NEED OEM Left front 2WD axle IBeam 1985

[V8 Rally Ranger]

NEED OEM Left front 2WD axle IBeam 1985 ford ranger 2.3L base with part # E57-7-AB or equivalent generation one.
yhis is a must have now part, anyone can help we have an event coming up at end of month and our truck had an off at last event and I am in a bad way to replace it
Gary

 

[JoshT]

Try posting in the classifieds here and on Ranger Power Sports, you may find one closer.

I've probably got one in my pile. Shipping from here to PA will be a bitzh though. If you are really interested in paying shipping from GA I'll see what I have and get a shipping estimate.

Just FYI any stock 2wd left side beam from 84-88 will work. 83 would physically work as well, but I've learned that some of them have stamped steel beams. Not sure if all 83 2wd models had stamped steel beams, but it was a 1 year only deal.

 

[V8 Rally Ranger]

I would be interested. I have found some links on used car parts. i will follow up tomorrow and if not lucky I will be in touch.
Gary

 

[vtmcgyver]

I just removed the front beams from my 1987 2wd ranger to swap in ones from a 1997 ranger (brake upgrade). I was looking to sell them. I'm in Iowa though so not sure what shipping would be. Let me know if you are interested.
Dave

 

[JoshT]

It sounded pretty urgent and he hasn't been in touch, so I'm guessing that he found one.

 

[V8 Rally Ranger]

I have located new i beams and I was wondering more on you 97 brake upgrade could you elaborate or even send me photos, of what you put in, and what the brake up grade consisted of?

I just removed the front beams from my 1987 2wd ranger to swap in ones from a 1997 ranger (brake upgrade). I was looking to sell them. I'm in Iowa though so not sure what shipping would be. Let me know if you are interested.
Dave

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I do believe that there is a different caliper mounting system and the caliper is a two piston design. I think there is also the ability to upgrade to bigger discs. Sorry I have no better info.

Richard

 

[V8 Rally Ranger]

I wonder if the spindles would fit a 94 axle and I do see the 2 piston caliper and I do not know the size of the available rotor yet?


http://www.fordparts.com/Commerce/RenderIllustration.ashx?id=276655443&f=3&n=F57Z3105A

I do believe that there is a different caliper mounting system and the caliper is a two piston design. I think there is also the ability to upgrade to bigger discs. Sorry I have no better info.

Richard

 

[JoshT]

I have located new i beams and I was wondering more on you 97 brake upgrade could you elaborate or even send me photos, of what you put in, and what the brake up grade consisted of?

As you may have realized the brakes on 2wd trucks stayed the same from 83-94. Single piston pin mount calipers the whole time. In 95 they upgraded to a bolt on caliper and bracket and dual piston calipers. Rotors stayed the same diameter, but may have gotten a little wider and slightly different dimensions to match with the new caliper system.

To install these 95-97 brakes on your truck you need to change beams, knuckles, brake lines (maybe), and install the newer braking components.

89-97 I-Beams
95-97 Steering knuckles
95-97 Calipers w/Brackets
95-97 Rotors and Bearings (can't recall if they changed)

Other than the fact that you have to change all those components to make it work it is pretty much a bolt in swap.

I wonder if the spindles would fit a 94 axle and I do see the 2 piston caliper and I do not know the size of the available rotor yet?

95-97 spindles (aka: steering knuckle) will bolt right on to a 94 beam. The beams changed from 83-88 having the ball joints mounted in the beam, to 89-97 having the ball joints mounted in the knuckle.

Rotors on the two pistons are the same diameter, but you get more clamping force from the 2 piston caliper.

As Richard said, If you are interested in upgrading further you can even swap on bigger brakes with the 95-97 knuckles thanks to the bolt on calipers. Most common are 12 inch rotors from a Sport track, which require a 16" wheels to run. If you want to go to bigger rotors then IMO it's best bang for the buck. Gives a nice upgrade in nice upgrade in power and uses mostly stock RBV parts. If you can measure and weld you can even make the brackets for these yourself.

Sport Trac 12-Inch Rotor Upgrade For Your 2WD Ford Ranger

 

[adsm08]

I know of at least 3 gen 1 Rangers at Harry's Hazelton with good 2wd beams.

 

[V8 Rally Ranger]

Josh, I know the sport track has the 12 inch rotors and think they have 2 piston calipers and with the front beams from a 94 which I already have and with ball joints on the knuckle and the later 97 knuckles with the bolt on caliper bracket It would be easy to up grade to the sport track caliper bracket and calipers? I do not actually know yet if they are 2 piston I will have to look. but I know that was available on the 2001 sport track for sure. so I will look to do that brake up grade when I go to the New rear suspension setup with disk brakes.

.

 

[JoshT]

Yes, the Sport Trac has 2 piston calipers, but you won't be needing those. The only thing you will need from a (2001-2005) Sport Trac is the rotor itself, the swap uses the 1995-1997 Ranger parts for everything else. Hardest part is the adapter bracket for the caliper. Once you get/make an adapter bracket it's all simple bolt-on.

List for ST upgrade:

• 1989-1997 I-beams
• 1995-1997 Spindles
• 1995-1997 Calipers w/Brackets and Pads
• 1995-1997 Wheel Bearings and seals
• 2001-2005 Sport Trac rotors
• Adapter Brackets for caliper mount

Link to thread on other site that covers the adapter bracket in more depth: ExplorerForum.com - 1st Gen 2wd to 95-97 Ranger Brake Upgrade Using 12" Sport Trac Rotors

FYI all 95+ RBVs used dual piston calipers in the front, that includes the Explorer and it's variations.

 

[V8 Rally Ranger]

are you saying the stock bracket off either the 97 ranger or the sport track will not work with out a fabricated adapter bracket on the 97 spindle to raise it out for the 12 inch sport track rotor.

does any one have a template for that,
cause I can easily buy the bracket with the caliper for either model

 

[JoshT]

are you saying the stock bracket off either the 97 ranger or the sport track will not work with out a fabricated adapter bracket on the 97 spindle to raise it out for the 12 inch sport track rotor.

Exactly. The 95-97 bracket and caliper is set-up for the smaller diameter rotor, it needs to be spaced out (or raised) to use with the larger diameter rotor. The stock Sport Trac bracket and caliper is designed to use the larger rotor, but it mounts to a much different spindle. It might be closer to the correct height for the rotor, but it will still need adapting to mount to the Ranger spindle. Not positive, but I believe that they actually redesigned the mounts on the Sport Trac spindle out to accommodate the larger rotor instead of making much change to the bracket.

You can find a crude template in the Tech article for this swap, or in the link I posted to Explorer forums. As said it is crude but should be enough to get you on the right track. The template is set-up to use the 95-97 caliper and bracket, though it could probably be adapted to the ST bracket.