Rear disc brake advice needed

[AlanCasida]

I am thinking about a rear disc upgrade for the '65 Mustang. I would like some extra stopping power. You guys think it's worth the effort on a car like mine? Any recommendations? If I get a kit I'd want to get the bolt on kind with a single piston type caliper that uses OEM parts.

[machoneman]

Yes, do it!

SS Brakes rears on my '70 Stang. They use Lincoln calipers with the integral parking brake, not the ones that use a mini-drum and tiny brake shoes for the emergency brake function. Rotors are off-the shelf too. All bolt-on and easily removable if need be   to restore the OEM drums.

Now, that said, mine went on in 1994 so perhaps they have used different parts today.

Btw, Baer Brakes are great too, lighter in weight but much more pricey. 

https://ssbrakes.com/

[cammerfe]

+1 on SS Brakes. I did a one-off project some years ago and found them MOST willing to be of help. Stuff looked great when it arrived, as well.

KS

[Bolted to Floor]

Alan, I wanted the four wheel disks, so that’s the road I went down. I didn’t really consider if it was going to be a lot better option over drums.  If you go with rear discs, an adjustable proportioning valve and possibly a new master cylinder will be required.

I bought brackets from MustangSteve that allows the Mustang 05 and up rear Mustang brakes to be bolted on to your axle. There is an option for the Cobra brakes too.

https://www.mustangsteve.com/product-category/rear-disc-brake-conversion-brackets/

This direction will require a new set of axle bearings to get the mounting plates installed. The hat style rotor will add close to a ¼” of track with on each side. And the calipers will stick out past the mounting pad for the wheel. I forget the term for the space from the mounting pad to the back side of the wheel spokes, but it needs to be about ¾” to have sufficient space.

The Explorer rear disks might be an option too. These will be some of the mini drum versions Machoneman referred to for the parking brake. The backing plates should bolt onto a big bearing housing.

I have instructions and mounting brackets that came with the Ford Racing M-2300-G2 disc brake kit I got from Blue Oval Industries years ago. I also have a set of Explorer backing plates with the parking brake hardware and calipers that I don’t need. If you are interested in any of the stuff, send me a PM.

[Falcon67]

> You guys think it's worth the effort on a car like mine?

No, I don't.  I've got two race cars that run rear front 11" single piston disks and 2 x 10 rear drums and the rears haven't needed servicing is many years.  BTW, none of that is power brakes and they cars have no problem with stopping.  75+% of your braking is done by the front.  If you want 'em, go for it.  As far as just putting on rear disks for extra stopping power - meh.  You should then rip it all out and go with a complete system from nose to tail including a power master, the correct brake pedal, etc, etc.  If you've got the finds and find a kit you like, no real downside to doing the change. 

As far as OEM, most of the lower priced kits use a specific fabbed bracket to mount a GM type rear caliper.  Depends on the ends on the rear housing and the axle hat offset. 

[TomP]

I prefer the simpler and much cheaper MustangSteve setups, they use easy to get replacement parts not some obscure 1970's Lincoln or Caddy stuff you would have a hard time replacing.

 I used some F100 place's kit to put discs on the front of a 66 F100. Works fine but nobody can tell me what pads fit those damned GM calipers... nothing I can buy fits without a couple hours of belt sander thinning. GRR !!!

[67428GT500]

If you go disc, you're going to have to change the master, rear lines on the housing and an adjustable proportioning valve to do it right.
on my 1967 Shelby, I have factory power brakes with KH four-piston calipers on the front and 11X2.5 drums on the rear. The car needs more stopping power for street use. Especially in areas with a lot of congestion. If you're in BFE or making passes at the strip, the factory stuff will suffice.
The rear would probably be fine, but the front isn't getting it done and I also have Hawk performance pads on the front.

                                                                                      -Keith