Need More Braking Power

[dwinmac]

I have replaced the internal combustion engine in a 1987 Ford Ranger with an electric motor and (more importantly relative to this post) 1400 pounds of batteries. The Ranger had a 2.3L L4 FI OHV engine and is Rear Wheel Drive only.

The state inspectors checked it out with some kind of inertia piece of equipment and claimed that the brakes did not stop it quickly enough. The electric motor kit includes a vacuum pump to handle the vacuum assist and we have included a barbecue pit size propane tank vacuum reservoir to help with the assist.

Are there any ideas as to where we could get the most increase in braking power for the least amount of effort and expense? We are considering increasing the vacuum shut off switch to get more vacuum (hopefully), using a larger vacuum reservoir or installing a new master cylinder and vacuum booster. Is it possible to put a larger/more powerful master cylinder and vacuum assist in a 1987 Ranger?

 

[Sprag-O]

First... Dude you're in Syracuse?!?! I have to see this thing, I'm in Potsdam.

Second, Check for vac leaks, and maybe look into moving up the the dual piston calipers in the newer rangers? Not sure how much fab that takes.

 

[dwinmac]

Yes, just north of Syracuse in Liverpool.

Unfortunately the truck is in Rhode Island right now with my brother who helped me put it together. I probably won't bring it to Liverpool until the Spring. It from a kit by www.EVAmerica.com.

I'd be glad to let you know when I get it up here. Send me an email. I'm on page 58 of the Members List. I can send you some pictures as well.

In the meantime thanks for the info. The vacuum leak theory is probably one we should check out. I'll talk to my brother about updating calipers to see if he thinks it's doable.

 

[metalmacguyver]

how does the kit deal with the steering? was it manual steering to start with? perhaps you could look into hydro-boost brakes instead of vaccume assisted brakes. they run off of the powersteering pump typically but theres a way to make it work.

i am sending you a PM to get some pictures of this thing. it sounds really cool!

 

[dwinmac]

Just realized I never replied to this. We actually removed the power steering and installed a manual steering box.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

You could upgrade to the larger 2 piston calipers from the newer (93-97) rangers and maybe look at swapping in a disc brake 8.8 out of a 95+ explorer

 

[gbadgley]

Try giving Dave Kimpland at PBS in East Syracuse a call. Dave is about the best in the area when it comes to problems like this.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

did the truck originally come with rear ABS?

i wonder how much trouble it would be to have functioning ABS on a vehicle without the original processor. i wouldnt think installing at least the rear ABS would be very difficult since it was an option in that generation...and it could really help.