86 8.8 five lug swap question

[Dustya]

Im goin to a 5 lug swap the question being the 1st year of 8.8 is there a difference between the 86 and 87-93 backing plate and what part number rotors do i need?

[danco86]

So you are doing a rear disc swap as well?

[Travis T]

For the rear, backing plates are the same 79-93. All Mustangs had 9" drums except 93 Cobras.

[Dustya]

For the rear, backing plates are the same 79-93. All Mustangs had 9" drums except 93 Cobras.

Thxs I figured out that early 5 lug ranger drums will do the trick

[erratic50]

Travis T - I have an early production 86 and I can tell you with absolute certainty the brakes on its original rearend and one out of an 89 were different. The 86's were smaller diameter. Few parts interchange, I swapped the entire rearend in from the 89.

[wraithracing]

Travis T - I have an early production 86 and I can tell you with absolute certainty the brakes on its original rearend and one out of an 89 were different. The 86's were smaller diameter. Few parts interchange, I swapped the entire rearend in from the 89.

First, unfortunately Travis T is no longer with us. We lost him to cancer last year. RIP Travis.

With that said, all Mustangs 79-93 with the exception of the SVO, Saleens, and the 93 Cobra use 9" rear drum brakes with most listed as 9" x 1.75" shoes. I have seen some listed as 9" x 1.81" shoes, but none are larger than that. I have seen some list the drums as 11" O.D. but most list them as @ 10.63"

I have swapped countless 8.8" Mustang rear ends into 4 Eyes and I have never had any difference in the rear brakes.

Oh, I did forget, that my statement above is for the 7.5" and 8.8" rear axles. I believe in 1979 there was a 10" rear drum option, although I personally have never encountered it. I believe other Fox bodies (Fairmonts, T Birds, etc.) used the larger rear drum more often.