[Oldmics]

The Edsel parts book that I have specs part# B7A 1102 B for my wagon.

I measured a drum that is off of my Edsel and it is the same as you have measuring 11" X 3". Actually just slightly short of the 3"but close enough to call it a 3"

The same part#B7A 1102 B is called for in my 57 Ford parts book for Police/taxicab installations which are supposedly also 3" wide brake shoes.

No specific listing for brakes on the Ranchero in the 57 parts book.

Now in my newest Ford parts book (49-59) it lists hub and drum assembly front as part# COAA 1102-C as an 11" I.D. using a 2 1/2" brake surface.

COAA 1102-C is utilised on the 57-59 Police Interceptor and Taxicab applications as well as the 58 Thunderbird.

I"m pretty sure the COAA 1102-C superseeded the B7A 1102 B part#

I believe its a safe bet that this COAA 1102-C assembly is the ticket for both of us.

Time to start diggin for 58-59 T Bird front end assemblys.

As far as the Ranchero being born with those parts-I believe that it could have been ordered with the heavy duty brakes as an option,perhaps the Ranchero did have the H.D. brakes as a standard feature since it was a heavy duty hauling truck kinda vehicle.
Heavy loads would have required better braking systems.

I can say for sure that the 3" wide brakes were availiable.

Oldmics