Relocate the E-brake........maybe?

[ptwothree]

Just wondering if anyone has adapted a later model rear backing plate, stock '46 and up axle housing?  The purpose of this would be to relocate the e-brake for the installation of a T-5.  

 

[Robert Horne]

I installed a 5 speed Ranger trans into my 38 Coupe.

 

The stock 3.9 rear was too low geared, so I changed to a 3.7 Ranger rear, good now,

 

but 3.5 rear may be better.

 

The T5 trans may have different gearing all together than the TK5 Ranger trans,

 

so you may want to consider gearing ratios, before trying to change brake systems....

 

Also consider driveshafts.... I made an adapter on the stock rear 3.9, to use the stock driveshaft, so to test my 5 speed.

 

After installing the Ranger rear, I used a Explorer driveshaft.........

[Eneto-55]

I haven't actually looked at the rear differential with this in mind, but after working on the rear (disk) brakes on our 09 Journey, I've wondered if it would be possible to set up a single disk at the differential (between it & the drive shaft) to use as the emergency brake.  Like I said, I haven't looked at it, and I suppose that in addition to the mounting adaptation challenge, there might also be clearance issues (with the floor boards).

 

If I understand the original question, I think you would have to go up to atleast around 63 or later before you get away from the transmission emergency brake drum setup.  (My 62 Newport had a transmission mounted internal shoe brake drum.)

[Robert Horne]

Hot rod magazines have the driveshaft/rearend park brakes set.

 

Should not be too difficult to install..........

[ptwothree]

The main idea I had was swapping in a different rear backing plate complete with service and e-brake to eliminate the need to install an entire rear end when installing a completely different (no e-brake) trans....be it a 5sp, auto or whatever.

 

This would be a good answer:   "Just go get a pair of backing plates from a 19__  __________ It'll bolt right on and the e-brake cables will work with the stock stuff.  Cheap too!"

 

Just thought that 'maybe' somebody else did this already and could spill the beans on what it took to make it happen.  I'm keeping my six and I really don't want to do a rear end swap over an e-brake.  But, some sort of stick with o.d. would be nice.

[nonstop]

If looking for e brake backing plates, I used 65 Coronet plates. I had to drill 2 holes in the flanges to bolt up the backing plates, use the later retainers and press the seals into them. Took some work, but not too bad. My reason was to gain better Bendix brakes and get removeable drums, BUT they did have provisions for the e brake (although mine is still on the trans).

[Plymouthy Adams]

nonstop, on 11 Sept 2014 - 12:51 AM, said:

If looking for e brake backing plates, I used 65 Coronet plates. I had to drill 2 holes in the flanges to bolt up the backing plates, use the later retainers and press the seals into them. Took some work, but not too bad. My reason was to gain better Bendix brakes and get removeable drums, BUT they did have provisions for the e brake (although mine is still on the trans).

as the 65 used non tapered axles and the 65 drums will retrofit to earlier years..you should go a bit further in detailing your steps in answering this question..it is as you state not just a bolt in and is a bit invasive..a few more of the details may or may not give confidence to the next man wanting to do the same

[ptwothree]

If looking for e brake backing plates, I used 65 Coronet plates. I had to drill 2 holes in the flanges to bolt up the backing plates, use the later retainers and press the seals into them. Took some work, but not too bad. My reason was to gain better Bendix brakes and get removeable drums, BUT they did have provisions for the e brake (although mine is still on the trans).

So the backing plates are more or less a bolt on.  OK.   I'm not understanding the axle deal.  Sounds like you used the Coronet axles as well.They fit your old housing?  I'd like to hear more.....

[50 coupe]

I installed a 5 speed Ranger trans into my 38 Coupe.

 

The stock 3.9 rear was too low geared, so I changed to a 3.7 Ranger rear, good now,

 

but 3.5 rear may be better.

 

The T5 trans may have different gearing all together than the TK5 Ranger trans,

 

so you may want to consider gearing ratios, before trying to change brake systems....

 

Also consider driveshafts.... I made an adapter on the stock rear 3.9, to use the stock driveshaft, so to test my 5 speed.

 

After installing the Ranger rear, I used a Explorer driveshaft.........

 

Robert, have you any pics of the adapter you made for the driveshaft? I need to do the same for a temporary set up. Need to mate the stock drive shaft to the Explorer rear end so I can move the car around the barnyard and test out new braking system. 

[wayfarer]

 

Just wondering if anyone has adapted a later model rear backing plate, stock '46 and up axle housing?  The purpose of this would be to relocate the e-brake for the installation of a T-5.  

 

I saw a post some time back, may or may not have been on this forum, where the poster did swap some parts but as others have mentioned it was not just a Saturday afternoon project.  IIRC, it was a bit involved.

Since you are considering swapping to an OD trans then why not step up to a better rear axle ? Even without the trans swap a later an Explorer or Cherokee assembly is a fairly cheap swap and relieves you of the drum removal/brake adjusting hassle that the stock unit is famous for, not to mention the availability of parts.

[nonstop]

as the 65 used non tapered axles and the 65 drums will retrofit to earlier years..you should go a bit further in detailing your steps in answering this question..it is as you state not just a bolt in and is a bit invasive..a few more of the details may or may not give confidence to the next man wanting to do the same

 

 

Sorry about that, I was posting quickly.

 

I copied this from the other post I did on this:

 

Backing plates were off of a 65 Coronet. I used the plates, drums, and shoes (along with the other small parts). I used them because they were free, but my guess is most anything with an 8 3/4 rear is probably similar. But I am probably wrong. Anyway, I stripped off the old brakes and backing plates. Holding up the new plates, the bottom 3 bolt holes lined up with the housing flange. I could have drilled the backing plates for the upper 2 holes, but drilled the housing flanges as they seemed to have more meat. I also drilled the shims to the backing plate pattern. Sounds like a pain, but was pretty easy actually. I then mounted it up as follows:

Housing flange

Then shims

Then bearing retainers,

Then backing plates.

I used the axle seals for my year (1954), and pressed them into the bearing retainers. The reason for the bearing retainers before the backing plates was to keep the pre load on the bearings. The hole in the backing plate was wider the size of the bearing, which could potentially mess up the pre load.

I separated the drums from the flanges. I mounted the flanges to the axles. The drums slid right over, and the rear brakes are working awesome!

The mounting will be different since you are using bolts, mine used studs. I used studs that were a different number than what was on the crankshaft coalition site. The studs had a long enough shoulder that they centered the drums.

The biggest problem I found was finding the bearing retainers. I could not find places that sold them by themselves.

Hopefully that was clear, please ask if you have any questions.

It really IS easy!          

 

I took pictures, and will try to post them tonight.

 

I used my original axles too.

Edited September 11, 2014 by nonstop

[Robert Horne]

Robert, have you any pics of the adapter you made for the driveshaft? I need to do the same for a temporary set up. Need to mate the stock drive shaft to the Explorer rear end so I can move the car around the barnyard and test out new braking system. 

 

I made the driveshat/rearend adapter from a piece of aluminum,

 

just to try out the stock rear, 3.9.....

 

Worked at 50mph with a quick built shortened Ranger driveshaft....

[Young Ed]

Somewhere on this forum a long time ago someone swapped early mustang brakes onto the factory axle housing I believe.