explorer disk brakes on a fw 8.8

[jovibuilt]

There was a thread on here of a guy trying it.But I can't seem to find it I searched.Anyone have and input on the swap?

 

[Explorin94]

Bolt patterns are wrong. FW is 5 on 5.5 and the explorer is 5 on 4.5

 

[88_Eddie]

you could drill the rotors to 5x5.5.....just take the drum and layout the bolt pattern on the rotor

 

[PlumCrazy]

Not so sure the stock 5x5.5 flange will fit in the parking brake drum. I had my 5x5.5 Dutchman shaft flanges made to be 6.5" and they barely fit. I know the stock 5x5.5s are larger diameter flanges.

If you are cool with 17" wheels then try Expedition/4 door F-150 rears
-PlumCrazy

 

[jovibuilt]

Bolt patterns are wrong. FW is 5 on 5.5 and the explorer is 5 on 4.5

Going to re drill them or buy a couple of currie rotors.Just wondered if everything else bolts up.I found a thread where a guy said it bolted up no problems.And also found one on the explorer fourm that a guy had to modify a bunch of stuff to get it to work.Like leaving out some of the parking brake shoe springs.And I dont want to do that.

 

[PlumCrazy]

BTW the Explorer caliper bracket will bolt up. I have bolted full width drum backing plates on an Explorer axle. So I see no reason why it would work the other way.

You will have to run Expedition parking brake cables or something to get the length you will need.

-PlumCrazy

 

[PlumCrazy]

Here is the post from my build year so ago


First off, I swapped the rear shafts for the new Dutchmans with 5x5.5 and I redrilled the rotors.

The hub fits in the Exploder rotor perfect, I had the flange made to be 6.5" which is a little smaller than a standard F150 hub.

I drilled the first rotor using the axle as a pattern, then I bolted it to the next rotor through the original holes. I drilled them 9/16 to give a little wiggle room. The center hole keeps them centered anyway.

Back together

Hub flange appears to clear the drum by a mile in the picture, but there is a pretty large radius at the bottom. If the flange was any larger it would not sit flat on the mounting face.

-PlumCrazy

 

[jovibuilt]

Plum how much did the axles run you?

 

[PlumCrazy]

About $350 I think. Its been a while. Just call them up and they will quote it over the phone.

-PlumCrazy

 

[jovibuilt]

I think it would be cheaper to turn the flanges down on mine and open up the hole in the rotor.

 

[PlumCrazy]

Im still Explorer width too. I doubt the length affects price too much. Your paying more for machine work.

-PlumCrazy

 

[PlumCrazy]

I think it would be cheaper to turn the flanges down on mine and open up the hole in the rotor.

^this is true, but...

Dutchman shafts are 1541-H verses stock 1039. They are case hardened to add a 30% increase in strength both twisting and bending situations. Standard 4340 fully hardened aftermarket shafts are even more resistant to twisting, but more prone to breaking if bent or loaded sideways which is why they are not the best choice for a c clip flanged axle application.

I have been running my Dutchman shafts with heavy aired down 35's, lock lock-rite and doubler with out failure. With that combo it is possible for one shaft to see upwards of 20,000ft-lbs of torque.

-PlumCrazy

 

[jovibuilt]

I am going to do it like disciplerocks did.I finally found a set of axles like his.
http://www.therangerstation.com/foru...92406&page=162
post 2427

 

[adsm08]

Dumb question.

Why not find a FW 8.8 with drum brakes?

 

[jovibuilt]

Dumb question.

Why not find a FW 8.8 with drum brakes?

My FW 8.8 has drum brakes but they need rebuilt and I all ready had a new explorer disk set up.I plan on 37 inch tires and thought disk would be a nice up grade.I am replacing a 7.5 drum brake axle.(1989 Ranger)