Fox Body Rear End Axles and Brake Options

[JayhawkDuke]

I’m sure there are threads on this already…I just couldn’t find them. I have a fox body rear end out of an ‘87 Mustang. I don’t have any drive shafts, and I’m not sure what drive shafts or rear brake kit to get. I have 17” wheels, so I’d like to go with bigger brakes.

I appreciate the help pointing me in the right direction!

Thanks,
Duke

[Norm B]

Are your wheels 4 lug or 5 lug? Do a search for disc brake conversion kits if that is what you’re asking.
I believe these guys are still forum vendors https://www.northracecars.com/c-clip_brakes.html

HTH
Norm

[Mastertech5]

Almost every supplier has disc brake and 5 lug axle conversion kits. I got axles and a limited slip diff. for my '89 rearend from Amazon. Just pick a name brand. I went with 31 spline axles so I had to get a new diff. to match. They will handle about 30% more torque. If your getting new gears, stick with Ford racing. They are much easier to set up because you can use the pinion shim on your current pinion gear. The shim is set for the housing variances not the gears. Then you just have to set the gear backlash. Aftermarket gear sets usually require measuring pinion depth from the centerline of the diff., special tools. The pinion shim is under the pressed on bearing abutting the pinion gear so it needs to be pulled off. A dealer or good performance shop should be able to do it. Rearend repairs such as this is kind of like finding an automatic trans tech. They are getting harder to find in these replace the assembly days.

[CaptB]

I've found more luck using google for the term and adding factory five forum to it. The search capability for this site sucks.

Reach out to Gordon Levy Racing (520) 494-2745, he can help you.

[Dgc333]

I purchased the 5 lug conversion axles from Late Model Restorations (LMR.com). They came as a kit with new axle bearings and seals. They were under $300.00 and were advertised to be made of better material giving them a 25% strength advantage.

Since I have no plans to ever go near a track I went for 94 Mustang GT brakes. I got coated rotors, rebuilt calipers and ceramic pads from Rock Auto. I also purchased Mustang GT emergency brake cables from Rock Auto.

The brackets to attach the calipers to the axle housing were sourced from eBay.

The drive shaft should have come with the kit. Unless you have an odd engine tranny combo they will provide one of the correct length for your combo.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Hit the "EASY" button and contact Richard Oben at North Racecars.

https://www.northracecars.com/c-clip_brakes.html

Jeff

[JayhawkDuke]

Thanks for the pointers...it looks like the conversion kit on LMR actually comes from North Racecars. Do you know if anybody uses the SN95 cobra brakes? Do those even fit? I also don't plan on hitting the track, so the GT brakes are probably fine. It looks like the brackets are different if you go Cobra or GT brakes in the back.

[Norm B]

I believe there are three different bracket, rotor and calliper options available. There are a set for 15 inch wheels, a larger set for the GT and then the Cobra set. I know the GT setup fits under 17 inch wheels. Not sure about the Cobra rotors and callipers. The brackets are all different so don’t try to mix and match.

Norm

[gbranham]

Hit the "EASY" button and contact Richard Oben at North Racecars.

https://www.northracecars.com/c-clip_brakes.html

Jeff

x2 on North Racecars. That's what I used on my MkIII...easy button, for sure. And he's in Lee's Summit, if you're local to KC (assuming maybe since Jayhawk!)

Greg