• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

disk brake conversion


sliding 2.9 89

New Member
Joined
May 8, 2008
Messages
86
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Vehicle Year
1989
Make / Model
ford
Engine Size
2.9
Transmission
Manual
i was on the tech page and i would like to do that to my truck but i want to kno what truck or car that i need to take the bick brakes off of. please help
 


holyford86

Some guy with a problem
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
RBV's on Boost
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
2,208
Reaction score
575
Points
113
Age
37
Location
Plattsburgh, NY
Vehicle Year
many
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
7
Tire Size
33x12.50R15
a complete rear axle out of a 95+ explorer will net you disk brakes with mini drum parking brakes, 31 spline axleshafts, and 3 more inches of width than your stock 7.5. you have to relocate the stock spring perches to the top of the axle though unless you want to go spring under, which would be way better for combating axlewrap.
 

AllanD

TRS Technical Staff
TRS Technical Advisor
Joined
Jun 1, 2001
Messages
7,897
Reaction score
134
Points
63
Age
62
Location
East-Central Pennsylvania
Vehicle Year
1987... sorta
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
'93 4.0
Transmission
Manual
There is NO disc brake setup that is a simple direct bolt-on fit for a Ranger rear axle.

The rear axles that used the same bolt pattern for the brake backing plate used an axle flange that is spaced 3/4" further out from the brake mounting flange.

The Explorer used a different brake flange bolt pattern.

The honest easiest way to put disc brakes on a Ranger other than buying an aftermarket kit is to weld spring and shock brackets to a 95-up explorer axle.

And the Explorer axle has the advantage of using COMMON AS DIRT(and more important to ford purists) FORD parts.

the aftermarket kits from stainless steel brake corp usually use an "oddball"
brake rotor and a GM caliper that uses a cable to direct actuate the pads

that throws away the biggest advantage of the explorer setup,
the fact that the service brake and the parking brake are completely
seperate.

AD

AD
 

Evan

New Member
Joined
Aug 11, 2007
Messages
1,373
Reaction score
5
Points
0
Location
Stevens Point, WI
Vehicle Year
1991
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0 OHV
Transmission
Manual
The yard around here (Stevens Point, WI) sells 31-spline 8.8s with discs, LSD, and 4.10s for $199. For that price I couldn't justify the cost of a disc brake conversion kit.
 

mjonesjr

I dance with the Devil...
Firefighter
Forum Staff - Retired
Joined
Feb 6, 2004
Messages
4,967
Reaction score
13
Points
0
Age
39
Location
Salem, IN
Transmission
Automatic
There is NO disc brake setup that is a simple direct bolt-on fit for a Ranger rear axle.

The rear axles that used the same bolt pattern for the brake backing plate used an axle flange that is spaced 3/4" further out from the brake mounting flange.

The Explorer used a different brake flange bolt pattern.

The honest easiest way to put disc brakes on a Ranger other than buying an aftermarket kit is to weld spring and shock brackets to a 95-up explorer axle.

And the Explorer axle has the advantage of using COMMON AS DIRT(and more important to ford purists) FORD parts.

the aftermarket kits from stainless steel brake corp usually use an "oddball"
brake rotor and a GM caliper that uses a cable to direct actuate the pads

that throws away the biggest advantage of the explorer setup,
the fact that the service brake and the parking brake are completely
seperate.

AD

AD
Actually Allan, you can use the disc brake setup out if a Grand Marquis. They have a 8.8 28 spline that is coil sprung. It is almost 100% bolt on.
 

AllanD

TRS Technical Staff
TRS Technical Advisor
Joined
Jun 1, 2001
Messages
7,897
Reaction score
134
Points
63
Age
62
Location
East-Central Pennsylvania
Vehicle Year
1987... sorta
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
'93 4.0
Transmission
Manual
Have you personally bolted a set of Grand Marquis/Crown Vic backing plates to a Ranger rear axle?

If you have not I assure you, there will be a shock in waiting for you.

the Crown Vic Disc brake backing plates are identical to the ones on an Explorer.

the 28-spline crown Vic axle uses a brake mounting flange bolt pattern
that is the same as that used on the 31-spline Explorer axles.

