Explorer disc brakes on 9"

[mc1984ss]

I just picked up a bare 9" housing for a car I'm working on and want to keep the rear disc conversion in budget. Quick performance and currie both offer a explorer type rear disc setup for a great price. Any reason not to go this route? It is not a pro touring car. Thank you in advance!

[79 Camaro]

I would check with Tobin over on Kore3.com. Not a 9" but I swapped a 8.8 Ford Explorer into my 98 Wrangler LS6 swapped and they have worked well for over 15 years.
Another option but not cheap is from Tobin is a Corvette rear disc brake conversion for a Ford 9". I did that on a 67 Nova LS project and it worked perfect.

[streetk14]

My Firebird has had the Explorer brakes from Currie on the rear since sometime around 2004. They’ve been as reliable as can be, and plenty of stopping power for a street car. I’ve considered upgrading, but I like that with the 11” rotor I can still run a 15” slick if I want.

[thinkfastroth]

You might try Mustang Steve and see if he has bracket kit.

[mc1984ss]

Thank you everyone! I have seen brackets for the Corvette calipers. I forgot to mention I need to fit in 15" wheels.

[79 Camaro]

One of the nice things about the Explorer rear discs is that they have a built in e-brake.

[toddz69]

I've used the Explorer stuff on my 9" as since about 2003? Not a high speed track car but heavy with large tires (Bronco) and it works well. Be sure and check what ends you have on your 9" housing. The Explorer stuff works on the late model big bearing (aka Torino) housing ends. Some have modified the backing plates to work with the early/standard big bearing as well. Dutchman at one time sold the stuff modified for the standard big bearing but not anymore afaik. Brake offset is supposed to be 2.5" although Currie has noted in the past that they'll work with smaller offsets like 2 3/8" - you just have to keep an eye on pad wear so the caliper stays on its bracketry. I love that the Explorer stuff is still very plentiful in the junkyards. Rotors/calipers are cheap. Currie sells a set of Lokar e-brake cables that work really well too.

Todd Z.

Edit - looks like Quick Performance specifies that theirs work on small bearing rear ends too. Note that Currie recently introduced retainer plates that have the previously used spacer rings incorporated into them so that's handy - less of a monkey and the football exercise to keep everything in place when you're trying to get the nuts onto the t-bolts.

[mc1984ss]

The quick performance explorer disc brake kit is the best price I can find. The only drawback I know of is the size of the pilot hole in the rotors. From what I've read it might be different than what's "normal"

[mc1984ss]

Does anyone know the difference between the currie kit and the quick performance kit?

[CSG]

I have a rear 9" brake kit that I am not using. I don't recall if it is for a large or small bearing.

[toddz69]

Does anyone know the difference between the currie kit and the quick performance kit?

The last time I compared them, they were identical. However, I just looked at the Currie website and I can't even find brake kits on their website anymore (they were there a few weeks ago). They seem to be removing more and more stuff from their website all the time.

Todd Z.

[mc1984ss]

CSG, is the kit for sale? Do you have any more info? Thank you

[CSG]

CSG, is the kit for sale? Do you have any more info? Thank you
Yes, I'll dig it out this evening and take some pics. From what I recall it is a baer kit with drilled rotors, caliper brackets & some type of retrofitted OE caliper.

[CSG]

I got side tracked & forgot to get pics, I will attempt again...

[CSG]

208691208692208693

Took a few pics of the rears I have. I also have front 13" Baer (PBR) for a 69 Camaro spindle.

[toddz69]

Yeah, that's the kit that Baer sold for years with the PBR single piston calipers (original application is 93-97 Camaro). The bolt patterns on the retainer plate look like it's for the regular big bearing and the late model big bearing (Torino) ends, but a tape measure will confirm.

Todd Z.

[mc1984ss]

Thanks csg I sent you a message