Any ideas on Disc brake conversion?

[Andres629]

On an 8.8? But not just any 8.8... a full-width 8.8, oh yeah! I want to try and make it a mostly factory swap so that I don't have to surf the information super-highway to get parts when something breaks... So far, I've got it narrowed down to an Explorer setup (allows me to run 15" rims) with a re-drilled rotor and the axle flanges machined down to fit in an Explorer disk's hat. Anyone have any other ideas, or see any flaws in my plan thus far? Thanks!

 

[Andres629]

...no one with any feedback?

 

[Snoranger]

...no one with any feedback?

You've got a solid plan there, do it. Most other setups force you to run a 16" wheel or custom rotors (as opposed to modified off the shelf rotors).

 

[4x4junkie]

From what I know, I don't see any flaws with it, as long as the backing plate pattern is the same. You might need to machine the rotor's center hole larger to fit over the axle's centering hub, but not sure.

 

[Snoranger]

From what I know, I don't see any flaws with it, as long as the backing plate pattern is the same. You might need to machine the rotor's center hole larger to fit over the axle's centering hub, but not sure.

The housing ends are the same between the Explorer 8.8 and the full size. So same bolt pattern.


I would go the other way if possible (and if needed), machine the hub not the rotor. This way if you ever have to replace the rotor down the road, it only needs to be drilled to the right bolt pattern.

 

[Andres629]

Alright, well thanks for the positive feedback. Basically I was posting this to find out if there were any inherent drawbacks to this plan that I somehow overlooked. I'll take lots of pictures when I do it!

 

[Snoranger]

The only problem I see. Is the axle flange (wheel mounting surface) the same distance from the housing end on both axles?

 

[4x4junkie]

I would go the other way if possible (and if needed), machine the hub not the rotor. This way if you ever have to replace the rotor down the road, it only needs to be drilled to the right bolt pattern.

Good idea

 

[Andres629]

Hmm, valid point snoranger. Got me some measuring to do!