swampfishin

Did they make any of the older F-150's(96 and older) with rear disc brakes or did they start that in 97? I am curious since my drum brakes get so damn hot when I'm pulling any kind of trailer with a load on it and I've almost ended up in a ditch a time or two since they got so hot they pretty much failed. I have been kicking around the idea of changing them to disc brakes but I don't have a clue if that's a possibility and if it was would it make that much difference.

Boogerburns

They make conversion kits, or you can buy another axle with it already done. And do it like that. I would make sure to get the master cylinder also, because its most likely different. And make sure the steel pipes are the same. But the RABS system might mess up on you if you don't have the right sensor. So im not sure if it would be worth it or not.

Just call me Sean

iTrader: (1)

I have never seen rear wheel discs on these trucks, but I don't know if it was available. If it was I'd like to do the switch too, but I doubt that it was an option. The ABS isn't a problem since the sensor is in the rear end and not on the wheels. The master cylinder is usually different for rear wheel discs, as well as the proportioning valve.

Mr. Orange

This makes me curious. A friend of mine had the idea of putting the rear end of a 97 lightning on my 94 XL. The things brought up here make me curious if the mod can be done, and how much I would have to change to make it work. The Lightning rear end is geared differently, and had disk brakes. I know I'd have to change the gear on the speed sensor to compensate the gear ration in the diff, or a new sensor altogether. Also, perhaps upgrading the entire brake system to match. What do you think? Wast of time, or is it even possible without modding the crap out of the truck? I'm not modding the truck its self to compensate if I can help it, it's fine with the 8.8 if that's the case.

Just call me Sean

iTrader: (1)

Yours is a '94 right? '94 doesn't have a mechanical speedometer so there wouldn't be any gear to change for it. Changing the sensor isn't necessary since it only counts the teeth on the differential carrier. I'm not sure about the master cylinder, disc brakes take more pressure to operate but the proportioning valve is screwed onto one of the ports of the master cylinder. I think it limits the pressure to the rear brakes, and if so then it would be fine to use the master cylinder. There are also adjustable proportioning valves that are used when rear discs are swapped in.

Mr. Orange

OK, that takes care of a lot, but here's a good question. Where would you buy a proportioning valve? I work at a parts store, and from what I've managed to find so far (for customers), they are not sold at common parts stores because they don't really go bad. I had a customer needing one for his 93 F150 today, he broke the little plastic piece in his removing it from the master cylinder he was replacing. We didn't even have it listed in the books, much less the near-useless computer. Dealership, or maybe even a performance parts store? I know Summit would want a kidney for an oil filter!

Just call me Sean

iTrader: (1)

I've bought several proportioning valves, but they were for Chevys. It was a dealer only item and cost about $100. I would think that the Ford one wouldn't be that costly since it's such a small part and not nearly as complex as the Chevy one. Other than that, the junkyard would be the next place to go. As far as the adjustable one, it is aftermarket and would have to be bought from somewhere like Summit. They also were around $100. My Original Parts Group catalog lists a disc/disc proportioning valve for my '72 LeMans for $50. Rear discs weren't an option for my LeMans in '72.

swampfishin

I appreciate the help fellas. I'm going to look into this some more. Does the newer trucks have a different lug bolt pattern?

DixieDarkhorse

yeah the new trucks bolt pattern is different but i've seen a bunch of newer wheels on older trucks, so they must not be to different. broncograveyard.com has a rear disk conversion kit for our trucks, i think it looks good.

RocketScott

Since the studs are on the rotor in the front for 2 wheel drive trucks could they be swapped for newer rotors with the new bolt pattern? Or are the bearing size and spacing different?

I've been thinking about putting discs on the rear for a while. All the internals in my drums are about shot and I'd rather make the switch than invest in whole new drums.