Hello all, I've real a lot of old posts about converting wide 5 spindles and banjo diffs to hydraulic brakes. I have what I think is a complete 38 Ford front suspension and a couple of wide 5 banjo rear diffs that I want to use for my 26 RPU project. Like most, I don't have a bucket full of cash to toss at this project and was hoping to find some late model 12" backing plates that could be easily modified to work with the wide 5 drums. I've read that 39-48 backing plates are the ones to look for. Has anyone had any luck adapting any other late model 12" backing plates? Any tips or suggestions? thanks Bobby
Bobby, wow ! Someone has put rear brake backing plates on your front axel. What you need is a set of '40- '48 front backing plates , the ones without the parking brake cables and fittings . Any '40 to '48 brake assem. Will work on your axle,along with the matching brake drums. ............ Jack
spooler41, Ford used brake cables in '38 instead of rods. R Pope, all '39 Fords had wide 5s and hydraulic brakes.
Wow, really? those are rear backing plates on my front axle. I knew that you could use the 39-48 backing plates to convert the mechanical brakes. I haven't been able to dig up a set of them yet....I'll keep looking. I was wondering about other backing plates. I know they might not be a direct bolt on application but surely there is a later model 12" backing plate that is similar enough that some light fabrication might make it adaptable. Or has anyone tried stripping all the mechanical apparatus from the backing plate and converting it to hydraulic? You would have to add the center pivot, drill holes for the wheel cylinder mounting, etc. Any thoughts? Thanks for the input Bobby
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