Rear disc brake conversion

[rick01cay2010]

How can I change my 1984 ford ranger drum brake to disc brake. What do I need for part's.

 

[Downey]

you need an explorer 8.8 with disc brakes is the easiest way to do it

 

[AgPete139]

Downey, that would require switching all of the outers, along with the new 31 spline axles and housing/carrier. He has a stock 7.5, so he cannot just switch them. (If that's what you meant.)

Otherwise, Rick, get a 1996 Explorer axle on up. I remember the 1995 were dumb in some way, so dont worry about that year. You would need to cut, remount, and weld the shock tabs and the spring perches. You might as well rebuild the axle seals and bearings if you think it's a shoddy-looking axle. Recut rotors and new pads are also a necessity.

 

[Downey]

i have one in my truck swap the whole axle reason i said get an explorer 8.8 the whole axle

 

[rick01cay2010]

I would like to keep my stock axle. If I do change to a 8.8 axle from a explorer, what year should I look for?

 

[Downey]

96 or newer

 

[stmitch]

The explorer disc brake axles are nearly 3 inches wider than the stock asle in squarebody trucks if that matters to the OP.
The other option is to add mustang discs to the stock axle. You'll need the backing plates, discs, and calipers. You can reuse your hardline, but I shortened it, and added custom braided stainless lines instead. You can probably get everything you need from a junk yard for pretty cheap. If you want new parts (Ford Racing sells a kit with everything but the calipers), it'll probably cost $400-$500 depending on if you get cobra rear discs, or just GT discs.

 

[rick01cay2010]

If I decide to go with the mustang kit, would my 15" rim fit? There's a kit for 185.00$ without the caliper from a 1994-2004 mustang, would it fit my 1984 ford ranger stock 9" axle

 

[Boggin]

I
my 1984 ford ranger stock 9" axle

Wanna bet?

 

[stmitch]

The GT brakes would definitley fit your 15's. The Cobras would be alittle close. I fit my stock 15's on the rear with Cobra brakes once just to check, but it was WAY close to rubbing on the caliper. This is all assuming that you don't have a 9 inch rear since Ranger's never had a 9 inch from the factory. The kit I've mentioned (probably the same one you're looking at) can be used on either the 7.5 or 8.8 rears since the axle flange is the same on both.

 

[dangerranger83]

My problem is finding the backing plates for less then $150 for the GT. But cant you use just a v-6 mustangs rear disk brake setup or are they different from a GT?

 

[rick01cay2010]

I was thinking doing my own bracket for my 7.5 rear axle, does somebody know the measurement for bracket?

 

[dangerranger83]

I was thinking doing my own bracket for my 7.5 rear axle, does somebody know the measurement for bracket?

I could be one of those things that you have to measure and do on your own unless you can find measurements somewhere. I may end up making my own brakets too, I just need to find enough pics and whatnot of what it looks like along with seeing if I can find vids or pics of people that have made their own brakets and use that knowledge to make a set.