Drum to Disc Conversion

[bill4046]

I'm a new member to this forum. I just picked up a 1991 Ford Ranger XLT 4X4. It has the 4.0. I intend to turn it into my hunting rig. I'm thinking about upgrading from drum to disc brakes. Has anyone done this and is it too terribly difficult? Any insights or advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

There are a few threads on this. One of the more popular ones is to swap in an Explorer axle. Use the search button near the top of the page. If you still have questions feel free to ask again.
Good luck,

Richard

 

[Catch22556]

I'm a new member to this forum. I just picked up a 1991 Ford Ranger XLT 4X4. It has the 4.0. I intend to turn it into my hunting rig. I'm thinking about upgrading from drum to disc brakes. Has anyone done this and is it too terribly difficult? Any insights or advice would be greatly appreciated.

I was bored, 30 seconds on Google netted me this.

http://www.explorer4x4.com/discswap.html <~~~ Clicky Clicky

There is the above option, or swap in an axle out of a 1995 and up Explorer. Just a btw, the 8.8 behind the Explorers are stronger axles. Ranger 8.8's are 28 spline axles while the Explorer 8.8's are 31 spline.

 

[Mac]

Welcome! Best place to find more info is down in the brake section, well covered.
Dave of the Nord
http://www.fordrangerforum.com/engi...c-brake-conversion-stock-ranger-rear-end.html
From the tech library up top - http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Explorer8_8.html

 

[bill4046]

Thanks for the help!

 

[AllanD]

I was bored, 30 seconds on Google netted me this.

http://www.explorer4x4.com/discswap.html <~~~ Clicky Clicky

There is the above option, or swap in an axle out of a 1995 and up Explorer. Just a btw, the 8.8 behind the Explorers are stronger axles. Ranger 8.8's are 28 spline axles while the Explorer 8.8's are 31 spline.

the brake mounting flange on the ends of explorer axle tubes is LARGER.

And as the linked artical states that the conversion was done on an explorer sport...

The explorer brakes do not bolt directly to the axle tubes.

Now as for the philosophy behind the discs, I don't fault the bigger is better school of thought, but the 9" drums are sufficient to lock up the rear wheels unless your ranger is exceptionally heavily loaded when you try it.

I have 10" drums on my 4.0 4x4 and I can lock them down even with 1700lbs of coal in the bed of the truck, More than most would be willing to load into their beloved "toy" even once I do it four-to-five times a year (damn it! my truck WORKS for a living!)

As far as I see it swapping to the disc brakes WITHOUT swapping in the entire explorer axle (for which welding is REQUIRED) is throwing out the baby with the bath water.

The part you should be after is the 31-spline axles bigger bearings and fatter axle tubes along with the extra track width.

And take the explorer discs as "icing on the cake" (or the milk to wash it down

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[ZMan]

You COULD use mustang discs with some modification to the caliper bracket, that is what i did. But the cheaper/easier option is to just swap in an explorer axle.