Rear disc brake conversion on a 91?

[Brian1]

I found a used disc brake conversion kit for a 8.8 rear end made by DTS. (anyone know this company, what it stands for or a website?). The complete kit is 1 year old and the person is asking $80 + shipping. What is involved with doing this? I read the report by Brett. I know I would need new hoses for the calipers but what about e brake cables and the brake system porportioning as well as the rear ABS? I would like to see a pic of a DTS setup if anyone has one or knows about it. also is this a good price for everything? I think it is. thanks for your help.

 

[Brian1]

BTT.

 

[Brian1]

I think I am going to get it for $100 complete kit to my door. All I will need is new hoses. Anyone know about the ebrake cables, if they will work? This is basically the same kit Currie sells for $400.

 

[SteveVB]

Sorry I didnt see this earlier.

The hoses are 20 each, and youll need a bracket - see Bretts article on the disc install. Also need the E brake cables- the part numbers are also in the article.
If its complete you got a deal, is it the same kit sold by Currie? That kit comes with the hoses and brackets you just need the e-cables. Do you have a pic of it? or what you will get. I would ask for one.

DTS could be Drive Train Services- they advertise in most of the 4x rags.

 

[Brian1]

They guy said it is basically the same kit as currie sells. It needs hoses, not sure on brackets but I could probably make my own. How much would the e-brake cables be?

 

[SteveVB]

$100 or so

about $100, may want to check with Torrie at FPN see if he can do better.

I have a complete Currie kit Im going to sell, but it wont be for $80 , that is a good deal.

 

[Brett]

Brian,

You will need to get the ebrake cables from the 95+ disc rear. There are a RH and LH cable. I have never bought these new because I've had luck finding them in the salvage yards. I believe that they run about $100 for the pair from Ford. You will also need to get the intermediate cable from a 93+ 4 door. (the 93-4 cable will be 2 1/2" longer than the 95+) Because you have a 91, your parking brake adjustment is on the cable itself and not on the pedal assembly like the 93+. You can get a couple of cable clamps from any hardware store so you tie the intermediate cable to the cable from your pedal assembly. I have run this on my BII for a couple of years without any issues and just a few minor adjustements every so often.

Also, to achieve the "correct" proportioning, you will need to get the master cylinder from a 96 Explorer w/o cruise control and w/ low fluid warning. From Ford these are about $125. I'd suggest buying a new one from Ford over a cheap reman from the auto parts store.

Now about the parts... I'd be a little leary. First of all, make sure the backing plates match the bolt pattern of your axle housing. Also, parts like the calipers, rotors, and parking brake shoes are expensive. If these are not in good shape, then you're stuck buying new parts. (the parking brake shoes are $50 special order from NAPA). So for $100, make sure you are just not buying some else's junk.

Brett

 

[SteveVB]

Part # for Master Cyl.

Brett,
do you by chance have the Ford part # for the 96 master cylinder? and the 93-4 intermediate cable?

Thanks

 

[Brian1]

Thanks Brett. The backing plate bolt pattern was checked and will work with my axle. I know of a scrap yard here in town that has quite a few late model x's that I could get the cables from. The entire setup has about 7-8k miles on it and are 1 year old. I will ask about the brake shoes but they should still be good. I am still debating on wether or not to buy it. I dont really need it but for the price I do. I tow a trailer and extra brake power would be nice. I still have stock size tires so I dont need it because of that. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[RON COX]

Steve VB, why are you selling your Currie kit? I'm looking at buying one before the year is out, just wondering if there was something I should know about the kit.

 

[SteveVB]

Currie Kit

Ron,

The Currie kit is fine, I bought it a while ago to install and had a few other projects ahead of it. I went to regear and ended up buying a 4.10 disc rear, so I dont need the kit anymore. Nothing wrong with the kit, I can get you some pics of it if you would like, you can see whats included. I said earlier that the hoses are included in the kit- thats not true according to my invoice- I bought the kit for 379, and the caliper hoses were 35 . It is bolt on, but the caliper hose needs a bracket welded to the axle tube, and the hard lines will need to be cut and flared.
Im going to sell it if I can get close to what I paid, if not Ill keep it and install it on the axle Im pulling out.

 

[RON COX]

Steve VB,

I have a pic from Currie's website, thanks. If you weren't so far away I'd take it off your hands, I'm sure shipping would be costly.

 

[Brett]

The part number for the 96 Explorer master cylinder with out speed control is F67Z-2140-HA. It runs about $140 from Ford.

It also appears that the power brake boosters are different between the 96 speed control trucks and non-speed control trucks. Does anyone know what these differences are?

 

[SteveVB]

Thanks

Brett,

I am assuming this will bolt to my booster no problems. Did you have problems with the stock early model master cylinder? How did you determine the 96 is better suited to the swap? I assume it has a larger bore for the increased piston size of the rear discs. Is there a prop valve in the Master Cyl.?

 

[Brian1]

Heres a thought - what about plumbing an adjustible valve into the rear line like the one summit sells for $40? I dont know if that would work or not.