Adsm08: I thought it was only ‘98+ 4x4 SuperCabs which got 8.8s guaranteed. (Note: one of the Ranger which has crossed my driveway had axle code 86 and is definitely 4x4, definitely ‘98, and definitely 3.73 geared open 7.5” with 9” drums – but that might be Canadian thing... we, Canucks, don’t have PATS in our ‘98s either).
Stmitch: When I converted my daughter’s 4x2 to Mustang discs and my 4x4 to Explorer discs*, I did a set of tests in Lowe’s parking lot (for wife's benefit).
We used a driver’s ed passenger’s brake pedal (the one the instructor uses when he needs to stop car) slightly adjusted so we could put a weight on pedal and a 10kg weight (bag of shot).
Test was from 30km/h to stopped; both the automatic 4x4 and manual 4x2 were shifted into neutral while stopping, abs was disabled.
OEM 4x2 stopped in ~25m
OEM 4x4 stopped in ~28m -bigger tires, weight (s/c versus r/c) worked against 4x4.
Mustang discs on 4x2 stopped in >35m
Rear discs weren’t doing squat.
So, we added a proportioning valve.
Mustang discs on 4x2 with valve stopped in ~30m
It takes more force on pedal to produce same result i.e. 12kg of shot on the pedal produced the OEM 25m stopping distance. The proportioning valve was set up to lock the fronts before the rears (same as OEM). Adjusting the proportioning valve to lock rears 1st would produce a stop in ~22m; but I wasn’t about to reinstall the drums to get a comparable test setting drums up to lock 1st. Note: Mustang brakes are from ’02 V-6 (10.5” solid rotors, not the Cobra 11.6” vented ones, Cobra calipers are hard to come by at wrecker, and it was supposed to be inexpensive install).
Our family is over 90th percentile in size, so pushing an extra 20% harder isn't issue, so my wife accepted the result.
The ‘ultimate’ test: With my son’s Mustang’s 225/45R17 summer tires installed on the 4x2 and ABS re-enabled would produce <5m stops from 30 km/h (but significantly more than 10kg force was being applied to pedal).
Explorer discs on 4x4 included the Explorer proportioning valve right from start. Stopping distance was ~30m.
We did tests at 50 & 70km/h and with 30 and 50kg of shot. Distances were too long for safety at the higher speeds with just 10kg shot (some of the stops were >150m); but the results were very proportional between the speed/brake combinations i.e. the Mustang discs without proportioning valve with always 40% longer than OEM. With heavier weights, tires would lock before we stopped which produced inconsistent (and longer) stops. Turning ABS on tended to equalize all system. Also, not having ABS on was too hard on my tires to repeatedly test.
JoshT: Explorer rear brakes for at least the 3 I have had have been solid rotor. Which makes the ’10-11 Ranger rear discs which are vented, the ultimate (at least for an OEM bolt on solution).
Hondaxr650: How did you manage: controller, wiring (vehicle and trailer), breakaway switch/battery, and electric brakes for $200?
While I agree, electric brake are better (especially will new trucks and their OEM controllers), I couldn’t do electric for under $500; so I installed a surge-hydraulic system(for about $300 - surge brake controller, brakes from '90s Escort adjusted to fit, associated hard lines, hoses & fittings). Additional advantage of the surge-hydraulic, I can tow with my Ranger(the 4x4 s/c), my daughter’s Ranger (r/c 4x2) or wife’s Escape without having to wire everything.
*Not the 4x4 with 9” but another with 10” rear brakes.