I have a pair of Crown Vic backing plates here, I have them ONLY because
I want to use the their smaller dust shields on my Explorer axle.

This will involve removing rivets because there are other differences...
Like on the crown vic BOTH brake backing plates are the SAME.
they are essentially both "left side" explorer pieces and this places
one caliper behind the axle (the left) and the other
(passenger side) in front of the axle.

AD
 

mjonesjr

I dance with the Devil...
Firefighter
Forum Staff - Retired
Joined
Feb 6, 2004
Messages
4,967
Reaction score
13
Points
0
Age
39
Location
Salem, IN
Transmission
Automatic
I will post the link for you of someone who has. There was only slight modification to them to make them fit.
 

AllanD

TRS Technical Staff
TRS Technical Advisor
Joined
Jun 1, 2001
Messages
7,897
Reaction score
134
Points
63
Age
62
Location
East-Central Pennsylvania
Vehicle Year
1987... sorta
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
'93 4.0
Transmission
Manual
That "slight modification" will involve welding.

because the "pilot" on the brake mounting flange is smaller meaning that
the Vic/Explorer backing plate won't be properly centered AND the bolts
holes don't line up.

Trust me I've tried it, it doesn't work.

AD
 

rat_ranger

December 2009 STOTM Winner
U.S. Military - Active
MTOTM Winner
Joined
Dec 26, 2007
Messages
273
Reaction score
2
Points
0
Age
39
Location
moving with the army
Vehicle Year
2003
Make / Model
ford
Engine Size
2.3 duratec
Transmission
Manual
disk backing plates from northracecars bolts right on with no modifications. I am running them on my truck just check my car domain. it uses mustang calipers and rotors.
 

AllanD

TRS Technical Staff
TRS Technical Advisor
Joined
Jun 1, 2001
Messages
7,897
Reaction score
134
Points
63
Age
62
Location
East-Central Pennsylvania
Vehicle Year
1987... sorta
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
'93 4.0
Transmission
Manual
What I'd like to see is an aftermarket backing plate to use explorer rotors calipers and parking brakes.

"Mustang" calipers is a problem for me, not because of availability of the
calipers, but do to the fact that if anyone has EVER made a caliper that
incorporates an integral parking brake that didn't SUCK I've never heard of it...


AD
 

Xploda

New Member
Joined
Jan 6, 2009
Messages
135
Reaction score
1
Points
0
Location
Milton,Wa
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
2.3 soon to be turbo
Transmission
Manual
Mr Allan sir please just use a block a wood. :p naw I was gonna do the swap on my explorer but kinda been lazy to rip it apart right now. I was gonna do the 95+ exp swap like mentioned earlier.
 

85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,207
Reaction score
17,523
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
If you use it a lot the Ford mini-drum parking break is great. If you don't and suddenly decide you need it... it will likely stay on when you release it.
 

AllanD

TRS Technical Staff
TRS Technical Advisor
Joined
Jun 1, 2001
Messages
7,897
Reaction score
134
Points
63
Age
62
Location
East-Central Pennsylvania
Vehicle Year
1987... sorta
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
'93 4.0
Transmission
Manual
If you use it a lot the Ford mini-drum parking break is great. If you don't and suddenly decide you need it... it will likely stay on when you release it.
What jams on the Explorer parking brake is the lever that the cable pulls on.

a little white lube prevents that.

IF it jams disassembly and lubrication will fix it.

I LIKE that the parking brake doesn't depend on the service brake

Also remember that on conventional caliper-based parking brake
systems the common failure is the internal self-adjuster and when
those fail they often prevent the service brake from functioning correctly

AD
 

85_Ranger4x4

Forum Staff Member
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 7, 2007
Messages
32,207
Reaction score
17,523
Points
113
Location
SW Iowa
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
For those with an automatic they are a time bomb, you hardly ever use them... and when you do they can be counted on to stick if you do.

Now if you have a stick, chances are they never get a chance to freeze up.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top