Front Rotor Question

[matt32]

Ok, so I am going to do brakes on my truck-1996 Ranger 4.0L 4x4, manual hubs and trans, D35-3.73L/S- and I was looking at some rotors for it at RockAuto parts. Here's where my question comes in...they have two different options for rotors I'll just copy and paste what they say:


Option 1: RAYBESTOS Part # 66558R More Info {Professional Grade; Outside Diameter 11.25" / 5 Bolt Holes #66558} Sale Item
Front; Four Wheel Drive (4X4); Except Axle Code 84 Gear Ratio 3.45

Option 2: RAYBESTOS Part # 66885R More Info {Professional Grade; Outside Diameter 11.25" / 5 Bolt Holes #66885} Sale Item
Front; Four Wheel Drive (4X4); Axle Code 84 Gear Ratio 3.45

Why would gear ratio matter when buying rotors? so would I go with the one that says "Except Axle Code 84 Gear Ratio 3.45"??

Thanks in Advance-Matt32

 

[Tedybear]

Depending on the factory specs, the applications are different enough to warrant different spec parts for the braking system.

In other words..A truck with the axle code 84 might have a heavier duty braking system. Or vice-versa...and the code 84 might be a light duty design, that uses a light duty brake system.

Check your door jam sticker for the axle code. Even if the parts look the same? There might be a difference of rotor thickness..diameter..bearings used..etc.. Unless the front assembly has been changed out for a different setup? Always defer to the information on the door jam sticker or build sheet.

S-

 

[matt32]

Thanks Tedybear, but I already knew my axle code before hand, its R6, because I have the L/S 3.73 gears. Sorry if I wasn't clear before but my question was more on the wording of the rotor parts it sounds like there's a rotor specifically for axles with 3.45 gears, and a rotor for every other gear ratio BUT 3.45 gears

so whats your guys opinion? option 1 is the right one for me? their wording is a little confusing in the parts description. or maybe I'm just being stupid and its really obvious

 

[matt32]

Anyone??

 

[AllanD]

It's a holdover from YEARS before your 1996 was made...

Back from 1983-1990 (november of 1989 to be exact)
Ford used the Dana28 TIB front axle.

starting in the beginning of december of 1989 three months into
the 1990 model run Ford switched to the Dana35 axle.

The Dana 35 used larger axle bearings and thus the integral hub of the rotor is slightly different.

Understanding that is only part of the picture.

going into 1993 ford and Dana came up with a "hybred" axle it is
essentially a dana35 with Dana28 internal parts and some unique parts.

But the "Hybred" is refered to by both ford and Dana as a "Dana28"

WE call it the "hybred" they do not.

The aftermarket OTOH is still suffering from a decade old "Brain fart"
and is ASSuming that the "late" Dana28 (the hybred) takes the same
different and unique brake rotors as the early ("true") Dana 28, it doesn't.

Infact the "late" dana 35 that you have on your 1996 is unique to a 1995-97
Ranger in using two-piston brake calipers, and these require a different
rotor than the "Early" (1990-94) Dana 35, because the friction disc is
move outwards slightly (by about 8mm) to clear the removeable caliper
bracket used on the later brakes.

Your front axle regardless of ratio takes the "non 3.45" parts.

Infact anyone who takes a set of those 3.45 ratio rotors home WILL be
returning them because they absolutely WILL NOT FIT any ranger made
after the end of november of 1989.

all clear now?

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[matt32]

Thank AllanD, that makes a WHOLE lot more sense now...answers my question guess I'll be ordering the first option better get on that fast cause they only have a couple left!

 

[AllanD]

they'll get more.

Even though ford only made that setup for three years, '95, '96 & '97
there are many of those trucks on the road.

I'm sure there are wharehouses full of the OTHER rotors that they will NEVER sell because the truck they are supposed to fit simply don't exsist...

But with modern supply chain management once a minimum stock was reached
they probably stopped making them...

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[matt32]

But with modern supply chain management once a minimum stock was reached
they probably stopped making them...

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Ain't that the truth