Hi All, I'm "planning" right now and I'm looking for brake options for a 9". I can get a "new style" big bearing housing for free (3rd one from left), but it's out of a truck (I think) and will need a mish-mash of parts to get it into a car. Redrilled or new axles, redrilled or different drums, etc. I'm looking for brake ideas that will work and not cost a grand (or even $500). I've seen drum setups on E-Bay for $300 and disc brackets for $100 (don't know what else needs to be bought). The car will have manual brakes... Russ
Russ,the majority of Drum rears I use are the 2nd one from the left (most common) the truck "flat" style is the best to narrow and you will need new axles anyway,redrilling the drums is easy and the truck drums are cheap,29.95-39.95 each,complete brakes with ALL new everything is less than75.00 (+drums) and those big drum brakes really stop well.Jack
disk brakes from a expoler will bolt on to that housing end. you just need a shim to make up for the thicker backing plate than the drum backing plate. there are a couple of posts on here about that do a search. you can get the kits all brand new for under 500 bucks.
I don't see them as "bolt-on", the axle flange patterns are completely different (according to the info I have) and will need at least redrilling. I'm not sure how to ensure the mounting bracket would remain concentric to the bearing while drilling. I'm guessing a jig would need to be made to center it. Enlighten us on bolting the Explorer bracket to the 9" axle flanges! Russ
the explorer brakes WILL bolt on, but for caliper clearence it needs to be turned slightly and redrilled. look in the tech articles section at the write up that Frank (71Gold) wrote
I read that article, it's for an 8" which has a different axle flange pattern. If you look at the ends on my truck housing (3rd from left), it's a rectangle measuring 3.562" x 2.000. The Explorer flange (4th from left) is a trapezoid measuring 3.410" (top) x 1.680" high x 3.076" (bottom). I just don't see how those are going to "bolt up". Maybe if you ream out the holes to 3/4" or so... Russ
If you go with the truck drums, Ford Racing sells the drums to fit these with a 5x4.5 bolt pattern (these run about $30-40 each thru Summit) These are the brakes I went with on my Comet's 9". They're 11 x 2.25" drums from an 81 Bronco, same as the F150's drums.
Oooh, that's what I wanted to hear! I was wondering if the truck brakes were the right size for those drums. Number M1126-B, but the best price I've seen is $44.95 - still not too bad though... Thanks for the info! Russ
the explorer kit will bolt directly on to the 9" axle end you indicated that you have. im not sure but is suspect you dont have to reclock the caliper. i belive you can just loosen the bolt the lift the caliper off the bracket. i may be wrong. i have not installed these on maverick. i have a 9" in my mav and it has the same ends as yours. im using the explorer drum brakes on mine with out a problem. you can get a complet kit from currie either the drums or disks for under $500.
