68 F-100 Crown Vic swap rear end question, or thoughts.

[Teledude66]

Long time lurker, but confused searcher. I have seen the multiple rear end swap possibilities, still confused on which ones to look at. I read where some say the Exp 8.8 is the way to go, but I'm concerned about the offset, and the drive shaft running at a sideways angle. I want the 4 wheel disc benefit, but just unsure right now as to which way to go. I'm leaning now to just buying new perches, and flipping my stock rear end, and running the two different lug patterns. I don't want to buy a newer rear with drums, and correct pattern, if all I'm gaining is the lug problem solved, and have to spend more for a conversion to disc kit. Not worried about the lug differences because currently the rear wheels are different width, and offsets. Not going for pro street look, but rear will probably be deeper set than front, but if I did go 4 wheel disc, I could see all being the same offset.

So one question is; are the wheel options for the old rear end that hard to come by?

Which is the definitive choice for axle, if I was going to look at ease of swap using current leaf system, and as close to stock width, but upgrading to disc?
Sorry for sounding like a newbie, thanks in advance.

[Ranchero50]

The emergency brake is the biggest hiccup to doing a disc swap. Personally if you don't plan on doing a CV swap up front I would looks for aftermarket brackets to fit someone's OEM disc setup on the 9" rear. Try to stay with OEM consumables (rotor / pads) so you don't have replacement troubles down the road.

On my '05 Lincoln LS it uses a lever actuated E brake on the rear caliper and should be pretty simple to repurpose onto a 9" rear.

[Teledude66]

The emergency brake is the biggest hiccup to doing a disc swap. Personally if you don't plan on doing a CV swap up front I would looks for aftermarket brackets to fit someone's OEM disc setup on the 9" rear. Try to stay with OEM consumables (rotor / pads) so you don't have replacement troubles down the road.

On my '05 Lincoln LS it uses a lever actuated E brake on the rear caliper and should be pretty simple to repurpose onto a 9" rear.

Yes, I am doing the CV swap up front, already have it. I'm looking at keeping the stock rear end for now, just trying to think a couple steps ahead.

Thanks.

[Ranchero50]

If you are going CV up front then it makes sense to source a disc brake small bolt pattern rear to match the front. Just the aesthetics of having the same bolt pattern front to rear makes it worthwhile.

[ultraranger]

IF you are going to make the rear end lug pattern match the front, then it's unavoidable that something is going to have to be changed in the rear --axles/drums in the existing rear end housing at minimum or, a completely different rear end with the correct lug pattern and brake type altogether.

In 8.8" style Ford rear ends, your choices are '95-'01 Explorer, '03-2011 Crown Vic or an IRS from an '89-'96 (or so) T-Bird Super Coupe/Cougar XR-7 or, Lincoln Mk VIII. --if going the IRS route, wheel hubs and rear discs will have to be changed or re-drilled. They are 5 x 4.25" instead of 5 x 4.5" lug pattern.

If you retain a 9-inch rear end, some of the '80-'83 F100s came with a 5 x 4.5" lug pattern. All these rear ends came stock with 31-spline axles. These rear ends also have the correct width to match the wider wheel spacing of the CV front suspension --getting rid of the 'bulldog look' ....you know? broader across the front and narrower in the rear end. The '80-'83 F100 9-inch rear end with the 5 x 4.5" lug pattern has the old style large axle bearing flanges at the ends of the axle housing tubes. Curries sells adapter brackets to fit these housings that would allow you to install '94-'04 SN95 Cobra Mustang rear disc brakes onto this housing.

There was also a 9-inch rear end housing in the '80-'86 Ford trucks with the 5 x 5.5" lug pattern that had the later style 'Torino' large axle bearing 4-bolt flanges (3.56" horizontal bolt pattern x 2", instead of the older style flange pattern of 3.50" x 2.375"). You would have to swap out the axles for custom 31-spline axles with a 5 x 4.5" lug pattern but, this 'Torino' style bearing flange 9-inch housing will make it possible to directly bolt on a set of '95-'01 Explorer rear disc brake assemblies.

If you went to the trouble of completely changing out the front end, why stop by not correctly making the rear end match the front wheel pattern? Its going to look wonky, otherwise.

[Teledude66]

IF you are going to make the rear end lug pattern match the front, then it's unavoidable that something is going to have to be changed in the rear --axles/drums in the existing rear end housing at minimum or, a completely different rear end with the correct lug pattern and brake type altogether.

In 8.8" style Ford rear ends, your choices are '95-'01 Explorer, '03-2011 Crown Vic

Ok so will the 95-01 Explorer have the offset drive shaft that people tell me to avoid? Is this misinformation?

Is the CV rear too wide for my 68? I'd rather not have to flare or roll my fenders. Thanks for all the replies.