anyone know if there are any kits or anything out there to convert your rear drums to disks

 

I would just see if a junk yard has a complete assembly first. Other than that, try the dealer for all parts needed, but ripping everything off a used one is probably cheaper. Because you have a fairly common rear end, either an 8.8" or a Dana 60 (9.75"), you didn't specify, but there is kits for both by all kinds of companies.

 

I have a 1997 f150 4x4. My differential is roaring and I was told the repair costs could be $1200. I decided to find one out of a salvage yard. Luckily i found one but it has disk brakes (mine are drum). It is out of a 2003 (same ratio and size - 8.8) and from what I can tell with measuring and observation it's is verbatum. I will be installing within the next couple of weeks and will post my results. By the way, it cost me only $350.00 and it had less than 10,000 miles. i think the average salvage costs is about $500 to $700 and who knows the milage. In searching I got a lot of 89,000 miles which must be an industry default. you just have to shop and negotiate.
One thing I saw when comparing the two differentials, The flange where the backing plate bolts were different on my 97 drum and the 2003 disc. I could not take my drum brakes and install on the 2003 disk rear end nor could I use the disc system on my drum rearend. This may just be a year difference thing. I've heard that people have upgraded to disc using the differential from same year Expedition.

Thanks,
Dan Benson

Thanks,
Dan Benson