Disc Brake Swap Details

[Sevensecondsuv]

I have a 2001 Ranger with the 7.5 axle with 9" drums. I also have a complete 31-spline 8.8 out of a 95-01 explorer that I want to swap in. I've done a few Ranger 8.8 swaps and have the perches and shock mounts all figured out but this is my first disc brake conversion. I tried searching and read the tech library articles but I still have a couple questions:

1. What parking brake cables do I use? The ones for a 95-01 explorer or a 10-11 Ranger?

2. It seems to me that the stock proportioning would be all wrong with rear discs. Do I swap to a different MC, bypass the ABS unit, or .....?

Thanks for the help guys!

 

[stmitch]

Can't help with the parking brake cable, but when I converted my drums to Cobra discs, I had no noticeable change in the proportioning (in this phase, the rear rotors were actually larger than the fronts). Then, I upgraded the fronts too, and still have no need to mess with the master cylinder or proportioning valve. I use the brakes pretty hard during autocross and haven't had a single issue.

I'd definitely get some miles and some seat time in with the discs before you worry about a proportioning valve or master cylinder change.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I didn't do anything to the proportioning on my '85, still stops great.