Your opinions?

[Ranger850]

So, this guy over at InfamousNissan.com is putting an LS chevy into his D21. But we were discussing his rear end. Rear axle is out of an Explorer. He was discussing that he wanted corvette brakes, and I mentioned since he had a Ford rear end, why not go with ford brakes, so he did. He got rear calipers from a Cobra, and is going to weld them to the axle because the expo axle is thicker than the Mustang axle. My question is, Why not just use the Expo brakes with the expo axle?

 

[Dirtman]

Cause then he wouldn't have big red calipers that say "cobra" on them.

Considering the expo weighs quite a bit more than a mustang, I would bet the explorer brakes are actually stronger than the cobra brakes. But I've never really looked at the two side by side. There are explorer EBC performance kits available for the rears as well.

So... yea stupid and pointless in my opinion.

 

[Ranger850]

Cause then he wouldn't have big red calipers that say "cobra" on them.

But his motor says "Chevy". Those Nissan guys really love to crossbreed. They will use any part from any vehicle. I think the "Donor Car" approach is the best. That way you have a lot of parts that are compatible.
Chevy Motor, Expo Axle, Mustang Brakes in a Nissan Hardbody.

 

[Dirtman]

Just did some quick half assed research... explorer brakes are 12", cobras are 11.5"... calipers look pretty much identical.

 

[Ranger850]

Seems about right, the Expo is a heavier beast.

 

[ericbphoto]

It's a shame Nissan doesn't make anything for them to rob parts from. At least for us, we can get most of our stuff from other Ford vehicles and keep our trucks mostly or completely Ford.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

But his motor says "Chevy". Those Nissan guys really love to crossbreed. They will use any part from any vehicle. I think the "Donor Car" approach is the best. That way you have a lot of parts that are compatible.
Chevy Motor, Expo Axle, Mustang Brakes in a Nissan Hardbody.

That sounds... boring.

All my stuff is Ford. 1987 engine, 2004 transmission, 1977 t-case, 1995 front axle, 1996 rear axle...

I don't know how bolt on the Explorer brakes are for axles that were originally drum brakes, that would be something I would check into before forming too much of an opinion on it.

 

[snoranger]

That sounds... boring.

All my stuff is Ford. 1987 engine, 2004 transmission, 1977 t-case, 1995 front axle, 1996 rear axle...

I don't know how bolt on the Explorer brakes are for axles that were originally drum brakes, that would be something I would check into before forming too much of an opinion on it.

Explorer discs are bolt on replacements for Explorer drums.


Cobras use a bigger non vented rotor and a 38mm piston.
The Explorer uses a smaller diameter rotor and a 48mm piston.

 

[scotts90ranger]

yeah, I bought an axle to do a disc swap on my Ranger with Explorer axle, ended up $40 ahead after selling the reassembled axle...