advice on rear end choices

[jthulan]

I am looking for advice on which choice to go with.
I have a 71 with a 351W auto. I will be going with a CV front end. I would like it to sit a little lower than stock, but I am not interested in bagging or layin frame. The truck may occasionally still tow a car trailer. I am mainly looking for rear discs. It currently has a 9" open diff with 325 gears and drums with the helper springs that Ford used (see pic below.) I think it might be more expensive to add rear discs than just switch out the rear end. I was kinda thinking about a 2001 and older Explorer with the full third member and maybe not the 2002 and newer Explorer since it has a center pumpkin that attaches to a subframe with floating axles...
I am hoping to find something for this budget build by searching the local junkyards.
Thoughts?

[Madman]

I personally am very fond of the 9", and being a popular hotrod/street rod choice for many years, I'd think there are multiple disc brake conversion options out there. I know Summit Racing and Jegs have them available, plus the fab shops that have kits for sale online....I'm not sure of the cost versus a swap like you are talking, but it seems like it would be a less laborious route.

[tnlprt]

If you dont need a parking brake you can swap to rear disc for around 200 bucks using bronco rotors and metric GM calipers..You will need to weld on the caliper brackets.....There are thousands of dirt track cars with the same setup

[ultraranger]

The 1995-2001 Explorer 8.8" Ford rear end will come standard with 31-spline axles and rear disc brakes.

Not all have a Traction-Lok differentials but the most common ratios in them are 3.55, 3.73 and 4.10:1.

They are narrower than the stock Bumpside 9-inch rear but, the backspacing of the rear wheels can make up for the narrower housing width. Spring perches will need to be relocated.

Prices vary but, Explorer rear ends can be picked up for $200.00 (+ or -).

A 9-inch rear end from an '80-'83 Ford F100 will come with the wider housing width to match the width of the CV front suspension. It will also have the matching 5-on-4.5" lug pattern as the lug pattern on the CV. It could be converted to 11-5/8" ventilated SN95 Cobra Mustang rear disc brakes.

[jthulan]

That 8.8 in the Explorer is probably not as strong as the 9" in the 80-83 F100. I imagine the gearing is maybe taller in the Explorer?
I guess I could always go with the option of the T-Bird independent system?? Is there a search engine (or one of you really smart Ford guys on here) that would tell me what vehicles to look at in the junk yards?

[ultraranger]

Thunderbird Super Coupe '89-'95. Lowest factory gear ratio in these is 3.27:1, common ratios were 2.73 and 3.08:1. Traction-Lok differential is standard. Lug pattern is wrong --5-on-4.25". Hubs and rotors would have to be re-drilled for 5-on-4.5" lug pattern or, swap to '99-'04 SN95 Cobra Mustang IRS rear hubs, rotors and calipers. Has a cast iron 8.8" center section. Has a coil spring rear suspension.

Lincoln Mk VIII IRS '92-'98. Also has the 4.25" lug pattern. Aluminum 8.8" center section. Air bag rear suspension.

[shortbedCUSTOM]

The 1995-2001 Explorer 8.8" Ford rear end will come standard with 31-spline axles and rear disc brakes.

Not all have a Traction-Lok differentials but the most common ratios in them are 3.55, 3.73 and 4.10:1.

They are narrower than the stock Bumpside 9-inch rear but, the backspacing of the rear wheels can make up for the narrower housing width. Spring perches will need to be relocated.

Prices vary but, Explorer rear ends can be picked up for $200.00 (+ or -).

A 9-inch rear end from an '80-'83 Ford F100 will come with the wider housing width to match the width of the CV front suspension. It will also have the matching 5-on-4.5" lug pattern as the lug pattern on the CV. It could be converted to 11-5/8" ventilated SN95 Cobra Mustang rear disc brakes.

This is excellent information, thanks.

I have a question though. Does the '80-'83 F100 have to be a V8 truck?

[ultraranger]

The 1995-2001 Explorer 8.8" Ford rear end will come standard with 31-spline axles and rear disc brakes.

Not all have a Traction-Lok differentials but the most common ratios in them are 3.55, 3.73 and 4.10:1.

They are narrower than the stock Bumpside 9-inch rear but, the backspacing of the rear wheels can make up for the narrower housing width. Spring perches will need to be relocated.

Prices vary but, Explorer rear ends can be picked up for $200.00 (+ or -).

A 9-inch rear end from an '80-'83 Ford F100 will come with the wider housing width to match the width of the CV front suspension. It will also have the matching 5-on-4.5" lug pattern as the lug pattern on the CV. It could be converted to 11-5/8" ventilated SN95 Cobra Mustang rear disc brakes.

This is excellent information, thanks.

I have a question though. Does the '80-'83 F100 have to be a V8 truck?

No.

[radioactivelarry]

If you find a 78' vintage (or around the same era) Lincoln Versailles they came from the factory with rear disc brakes and you may be able to use the brackets for the caliper mounts and the calipers and use them on your setup. You may have to find rotors that have the 5.5 lug pattern using Ford parts. I do believe the Granada uses the same frame and components and the equivalent in a Mercury product.
The car guys (Mustangs etc.) do this conversion and they use Ford parts.
Good Luck,

[shortbedCUSTOM]

How much narrower is the Explorer 8.8 compared to the 9" in my '68? Are we talking drastic differences?