8.8 and 9" disc brake options

[tcm glx]

Hey guys...
I do not think we have a thread for disc brake options for the 8.8 or 9" so here I go. If we have one, delete this please.


So, what are the options, what does everyone recomend. I saw Nicks setup this weekend and really liked the wilwoods... Andy has suggested Ford Cobra discs... what is out there.

Also, I keep reading things like a mounting offset. What is that, and what is the correct one to go after for a stock 9" Big bearing housing.

[Silverslk]

I found these

http://www.gofastbroncos.com/forum/view ... it=caliper

http://www.gofastbroncos.com/forum/view ... per#p31372

[Silverslk]

So, in previous threads the vented Cobra setup was mentioned with parking brake lever vs mini drum. Tony has found a few articles where they mention the Cobra rotors can only be used to 5x5 (not 5x5.5)...... any ideas or thoughts?

[ChaseTruck754]

Haven't seen the stuff in person so I don't know for sure but my guess is that they run out of room to widen the pattern from 5x4.5 to 5x5.5. Meaning there just isn't enough room to machine that big of a pattern in the "hat" of the rotor most likely. It's a guess, but it's what I'm going with.

[philofab]

I'm a fan of the drum brake style parking brake, as the lever style calipers have always had issues on cars I've had.

That being said I will be going to a transfer case mounted parking brake and big ass Baer calipers on 13" rotors.

[Silverslk]

Haven't seen the stuff in person so I don't know for sure but my guess is that they run out of room to widen the pattern from 5x4.5 to 5x5.5. Meaning there just isn't enough room to machine that big of a pattern in the "hat" of the rotor most likely. It's a guess, but it's what I'm going with.

Except both the Cobra and Explorers are on 8.8's with 4x4.5...... otherwise, I'd believe that. Paul Wilson mentioned about the Cobra stuff..... maybe he'll chime in?

[philofab]

Except both the Cobra and Explorers are on 8.8's with 4x4.5...... otherwise, I'd believe that. Paul Wilson mentioned about the Cobra stuff..... maybe he'll chime in?

They use different rotors.

[Silverslk]

Right, one is vented but the center (Hat) shouldn't vary much as they go over similar axle flanges.....

[philofab]

Right, one is vented but the center (Hat) shouldn't vary much as they go over similar axle flanges.....

Actually it does. The Explorer uses a parking brake with shoes so the rotor hat is huge. The Mustang has a mechanical parking brake built into the caliper, so the hat is small.

[Silverslk]

Right, one is vented but the center (Hat) shouldn't vary much as they go over similar axle flanges.....

Actually it does. The Explorer uses a parking brake with shoes so the rotor hat is huge. The Mustang has a mechanical parking brake built into the caliper, so the hat is small.

Forgot about that Philo. You are right. Anyone have a set of Explorer rotors off to take some measurements?

[philofab]

Forgot about that Philo. You are right. Anyone have a set of Explorer rotors off to take some measurements?

I have a bunch of sets in storage. What measurement do you need?

[Silverslk]

Forgot about that Philo. You are right. Anyone have a set of Explorer rotors off to take some measurements?

I have a bunch of sets in storage. What measurement do you need?

All you can take? please. (diameter? offset? Hat dimensions?, etc)

I would like to take same measurements from the cobra ones I have and post them here for everyone.

[gunit]

A cheap and easy solution for the 9" if you are not worried about a parking brake is to use front rotors from a Jeep CJ7 '77-84 and GM metric '78-88 calipers. The caliper brackets are available from several sources. Total cost is about $150. Rotors new less than $30. Ea, Calipers with pads for $45. Ea, Weld on caliper mount $15. Set

Bonus is these parts can be found all over Baja.

[AussieRod]

A cheap and easy solution for the 9" if you are not worried about a parking brake is to use front rotors from a Jeep CJ7 '77-84 and GM metric '78-88 calipers. The caliper brackets are available from several sources. Total cost is about $150. Rotors new less than $30. Ea, Calipers with pads for $45. Ea, Weld on caliper mount $15. Set

Bonus is these parts can be found all over Baja.

Idea stolen Front or rear GM calipers?

[gunit]

Front

[gunit]

Rotors: http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=390927 $35 ea for professional grade

Weld on bracket: http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Weld-On-1 ... 21280.html $10 ea

Calipers: http://www.speedwaymotors.com/1978-88-R ... 35786.html $45 each with pads

One more thing; this set up works with 15" wheels

[AussieRod]

Front

Gotcha, thanks.

[78Class3]

-"A cheap and easy solution for the 9" if you are not worried about a parking brake is to use front rotors from a Jeep CJ7 '77-84 and GM metric '78-88 calipers. The caliper brackets are available from several sources. Total cost is about $150. Rotors new less than $30. Ea, Calipers with pads for $45. Ea, Weld on caliper mount $15. Set"

This is the set up that I used. I think i used a 78 bronco rotor though, with a GM caliper ( i think a 78 monte carlo), and got the caliper bracket from speedway. The only problem I had with mine was I had to turn down the axles flange(not sure what to call it) diameter like 1/16th of an inch to clear through the rotor.

[ChaseTruck754]

A cheap and easy solution for the 9" if you are not worried about a parking brake is to use front rotors from a Jeep CJ7 '77-84 and GM metric '78-88 calipers. The caliper brackets are available from several sources. Total cost is about $150. Rotors new less than $30. Ea, Calipers with pads for $45. Ea, Weld on caliper mount $15. Set

Bonus is these parts can be found all over Baja.

Exactly what I did for the setup on the 9" I was building for my old exploder as well. Cheap & easy. As Dave said the only downside is no parking brake.

I also had to turn down my axle flanges just slightly.

Here is the parts list I had saved.
Rotors – 1982 Jeep CJ-5 – 4wd – front
Calipers – 1989 Chevy Caprice – front (lifetime warranty)
*these use pads #MKD-52 – very popular pad found on chevy trucks, astro van, etc.

[toddz69]

Hey guys...

Also, I keep reading things like a mounting offset. What is that, and what is the correct one to go after for a stock 9" Big bearing housing.

Mounting offset is the distance from the face of the axle flange to the backing plate mounting surface on the axle housing. Many of the aftermarket kits want a 2.5" mounting offset. For most folks on here with big Broncos, that's not a problem since all '78-newer 9" axles and the 8.8s have that offset. We guys with the early Broncos usually struggle with that issue since many of ours have 2 3/8" offsets.

I run the Explorer stuff since I need/want a parking brake. Dave's solution is a great one if you don't need a parking brake - it's been around for years.

Todd Z.