98-00 vs 01+???? Coil knuckle (spindle) differences

[TSR85]

I’m looking specifically for the differences between the 2wd coil knuckles from 98-00 to maybe 01+ as that seems to be the year most lift spindles differentiate.

From what I have gathered so far is that 98-00 are limited to the 10in front brake and has different caliper mounting points than the 01+. The 01+ is when the coil knuckle seems to have gained the 11.25 rotor, but also the ability to do the sport trac 12in, because the caliper mounting points changed?

how about the upper ball joint size between the two versions, the same? I seem to find that the torsion Knuckles have a larger diameter Ball joint shaft?

 

[stmitch]

Yes, some 01+ had larger brakes and different caliper mounting holes as a result.

 

[Dirtman]

Some, not all... My 2009 still uses the smaller brakes. I believe the v6 extended cab trucks got the larger rotors.

 

[TSR85]

Right it seems the 10in lived on but the caliper carrier bolt pattern changed right?Allowing use of the 10,11 and 12 with the correct caliper?

Basically, I have a 2000 expo 5.0 donor that I’m probably going to just grab the 11in front calipers off at this point and just save, I would like to go sport trac, but I already have these calipers and they are in decent shape.

 

[pjtoledo]

I’m looking specifically for the differences between the 2wd coil knuckles from 98-00 to maybe 01+ as that seems to be the year most lift spindles differentiate.

From what I have gathered so far is that 98-00 are limited to the 10in front brake and has different caliper mounting points than the 01+. The 01+ is when the coil knuckle seems to have gained the 11.25 rotor, but also the ability to do the sport trac 12in, because the caliper mounting points changed?

how about the upper ball joint size between the two versions, the same? I seem to find that the torsion Knuckles have a larger diameter Ball joint shaft?

no.

brief overview: the 01+ coil knuckles are not as tall as the torsion bar knuckles, and the ball joint stud hole is indeed smaller.
if you change the upper control arm to the larger ball joint torsion bar type it is longer and pushes the top of the knuckle way out.


a 12" 2001 Sport Track rotor will indeed fit on 01+ coil knuckles,,,,BUT,,, there are no FACTORY calipers that fit. the holes need to be 3/8" farther out.
custom brackets and radial mount calipers can be made to work.

the 2001 Sport Track 2WD knuckle (12" rotor + torsion bar) has the same ball joint and tie rod mounting locations as a 4WD 2000 ranger.

01+ coil knuckles have 11.25" rotors. same caliper mounting hole location as the Ranger (and Explorer?) torsion bar knuckles.
until the torsion type changed between 03 and 04 to accommodate 12" rotors, they moved the holes 3/8" out.

NEEDS VERIFICATION: the difference between 98-00 and 01+ may be the caliper bracket, not the knuckle. again this needs verification.
which is what you're asking.

 

[TSR85]

no.

brief overview: the 01+ coil knuckles are not as tall as the torsion bar knuckles, and the ball joint stud hole is indeed smaller.
if you change the upper control arm to the larger ball joint torsion bar type it is longer and pushes the top of the knuckle way out.


a 12" 2001 Sport Track rotor will indeed fit on 01+ coil knuckles,,,,BUT,,, there are no FACTORY calipers that fit. the holes need to be 3/8" farther out.
custom brackets and radial mount calipers can be made to work.

the 2001 Sport Track 2WD knuckle (12" rotor + torsion bar) has the same ball joint and tie rod mounting locations as a 4WD 2000 ranger.

01+ coil knuckles have 11.25" rotors. same caliper mounting hole location as the Ranger (and Explorer?) torsion bar knuckles.
until the torsion type changed between 03 and 04 to accommodate 12" rotors, they moved the holes 3/8" out.

NEEDS VERIFICATION: the difference between 98-00 and 01+ may be the caliper bracket, not the knuckle. again this needs verification.
which is what you're asking.

Awesome, I could not find anything this straight forward, it helps a lot.