TC rear axle setup in '83 LS

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TC rear axle setup in '83 LS

November 11, 2005, 03:29:17 PM

Hey all,
Well, I'm seeing that I will probably have more luck finding an '87/'88 TC disc brake rear axle setup for my '83 LS than an '88 XR7 8.8 drum brake axle, which I would rather have. I know this subject has been discussed to death, but what am I in for if I put a TC axle in my car? I've read threads talking about changing/modifying the parking brake setup, having to install a modulating valve for the rear discs, etc. I have met one guy who put a TC axle in a regular Fox Cougar and said all he did was bolt it up and take off, and he never had any trouble with it. Didn't do anything special for the brakes at all. I'm looking for the easiest and simplest way out, I guess. I really am just anxious to get all 4 wheels of my car on the ground finally so I can proceed to other issues. If I don't do something soon, it's gonna get way too cold to work on, and I can't exactly "roll" it inside anywhere to work on it. Any advice is appreciated.

Fordman3

P.S. Still looking for HOTROD, who had the 8.8 XR7 drum axle for sale a couple months ago. If anybody has any clues about him, please let me know. Thanks.

TC rear axle setup in '83 LS

Reply #1 – November 14, 2005, 01:04:32 PM

Bump!

I'm afraid I shouldn't ask this question, but what is the worst that can happen if I simply bolt up a TC rear and do nothing to the braking system (modulator valve, etc)? No stoppie at all, or just a little tougher to stoppie? Thanks for the advice.

Fordman3

TC rear axle setup in '83 LS

Reply #2 – November 14, 2005, 01:08:17 PM

It will stop worse since you won't get enough pressure/flow to operate the rear disks. At a minumum you need to get a prop block from a TC or gut the original prob block and install an adjustable prop valve....

TC rear axle setup in '83 LS

Reply #3 – November 14, 2005, 05:31:32 PM

ChuckW,
First off, post #200! I know that is nowhere near the majority of you, but hey, it's a milestone for me! Back to business, though. A proportioning valve was what I was trying to say; I don't know where "modulating valve" came from, but I just kept continuing to write it. How hard are the modifications you describe, both option 1 and 2? I may be able to get the prop valve from the donor TC if I know exactly what to ask for and know how to remove it. The seller, I don't believe, would know a prop valve from a hole in the ground, but then again, at this point I don't either. Is option 1 simpler than option 2? If I went with option 2, what all would that entail? Where does one get an aftermarket prop valve, and/or know what size/spec to get? Sorry for the barrage of questions, but I stand to possibly win this rear end on Ebay within a matter of hours and don't want to make a big mistake. Thanks again, Chuck.

Fordman3

TC rear axle setup in '83 LS

Reply #4 – November 14, 2005, 05:58:27 PM

Well, there should be a small brass block that the brake lines from the master cylinder go into, and then to the brakes. This is the proportioning block. Even if the donor has ABS, it should still be there (I've never had an 87-88TC..so I'm not 100% certain).

If it's there, grab it and plumb it into your car in place of the one you have.

If it's not there, you need to gut the one on your car. There is a big "nut" on the front of it. Remove it and pull all the springs and such out. The PITA about gutting the stock valve is that you need to but a blank plug to go back in there. You can get them from FRPP dealers, but they are hard to find. You'll then need to plumb in an adjustable proprotioning valve to adjust the rear line pressure so the rear brakes don't lock up before the fronts.

A place like Stainless Steel Brakes mighht have something useable as well.

TC rear axle setup in '83 LS

Reply #5 – November 23, 2005, 08:11:28 AM

You know...I don't know why this didn't hit me earlier. Use the axles and drums off an 83-85 TB/C if you really want to keep the drums for the ease of the swap. The TC 8.8 housing is the same width as the 83-85 TB/C 7.5 one (ie Mustang width) and the axles are the same length. You should have plenty of those available I would imagine. You could even snag a Fox Mustang 8.8 rear axle as well and TB/C swap axles & drums the same way.

You could always sell off the TC disk brake parts to recoup a little money as well.