1989 Rear brake upgrade.

[JohnAllen]

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

Nice info Mr. RonD. Thank you! Can I pick one of those adjustable valves at any part store? And do I ask for one for my particular truck?

 

[JohnAllen]

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

One other question about that valve if I may? I noticed on mine that there are wires coming off it. Do those go to my ABS light? And if that valve is leaking, will it cause that light to come on? Lol, sorry. That was more than one question?.

 

[sgtsandman]

Adjustable valves should be universal since it wouldn't be a stock part. You may or may not need adapter fittings as a result for your brake lines to thread into the valve body. You may have to go online to get one. You'll need to run a search for one and see what you get as far as hits.

As far as the wires, I don't think Rangers had ABS that early. We'll have to wait for RonD or one of the other guys to give you an answer.

 

[RonD]

It can be either a brake warning light(red) switch or an ABS light(yellow) depending on what you have
Yes, if fluid leaks out it should come on

 

[JohnAllen]

Adjustable valves should be universal since it wouldn't be a stock part. You may or may not need adapter fittings as a result for your brake lines to thread into the valve body. You may have to go online to get one. You'll need to run a search for one and see what you get as far as hits.

As far as the wires, I don't think Rangers had ABS that early. We'll have to wait for RonD or one of the other guys to give you an answer.

Thanks again.

 

[JohnAllen]

It can be either a brake warning light(red) switch or an ABS light(yellow) depending on what you have
Yes, if fluid leaks out it should come on

Thank you. Now I might be able to fix to birds with one stone?. Y'all have been a big help.