Front Disk recommendation for my 96 3.0L 2WD please

[98v70dad]

Today my plan was to just replace the front pads on my Ranger because it was time. I paid someone to do my last brake job because my dad was sick (stroke) and I didn't have time to deal with it. I was appalled by the condition of my rotors today when I got in there. They are severely pitted with deep deep pits. The guy who did the job must have used absolute crap. In 50 years of working on cars I've never seen such a mess. Anyhow, I slapped in the new (high quality Bosch) pads because I didn't have much of a choice. So now I need to get some decent rotors for my truck. I usually shop at Rock Auto and would like to hear your thoughts - what rotors on Rock Auto (or elsewhere) are a good value?

 

[sgtsandman]

Today my plan was to just replace the front pads on my Ranger because it was time. I paid someone to do my last brake job because my dad was sick (stroke) and I didn't have time to deal with it. I was appalled by the condition of my rotors today when I got in there. They are severely pitted with deep deep pits. The guy who did the job must have used absolute crap. In 50 years of working on cars I've never seen such a mess. Anyhow, I slapped in the new (high quality Bosch) pads because I didn't have much of a choice. So now I need to get some decent rotors for my truck. I usually shop at Rock Auto and would like to hear your thoughts - what rotors on Rock Auto (or elsewhere) are a good value?

I've had good luck with OEM. Rock Auto normally has them available. The OEM parts won't always be the cheapest but they usually seem to hold up the best over time. I've tried aftermarket on my rear discs and they didn't seem to hold up as well compared to the OEM. Based on my experience with that, I went OEM when it came time to change the front ones. Of course, the rear discs catch all the road spray and crap kicked up by the front tires. So, they inherently rust out a lot quicker but as a result, I've gotten a chance to compare OEM vs aftermarket over a few brake changes on the truck since new and OEM have held out longer.

 

[98v70dad]

I've had good luck with OEM. Rock Auto normally has them available. The OEM parts won't always be the cheapest but they usually seem to hold up the best over time. I've tried aftermarket on my rear discs and they didn't seem to hold up as well compared to the OEM. Based on my experience with that, I went OEM when it came time to change the front ones. Of course, the rear discs catch all the road spray and crap kicked up by the front tires. So, they inherently rust out a lot quicker but as a result, I've gotten a chance to compare OEM vs aftermarket over a few brake changes on the truck since new and OEM have held out longer.

Thanks. My truck is getting pretty old and RockAuto doesn't always have Motorcraft parts for it anymore. I usually buy Motorcraft if I have a choice. If I remember right RockAuto may have had a Motorcraft front disk but its for a 4x4 and I didn't take the time to figure out if it would fit my truck. I was appalled at the condition of my rotors. I'm in Atlanta and stuff only gets a surface bloom of rust here. Cars can last nearly forever here. I've never seen rotors deeply pitted like mine are. I don't drive the truck much. I'm origionally from around Pittsburgh and up there that amount of corrosion wouldn't have surprised me.

Anyhow, I usually choose my own replacement parts but apparently there is some real garbage to avoid and they all look the same. Hopefully, I'll get some more good comments.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Last time I bought front brake parts... I bought PowerStop. It was a really good deal with powder coated calipers and upgraded ceramic pads.

 

[sgtsandman]

Thanks. My truck is getting pretty old and RockAuto doesn't always have Motorcraft parts for it anymore. I usually buy Motorcraft if I have a choice. If I remember right RockAuto may have had a Motorcraft front disk but its for a 4x4 and I didn't take the time to figure out if it would fit my truck. I was appalled at the condition of my rotors. I'm in Atlanta and stuff only gets a surface bloom of rust here. Cars can last nearly forever here. I've never seen rotors deeply pitted like mine are. I don't drive the truck much. I'm origionally from around Pittsburgh and up there that amount of corrosion wouldn't have surprised me.

Anyhow, I usually choose my own replacement parts but apparently there is some real garbage to avoid and they all look the same. Hopefully, I'll get some more good comments.

Well, guess where I live!

Yeah, the 4X4 rotors will not fit a RWD. The hub and bearing set up is different. The Power Stop suggestion is a good one. I pulled up the list for your year and engine. I don't know if you have four wheel ABS or not. So, I'm winging it. I see Bendix and Raybestos. Those brands are usually pretty decent. I see Centric as well. I think I've used them in the past and they have been ok.

The only Motorcraft I see is for four wheel ABS. If I remember correctly, but check me on that, you can run an ABS rotor on a non ABS Ranger. I did not see Power Stop as an option.

 

[Bill]

Power Stop has limited options for 1996. I don't think you are going to find much difference between Motorcraft, Bendix, Raybestos, or other rotors in the daily driver section on Rockauto. Any of the name brand brake pads will be fine. Power Stop, Bosch, Akebono, etc.

I replaced my pads and rotors last fall. I used Centric Premium rotors and Power Stop Z36 pads. I don't think either are available for a 1996, but I did notice Power Stop Z17 and Z23 pads, which would work just fine.

 

[SenorNoob]

I know the ABS rotor works on non-abs in 4wd. There just isn't a sensor to "see" it.

 

[sgtsandman]

I know the ABS rotor works on non-abs in 4wd. There just isn't a sensor to "see" it.

I thought as much but I wasn't 100% sure.

 

[98v70dad]

Well, guess where I live!

Yeah, the 4X4 rotors will not fit a RWD. The hub and bearing set up is different. The Power Stop suggestion is a good one. I pulled up the list for your year and engine. I don't know if you have four wheel ABS or not. So, I'm winging it. I see Bendix and Raybestos. Those brands are usually pretty decent. I see Centric as well. I think I've used them in the past and they have been ok.

The only Motorcraft I see is for four wheel ABS. If I remember correctly, but check me on that, you can run an ABS rotor on a non ABS Ranger. I did not see Power Stop as an option.

Yep. I noticed Aliquippa. Greenville, PA here. I used to live much closer to the crappiest weather than you. Only 40 minutes from Lake Erie. Lake effect snow - always. Followed by salting the streets and mill slag for traction. My 1975 subaru DL was a heap of rust by 1980. I got pretty good at DIY body work. When you mention a beater to a Southerner they think you're talking about abuse.

 

[bobbywalter]

Yep. I noticed Aliquippa. Greenville, PA here. I used to live much closer to the crappiest weather than you. Only 40 minutes from Lake Erie. Lake effect snow - always. Followed by salting the streets and mill slag for traction. My 1975 subaru DL was a heap of rust by 1980. I got pretty good at DIY body work. When you mention a beater to a Southerner they think you're talking about abuse.

in louisiana and texas and oklahoma, i had heard kids asking, daddy whats wrong with his truck?

that was back when my truck was still nice....mid 90's