Jeepman401
New Member
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
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
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