

Great! Since this is on a back burner project…..maybe I will see how it works out for you!
I was thinking of going with the 3 inch drum brakes, but got to thinking I could probably go disc for about the same money….and have better wet weather operation!



Bones

 

I had a ‘94 F150 4x4, so might be the difference, but it was 6-lug.

 

What are you putting this on ?

You were talking about doing 3" drums and decided disc so is this thing really heavy ? Or is there no front brakes on it?

Usually when talking brakes this big its trucks with tow packages and the big brakes needed for the added weight of a trailer...


..

 

Proportioning valve.

 

Can’t really mention what I going to be putting it on, but it does have four wheel drive and resembles a .
The reason for leaning to disc is for wet operation. Wet shoes turn the brake system into a stoplight switch only! The nine inch came with three inch brakes on some applications, that is why I:was thinking about that! Since I am going to have to buy new axles I would be able to use 3 inch brakes, I think! With mostly stock parts.
I know folks here are real knowledgeable about the 9 inch rear end!




Bones

 

3" drums ? From what?

 

It’s 99-04, 97,98 & early 99’s we’re still rear drums.

 

Bones best bang for your buck is Explorer stuff , only need to redrill the rotor , axle is the same as you have now . A big plus is it’s all Ford stuff , available at any parts store . Just something to think about .

 

What flange would be on my 65 F100 9" ??

Small Ford... Big Ford... Big Ford new style ??

Has 5.5 on 5 bolt circle, axle retainer nuts are 3/4"

The sealed axle bearings from a 73 up 9" truck rear end will go into my spare 65 axle housing but are thicker
The 73 and up truck rear drum brake backing plate have a smaller bolt pattern than my 65 F100


Ricky.

 

There are several nine inch rear ends, big bearing , small bearing and a several different lengths
I am not sure what fits what, for sure! Every time I open one up there are surprises! There are also different sealing techniques on different nine inch rear ends, plus several different fill holes . A lot of variations!




Bones