disk brake conversion

[sliding 2.9 89]

i was on the tech page and i would like to do that to my truck but i want to kno what truck or car that i need to take the bick brakes off of. please help

 

[holyford86]

a complete rear axle out of a 95+ explorer will net you disk brakes with mini drum parking brakes, 31 spline axleshafts, and 3 more inches of width than your stock 7.5. you have to relocate the stock spring perches to the top of the axle though unless you want to go spring under, which would be way better for combating axlewrap.

 

[AllanD]

There is NO disc brake setup that is a simple direct bolt-on fit for a Ranger rear axle.

The rear axles that used the same bolt pattern for the brake backing plate used an axle flange that is spaced 3/4" further out from the brake mounting flange.

The Explorer used a different brake flange bolt pattern.

The honest easiest way to put disc brakes on a Ranger other than buying an aftermarket kit is to weld spring and shock brackets to a 95-up explorer axle.

And the Explorer axle has the advantage of using COMMON AS DIRT(and more important to ford purists) FORD parts.

the aftermarket kits from stainless steel brake corp usually use an "oddball"
brake rotor and a GM caliper that uses a cable to direct actuate the pads

that throws away the biggest advantage of the explorer setup,
the fact that the service brake and the parking brake are completely
seperate.

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[Evan]

The yard around here (Stevens Point, WI) sells 31-spline 8.8s with discs, LSD, and 4.10s for $199. For that price I couldn't justify the cost of a disc brake conversion kit.

 

[mjonesjr]

There is NO disc brake setup that is a simple direct bolt-on fit for a Ranger rear axle.

The rear axles that used the same bolt pattern for the brake backing plate used an axle flange that is spaced 3/4" further out from the brake mounting flange.

The Explorer used a different brake flange bolt pattern.

The honest easiest way to put disc brakes on a Ranger other than buying an aftermarket kit is to weld spring and shock brackets to a 95-up explorer axle.

And the Explorer axle has the advantage of using COMMON AS DIRT(and more important to ford purists) FORD parts.

the aftermarket kits from stainless steel brake corp usually use an "oddball"
brake rotor and a GM caliper that uses a cable to direct actuate the pads

that throws away the biggest advantage of the explorer setup,
the fact that the service brake and the parking brake are completely
seperate.

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Actually Allan, you can use the disc brake setup out if a Grand Marquis. They have a 8.8 28 spline that is coil sprung. It is almost 100% bolt on.

 

[AllanD]

Have you personally bolted a set of Grand Marquis/Crown Vic backing plates to a Ranger rear axle?

If you have not I assure you, there will be a shock in waiting for you.

the Crown Vic Disc brake backing plates are identical to the ones on an Explorer.

the 28-spline crown Vic axle uses a brake mounting flange bolt pattern
that is the same as that used on the 31-spline Explorer axles.

I have a pair of Crown Vic backing plates here, I have them ONLY because
I want to use the their smaller dust shields on my Explorer axle.

This will involve removing rivets because there are other differences...
Like on the crown vic BOTH brake backing plates are the SAME.
they are essentially both "left side" explorer pieces and this places
one caliper behind the axle (the left) and the other
(passenger side) in front of the axle.

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[mjonesjr]

I will post the link for you of someone who has. There was only slight modification to them to make them fit.

 

[AllanD]

That "slight modification" will involve welding.

because the "pilot" on the brake mounting flange is smaller meaning that
the Vic/Explorer backing plate won't be properly centered AND the bolts
holes don't line up.

Trust me I've tried it, it doesn't work.

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[canyoncritter]

ruffstuff, was talking about a disc brake kit for the rear of the ranger.Not sure if it was bolt on or not.....http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43520&page=2

 

[rat_ranger]

disk backing plates from northracecars bolts right on with no modifications. I am running them on my truck just check my car domain. it uses mustang calipers and rotors.

 

[AllanD]

What I'd like to see is an aftermarket backing plate to use explorer rotors calipers and parking brakes.

"Mustang" calipers is a problem for me, not because of availability of the
calipers, but do to the fact that if anyone has EVER made a caliper that
incorporates an integral parking brake that didn't SUCK I've never heard of it...


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[Xploda]

Mr Allan sir please just use a block a wood. naw I was gonna do the swap on my explorer but kinda been lazy to rip it apart right now. I was gonna do the 95+ exp swap like mentioned earlier.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

If you use it a lot the Ford mini-drum parking break is great. If you don't and suddenly decide you need it... it will likely stay on when you release it.

 

[AllanD]

If you use it a lot the Ford mini-drum parking break is great. If you don't and suddenly decide you need it... it will likely stay on when you release it.

What jams on the Explorer parking brake is the lever that the cable pulls on.

a little white lube prevents that.

IF it jams disassembly and lubrication will fix it.

I LIKE that the parking brake doesn't depend on the service brake

Also remember that on conventional caliper-based parking brake
systems the common failure is the internal self-adjuster and when
those fail they often prevent the service brake from functioning correctly

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[85_Ranger4x4]

For those with an automatic they are a time bomb, you hardly ever use them... and when you do they can be counted on to stick if you do.

Now if you have a stick, chances are they never get a chance to freeze up.