8.8 rear end/ brakes

[jeremyta99]

I have a 73 mustang and I bought an 8.8 rearend out of a 96 explorer to swap. It was missing the brakes so I need to replace them. I want to add a bigger brake system than the 11" rotors that come on it. Are there any brake systems that will mount up to this rearend, possibly a cobra brake system. The biggest I can find for an explorer is the stock size but I'd like to go to at least 12" or even 13". Has anyone done this or know what will work?

[Lowfast]

I have these on order http://wilwood.com/BrakeKits/BrakeKi...no=140-12209-D . The explorer is a wierd mix of parts but the bolt spacing on the flange matches the ford "New big Bearing" end. You want a floating caliper to aviod knockback issues. So this is an option, I hope to have them on in the next week and can report back how easily the kit bolted on.

[66resto]

Does anyone know if this Wilwood Kit. ,part# 140-11396DR, will fit on an explorer 8.8 rear end?

Have a chance to get a pretty good deal on a new set, just wasn't sure it would fit. Are the flanges different on the mustang 8.8 vs. the explorer 8.8? According to the Wilwood website, there was only one option for the 8.8 flange, as shown in Lowfast's link and only one offset, 2.5. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[vipex]

Originally Posted by jeremyta99

I have a 73 mustang and I bought an 8.8 rearend out of a 96 explorer to swap. It was missing the brakes so I need to replace them. I want to add a bigger brake system than the 11" rotors that come on it. Are there any brake systems that will mount up to this rearend, possibly a cobra brake system. The biggest I can find for an explorer is the stock size but I'd like to go to at least 12" or even 13". Has anyone done this or know what will work?

Since the vast majority of your braking is up front why don't you invest more there and use the stock explorer pieces out back. You can dial it all in with a proportioning valve. My 2 cents anyway.

[theman1990]

Yah I agree, the Cobra uses the same brakes out back as the Explorer... The $$ would be much better invested up front, unless you just want the "wow" factor out back (plus all the extra rotating mass etc....)

[nelsoncat]

Is the Explorer rear end the same width as the Mustang? I just swapped one in my 97 Jeep Wrangler and was wondering the whole time whether it would work in my mustang. How does it compare to the 9 inch?

Craig

[theman1990]

It will fit directly (width wise) in a 67-68 I know. The offset diff might require some "massaging" of the trans tunnel/floor though. Those that have done it have had no real driveshaft issues, either. To put it in a 65-66, you gotta narrow it a bit OR use later model wheels. Only AFTER I narrowed mine 3 inches did it occur to me it would have been easier to put later wheels on it if i'd left it wider.

[jeremyta99]

Originally Posted by vipex

Since the vast majority of your braking is up front why don't you invest more there and use the stock explorer pieces out back. You can dial it all in with a proportioning valve. My 2 cents anyway.

Thanks, Sounds like this will be a better idea.

[ozarks06]

If you want a fancier look (and a little better cooling), you can probably find slotted and drilled rotors for the Explorer rear brakes, but I agree with vipex. No need to spend for big brakes on the back. Given that the Explorer weighs 1000 lbs+ more than our Mustangs, the stock Explorer brakes should be more than adequate. I have the stock Explorer brakes and 11" rotors in front and have plent of stopping power (though a big block might need a little more in front).

[Lowfast]

I went with these to match my 6 piston front Wilwoods, overkill, yep, but I am a self admitted brake whore. The 8.8 flange is not the same as the explorer flange, pull the measurements from your explorer flange and compare to those listed for the 8.8, not the same. That is why I say the explorer rear is an oddball, but you can't go wrong with an LS and 31 spline fromt he factory. Most cost effective is to go with the stockers which I also could have done, just had my heart set on something else. If Wilwood ever gets off thier rear and ship the damn things I will post up how the installation goes.