10.25 rear disc conversion - Diesel Forum

Kywookie · 10-10-2006, 08:15 AM

Hi all. I haven't been here for awhile. Other matters more urgent has kept me away. Now that I am back I have a ?. I have been searching the internet for information about converting from rear drum to disc brakes on the truck in my sig. A link was given on another site to The Diesel Stop and said the link contained suppliers for Sterling parts and some conversion info. The link was a dead end and using the search feature here has proved useless. Can someone point me in the right direction?
Kywookie

cdnsarguy · 10-10-2006, 08:31 AM

You may find something of interest on Bill Vista's web page.

cwatanabe · 10-10-2006, 01:31 PM

Try this one. http://www.tsmmfg.com/

Kywookie · 10-10-2006, 02:16 PM

Thanks for the links guys. I have found lots of info, but the thing that has me puzzled is this: It seems the 96 E350 van w/7.5l came with rear disc brakes. Some have used the rotors from this application, but I have only seen one small mention of using the dual piston calipers from it. It seems that this would be a straight bolt on if one got the brackets to go with it. Most seem to advocate using the front caliper from a 76 to 78 Cadillac Eldorado. I would like to have more info from anyone who has used the E350 parts.
Kywookie

Kywookie · 10-10-2006, 03:55 PM

I've been browsing today and have found some more info.
http://www.blackbirdscustomtrucks.com/index8.html
http://www.fordmann.com/F350.rear_disc_brakes.htm
Will post more links or info as I find it.
Kywookie

Kywookie · 10-10-2006, 04:11 PM

It seems that the E350 has a Dana 60/61 axle in it. The rotor and calipers can be used, but you still must fabricate caliper mounting brackets.
Kywookie

ColLonewolf · 10-10-2006, 07:05 PM

November 2006 FourWheeler Magazine just did and article on the TSM Sterling 10.25 conversion.

snatchal · 10-11-2006, 09:25 PM

[ QUOTE ]
It seems that the E350 has a Dana 60/61 axle in it. The rotor and calipers can be used, but you still must fabricate caliper mounting brackets.
Kywookie

[/ QUOTE ]
Could the whole rear axle housing with disc brakes and all be swapped into a truck? Do trucks and vans have the same width rear-end?

Kywookie · 10-12-2006, 05:22 AM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
It seems that the E350 has a Dana 60/61 axle in it. The rotor and calipers can be used, but you still must fabricate caliper mounting brackets.
Kywookie

[/ QUOTE ]
Could the whole rear axle housing with disc brakes and all be swapped into a truck? Do trucks and vans have the same width rear-end?

[/ QUOTE ]

I doubt the width is the same.
One other item I discovered. After a few emails with the guy that used all Ford parts off the 96 van I found out that the e-brake setup is integral to the mounting brackets and not the caliper. What this means is you must find a complete donor axle or try to source 2 brackets for each side from Ford in addition to fabricating the bracket that replaces the existing drum brake flange. I intend to go to the Ford dealer this morning to see what I can find out concerning availability and pricing. I'm beginning to lean more toward the Eldorado caliper approach, unless the Ford brackets are reasonably priced, and we all know how unlikely that is.
Kywookie

Discbrks · 10-12-2006, 12:01 PM

As long as a van & truck rear end is the same overall width, you could cut off the van spring perches and weld new ones on in the right location for the truck leaf springs. That seems much easier to me.