Hot Rods Ford 8.8 rear end info

So I picked up a for 8.8 out of an explorer for my 53 Chevy 210. My question is has anyone swapped from disc to drum? If so what backing plates and drums did you go with? I know they cam with drums but for some reason around here they are hard to find. Looking for some other options like f150 ranger etc

 

I know my 2003 Ranger V6 had an 8.8 with drum brakes. I have no idea if they will swap.

 

@pbr40
Ranger 8.8 and Explorer 8.8 use different sized axle tubes, flanges, axles and axle bearings, where the brakes bolt on. I know this because I have both in my shop presently. The only exception is the somewhat scarce Ranger FX4 which uses an Explorer housing but it is disc brake, so that is no help.

Also Rangers came with either 7.5” or 8.8” differentials, and both were fitted with 9” or 10” brakes, depending on model specifics. Both the 7.5” & 8.8” share the same axle tubes, axle shafts and bearings, only the carrier section differs.

Early Explorer is, as you point out, drum style, but harder to find. I do not know the details of F-150 applications. But some sleuthing on Rockauto or one of the other major parts house websites can probably help sort that out.

Ray

 

Man that’s some great info! I’ll look into rock auto and check some of that. Thanks

 

Have you look at using an early 90's Chevy Blazer rear end. Use one from a 4X4 they are shorter. I have put one in a 55 Chev, not sure if a 53 is different.


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Put discs on the front.

By the time you track down drum assemblies, buy them, and get them rebuilt to function as new, you will be near this: https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Spee...nger-Car-Disc-Brake-Conversion-Kit,74072.html

 

I used an Explorer 8.8 with drums in my 56 Ford. They came with smaller drums so I installed 95 F-150 backing plates and drums which were 11" with 2-1/4 " wide shoes. my stock were 11" by 1-3/4" shoes Drums now have 2 patterns. After everything was sorted out I installed a Wilwood kit on the front that has 4 pistons and the car for me does not need power assist. One note I changed the rear F-150 wheel cylinder from 1" to 15/16" on the recomendation of Wilwood. The MC is 7/8"
Gears for using an overdrive transmission are readily available but the higher ones are harder to find. I have 2.74 in mine and 3.08 are out there. I do not have an OD and they are fine for me.

 

This helps a lot! Thanks for the insight

 

It already has disc on front.

 

The 8.8 is far superior for the abuse.

 

So then I am not following at all. Why would there be a need to switch to drums?

 

He found an 8.8 rear with disk brakes, and he wants drums on the rear. I don't see the need either.

 

I will also ask... why swap to drums? People pay bucks to goto 4 disc, Use the master from the Xploder and should be good to go..

 

Was that a f100 or passenger car?