1989 Rear brake upgrade.

[JohnAllen]

So I've read that the brake flange on the 7.5 and 8.8 are the same pattern... So why can't one take the disk brakes off an Explorer 8.8 and put them on the 7.5? The mustang brakes just look to small for an offroader...

 

[Snoranger]

2 problems.
The Explorer 31 spline uses bigger axle bearings and a larger bolt pattern on the flange.
The Explorer axles are also a different length from the brake flange to the wheel mounting surface.

 

[JohnAllen]

2 problems.
The Explorer 31 spline uses bigger axle bearings and a larger bolt pattern on the flange.
The Explorer axles are also a different length from the brake flange to the wheel mounting surface.

Dang, ok. I didn't think of that one. Is there a better disk brake conversion for the 7.5 other than the mid 90 mustang?

 

[Snoranger]

You can do the mustang rear brake upgrade using Cobra rear brakes.

 

[JohnAllen]

You can do the mustang rear brake upgrade using Cobra rear brakes.

Do you know if 15" wheels with a 1" spacer will clear them?

 

[RonD]

2010/2011 Ranger axles have rear disc brakes, swap whole axle
1" wider on each side than 1992 and older

 

[Snoranger]

Depends on the rim. Some 15s will clear. They’re 11.65” rear discs, so it’s a tight fit. I have a Cobra, what wheels are you trying to use?

 

[sgtsandman]

One thing to watch if you are swapping from drums to discs. The proportioning valve for the rear brakes between the two might be different. Something to look into before you make the jump.

 

[JohnAllen]

Depends on the rim. Some 15s will clear. They’re 11.65” rear discs, so it’s a tight fit. I have a Cobra, what wheels are you trying to use?

Im not sure of the brand. I bought them used off of FB.

 

[JohnAllen]

One thing to watch if you are swapping from drums to discs. The proportioning valve for the rear brakes between the two might be different. Something to looking into before you make the jump.

Proportioning valve? That's a new term for me.

 

[sgtsandman]

It proportions the amount of fluid to the front and rear axles. Usually something along 70%/30% front/rear. In some brake systems, it makes a difference because of design of the slave piston in the rear caliper/wheel cylinder.

 

[JohnAllen]

It proportions the amount of fluid to the front and rear axles. Usually something along 70%/30% front/rear. In some brake systems, it makes a difference because of design of the slave piston in the rear caliper/wheel cylinder.

Oh, ok. On rangers and Bronco2s is that normally located on the frame just in front of the fuel filter?

 

[sgtsandman]

Your is an older model than what I've worked on, so I can't answer that. We'll have to wait for someone familiar with your year range to give the right answer instead of a guess. It might be that with your brake system, swapping to discs won't be an issue. I just know that it can be a problem some times. For example, on trailers with hydraulic brakes, the actuators are very specifically listed for disc and drum and can not be switched.

 

[JohnAllen]

Your is an older model than what I've worked on, so I can't answer that. We'll have to wait for someone familiar with your year range to give the right answer instead of a guess. It might be that with your brake system, swapping to discs won't be an issue. I just know that it can be a problem some times. For example, on trailers with hydraulic brakes, the actuators are very specifically listed for disc and drum and can not be switched.

Ok. Thank you for the info and your time. I'll definitely keep that in mind.

 

[RonD]

Proportioning for brakes is done for/by weight distribution

Pickups usually use 70/30, 70% of braking power goes to front wheels, 30% to rear wheels, because bed on an empty pickup is much lighter than the front where the engine lives

Cars and SUVs used 60/40
Some mid or rear engine vehicles use 50/50, it all about the weight distribution

If your master cylinder has one brake line coming out then it will run directly to a Proportioning valve, and it will have 2 lines coming out, one for front and one for the rear brakes, these do come in adjustable models

If you have 2 lines coming out of Master cylinder then it has internal proportioning, line farther forward is for rear brakes, line farther back for front brakes, so its reversed.
If you follow the rear brake line down it will run to a restrictor or ABS valve, which acts as a proportioning valve, its usually on the frame rail
You can replace this with an adjustable proportioning valve, and then go out to a gravel road and slam on the brakes a few times and adjust the valve as you see fit