Ranger/Explorer FRONT brakes upgrade

[Jeepman401]

Ok, Following is a short explanation, or atleast as short as I can make it of factory FRONT brakes on Rangers, Bronco2's and Explorers.

Starting in 1983 and continuing to the end of 1994 Ford used a "split pin" mounted caliper.
With the EXCEPTION of some 1986 and early 1987 (through the end of Feb 87) Ford used the same caliper on ALL Ranger based vehicles
AND the Aerostar on all these vehicles.

Next, the '95-current front brakes use a TWO-PISTON caliper
and caliper bracket, the bracket locates the pads and the caliper simply squeezes them.

Additionally the bracket being removable make the steering knuckle
a "non-wear" item.

Look closely at the "integral" caliper bracket on any split-pin caliper equipped Ranger and you might see what I am refereing to... The pad thrust surfaces tend to get rather hammered....

the two piston brakes CAN be retrofitted onto earlier rangers
and Gen1 explorers.

To do it on a 4x4 requires that you either have a D35 front axle
(either "true" or "Hybred") or are prepared to upgrade to a D35.
(Yes, a D35/28 hybred IS an upgrade over an early D28)
So on a D35 or hybred truck you swap over the '95-97 Ranger steering knuckles, calipers, caliper brackets and rotors (the "spindle", shaft, lockout hubs, etc are all the same and interchangable.)

To upgrade an '83-88 2wd requires swapping the entire I-beam
(Ford changed the balljoint setup going into 1989) with the steering knuckles etc
On an '89-94 Ranger (or '91-94 2wd Explorer) you can simply replace everything outboard of the balljoints

Though there is one slight difference in the '95-97 D35 beams, there is an adjustable steering stop adjustment on the beam. this CANNOT be added to an earlier D35 beam without welding.

By no means complete, but this should get someone thinking about "upgrades" to the point where intelligent questions can be asked...

AllanD

 

[therieldeal]

would 04 explorer spindles fit my 89 ranger?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

would 04 explorer spindles fit my 89 ranger?

um, no.

 

[Bryan22]

I have a 94 2wd, so basically it's just remove the old install the new and go?

 

[therieldeal]

um, no.

i figured that out shortly after posting... whoops

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

no biggie.

its just so FAR from fitting that it was a little funny

 

[Blacksmith1]

Is it possible to retro fit them to a '92 aerostar? no, I'm not joking allen.

 

[rat_ranger]

Ok, i figured I would throw this out there. on RPS there is a guy that goes by racin' ranger. he has a kit that allows you to bolt on mustang cobra brakes. the only catch is that you have to have 95+ spindles with the caliper held on by 2 bolts to do it. it is a new hub that goes on in place of the factory rotor and a spacer that spaces the cobra caliper out far enough to fit over the rotor. the only non bolt on part of this swap is you have to drill out the front brakeline to 7/16 for the banjo bolt to fit. You do not need to change the master or anything for this swap. total using all new parts was about $850. it could be done cheaper but I used brand new 10th ann. calipers that were a little over $400. so shopping around you could do it for less.

 

[pssnmn1]

so let me get this straight.

if i take the whole steering knuckle,spindle,brake assembly off of a 95 ranger
it will fit on my 90 ranger 2wd?

and that will grant me the benefit of two piston calipers?

not meaning to be repetitive i just want to be clear on this before i start looking for parts.

thanks

bill in indy

 

[Spdrcer34]

Yes. That is EXACTLY what they are saying.

Ryan

 

[mjonesjr]

so let me get this straight.

if i take the whole steering knuckle,spindle,brake assembly off of a 95 ranger
it will fit on my 90 ranger 2wd?

and that will grant me the benefit of two piston calipers?

not meaning to be repetitive i just want to be clear on this before i start looking for parts.

thanks

bill in indy

NO, this is a modification done to ONLY 4wd Rangers, Bronco II's, or Explorers.

Yes. That is EXACTLY what they are saying.

Ryan

Please go back and re-read before posting BAD information.

 

[pssnmn1]

but...

To upgrade an '87-88 2wd requires swapping the entire I-beam
(Ford changed the balljoint setup going into 1989) with the steering knuckles etc
On an '89-94 Ranger (or '91-94 2wd Explorer) you can simply replace everything outboard of the balljoints

not trying to start anything i just want to be sure

 

[Tee Rev]

Howdy!
I'm Racin' Ranger on RPS.

I'm not here to sell anything, rather just to give proper info.

pssnmn1 is absolutely correct. mjones is a little confused, as I believe he thinks maybe this thread was started as a 4x4 brake upgrade sticky?!

Anyway! With regards to the 2wd I-beam Rangers.

If you have 89-97 I beams, you can install the 95-97 knuckles & brakes. It is a straight bolt on. And since the 89-97 I beams can be installed on the earlier Rangers... well... you know where I'm going with this!

And of course, if you need more stopping power, I have a couple of components that allow the installation of 13" brakes.

Trev

 

[pssnmn1]

way thank you sir.

i'm going to look myself but i assume that the rotors are different and the ball joints are the same.

that would be a bummer seems as how i just replaced them(rotors not ball joints)

 

[pssnmn1]

and i wouldn't mind hearing about those other components