TC 8.8, 10" drums

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TC 8.8, 10" drums

May 19, 2012, 12:37:14 PM

After some studying of the charts, I think this can be done.
The overall axle lengths are the same, but the TC rear is .5" narrower than the 7.5 Sport rear.

So could I use some sort of spacer (.25" per side) to get the correct distance?

I also see that the '85 and older 7.5 rears had the same width as the 8.8, but I'm not sure if they ever came with the 10" drums...guess I need to look up part numbers..

I'm going to mock up the parts later, as I have all the stuff here, back plates, brake shoes, drums, hardware, etc.

If it looks like it'll be possible, I should be able to use Ranger drums and go 5 lug out back too.

I'm probably one of 2 or 3 people who want drums and a TC 8.8 :D

TC 8.8, 10" drums

Reply #1 – May 19, 2012, 01:00:26 PM

7.5's did come with 10" drums, on the Sports and Cougars with the towing package. My Sport had 10" drums, and my'87 XR7 did also.

TC 8.8, 10" drums

Reply #2 – May 19, 2012, 01:50:39 PM

My car has the 10" drums as well...

TC 8.8, 10" drums

Reply #3 – May 19, 2012, 06:34:11 PM

My Sport did as well, but now I have the TC 8.8 rear installed, but since I have everything for the drum brake stuff sitting here, was wanting to use that with the TC rear.

TC 8.8, 10" drums

Reply #4 – May 19, 2012, 09:07:13 PM

Maybe use the shafts from the Mustang they should be shorter, course then you'd have 4 lug again.

TC 8.8, 10" drums

Reply #5 – May 19, 2012, 11:07:04 PM

Call up Moser.

TC 8.8, 10" drums

Reply #6 – May 19, 2012, 11:50:15 PM

Like I said, spacers....................

TC 8.8, 10" drums

Reply #7 – May 19, 2012, 11:51:45 PM

I've got an 88 XR7 8.8 rear with 10" drums sitting in my garage. If you need any measurements let me know. I'm not selling it as I plan to use it since my 7.5 rear with 10" drums probably should be replaced.

TC 8.8, 10" drums

Reply #8 – May 20, 2012, 12:48:48 AM

Here's the verdict: with spacers around 1/4 to 5/16" thick, everything appears like it will line up and fit perfectly. Of course, if one had the '85 and down 10" brake backing plates, this would be nil, as those have the proper offset to negate the narrower rear. Or so I'd believe, anyway. Would be awesome if someone who had a set of each could take a couple of pictures with the drum off to verify that there are 2 different backing plates for the different width rears. I think this, because the drums themselves have the same part number, so the backing plates have to be different.

Lou, if you could send me a close up pic of the outside of the backing plates on your drum 8.8 that would be awesome...I could compare your pic with my setup and determine from that.

I knocked off the abs exciter from my TC axle, tomorrow I will do the same to my SN95 axles and mock it up, but I'm certain it will be the same thing, will need the b/p spaced out 1/4 or so, as well.
Now if I just had a pair of Ranger drums and some friction modifier, I'd have my rear done with 5 lug and drums. Oh well, it'll be done next weekend, if I can figure out what to use for spacers.

The reason for this hassle is simple. I don't have a lot of money to get new calipers, and a master cylinder, plus, I had the drums and all the hardware that goes with them sitting here boxed up in my storage. I even have the Sn95 Stang axles...all I need now are the Ranger 5 lug drums. I also want to keep the rear track width the same, hence the TC and SN95 axles. I would have went with Mark VII stuff, but the last few times I went to the parts yard, there were none there. I used to see 2 or 3 every trip...anyway, I owe Vinnie a big thanks, he called it right, when I PM'd him about it, because I knew he had or did have a TC 8.8 with drums...he mentioned spacers for the back plates and he hit the bullseye.

On a completely unrelated note, I also discovered that the Stang 8.8 that was in my Tbird before I picked up my TC rear is also 3.55 geared. It's stamped in the pinion and the ring gear...win!
Here's a couple of pics of the gap between drum and plate:

TC 8.8, 10" drums

Reply #9 – May 20, 2012, 08:37:21 AM

Looking good!! Where there's a will, there's a way.

TC 8.8, 10" drums

Reply #10 – May 20, 2012, 06:16:22 PM

After some more eyeballing and measuring, I'm not so sure it's going to work. Unless I could find a set of backing plates from an '83-'85 car with 10" drums...
And I'm not sure if the Ranger 10" drums will correspond to the Sport's 10" backing plates. I know the 9" stuff is interchangeable, but not sure on the 10" sets.

As far as the spacer part is concerned, it'll need to be machined to be sure the b/p doesn't rotate or move...the hole in the center is a little bigger than the axe tube, and then on the tube itself there's a little step to "center" it.
I don't know that I'd be comfortable with just a spacer keeping things centered, so the brakes didn't wear prematurely.

I'll probably try to snag up some Ranger drums abd backing plates (in 9") for the Sport, and a pair of driver side axles for the Stang, for a future 5 lug swap for it next weekend, if I can get a ride to the salvage yard...

I was also working on my floor jack, went to pull on a part that I thought was stuck, and wacked myself right above my left eye...what a PITA...(head, actually)...