I have a 97 f150 4x4 long bed. It came with a 8.8 rear axle. It currently has drum rear brakes. Is there anyway to change the brakes to disk and how much is involved? Thanks for any help/ advice

 

You can buy a kit. On a Ranger forum some members use Mustang calipers. IIRC, some modification needs to be done to fit them because they are a larger caliper.
http://www.tsmmfg.com/2530.htm
Or you can swap the whole axle out.
http://www.explorer4x4.com/discrear.html

 

I have an explorer 8.8 in my jeep but it is slot narrower than the 8.8 in my f150. I was wondering if parts would swap from a disc to a drum axle?

 

Parts swap right over from ford drum to ford disk. I think the only thing different otherwise is the removal of a proportioning valve (that's just a general thing and I'm not sure if late models have them). 8.8's out of explorers are about 1.5" narrower than the Chrysler 8.25's that XJs and ZJs got. Good upgrade if you have the time and patience.

 

can I use my stock e brake cables or do I have to change them? This is my DD so I can't have it down for too long.

 

Best bet is to find a F150 8.8 with rear disc From 99-00 as it will have 12x1.75mm lugs. And yes you would need new parking brake cables.

 

My truck has drums in the rear also, but since most of the stopping is done at the front due to inertia and engine weight and the front are discs, is it worth all the trouble to change the rear brakes to disc?
Remember, there is also the parking brake issue.
Just a thought.

 

If you converting from a XJ or ZJ Chrysler 8.25 then you can get away with using a cable clamp to loop around the ebrake cable setup on the back of the 8.8.

 

I'm not putting the discs on my xj I already have an 8.8 on it. I'm wanting to convert the drums on my f150 to disc brakes. Can I just find an 8.8 with disc and swap the brakes only out? And would I have to change the e brake cables out or can I use the ones that come stock in my truck?

 

On the f150s, everything should be interchangeable.