Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

The car came with rear disc brake set up just don't know of what, it has a nine in under car.  Need Id the calipers so I can get new hose.

They look like there from a 1977 Lincoln Versailles.

Guys at napa today show me pic from a 1976 tbird with nine inch and rear disc

I would second the Versailles.  I bought one to install in the '69 Fastback as it is a direct install.  The calipers were very odd in the way they bolted on.  We ended up ditching the brakes, narrowing the rear and installing '05 Mustang GT rear brakes.  Easier to get parts and the aftermarket is alot bigger for those brakes.

Darren

Is there a bracket you get off the 05 and just switch them out, so I can mount the calibers?  Newer Calibers sound good, but i will use this for now and look for other later.  How much is it to narrow up a 9in you think?

No.  The axle housing ends on the Versailles are pretty unique.  We narrowed the rear end and change the bearing ends.

Darren

Would this work too?  I know the rear end is little wider than stock hope I don't have a wheel selection problem

http://www.currieenterprises.com/cestore/productsRE.aspx?id=2054

Is the Versailles rear already installed in a car?  If is it or is not installed what car is it installed in or are you wanting to install it into?

Darren

Yes already in the 83 thunderbird.

Well then the spring perches are long cut off and it has all of the brackets on it for the four link.  What you have to know is what size axle bearing the rear end has as there were two different ones.  There are three patterns on the axle  which will let you know what you have:

"Small Bearing" - 3.375" by 2.000" pattern
"Early Big Bearing" - 3.500" by 2.375" pattern
"Late Big Bearing" - 3.562" by 2.000" pattern

Here is a good page so you can see what I am talking about:

http://www.steeltechsolutions.com/REAR_AXLE_ID.html

What you are hoping for on yours is the "Late Big Bearing" as that is what the Explorer uses so you could use the M-2300-G2 kit and put the Explorer brakes on it as another option.

Darren

I will check that out thanks, I will let you know what I have

Looks to be (late) by the measurement

I took wrong pics, disregard the pics

I measure the ends at 3.5 x 2

I would say that the Explorer brakes would work then.  That would be your easy solution and they are far more abundant than the Cobra parts.  I would think you could get all of it out of a salvage yard for cheap.

Darren

nine inch little wide

Three choices there:

1) Change the wheels to an offset that moves the tires inboard.
2) Swap rear ends to a 94-98 Mustang GT rear end
3) Narrow the existing rear end

All of which are not cheap but the cheapest would be to get different offset rear wheels.  If you choose this route wait until you swap in the Explorer rear brakes and then see if that changes anything.  It should not but better safe than sorry.

Darren

Darren

I might sell and do the rear end later, is what I was thinking.

Darren I was ready over this and do you think I will need a special bracket to fit the explorer calibers on there?  I having a problem with a sticking rear left side, so I was thinking of doing the explorer calibers, but unsure if its a direct bolt on kit.