• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

Disconnecting the ABS


1RangerNut

New Member
Solid Axle Swap
Joined
Dec 8, 2009
Messages
172
Reaction score
1
Points
0
Location
Central,IL
Vehicle Year
1989
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
2.9L
Transmission
Automatic
Disconnecting the rear ABS

Will the brakes still work fine if I remove the fuse and unhook the sensor?
 
Last edited:


shane96ranger

Well-Known Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Oct 20, 2009
Messages
8,328
Reaction score
221
Points
63
Location
Utah
Vehicle Year
1997 / 1989
Make / Model
Ford F150-Stang
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
4.6 Triton / 5.0
Yes, they will function as a non-ABS system does. Why do you want to remove it though?
 

shane96ranger

Well-Known Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Oct 20, 2009
Messages
8,328
Reaction score
221
Points
63
Location
Utah
Vehicle Year
1997 / 1989
Make / Model
Ford F150-Stang
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
4.6 Triton / 5.0
Wait a minute. Do you mean RABS? If so, you will want to bypass the module with hard lines. The module is near the drivers side tire on the frame rail. Then you can do whatever you wish to turn the light off.
 

1RangerNut

New Member
Solid Axle Swap
Joined
Dec 8, 2009
Messages
172
Reaction score
1
Points
0
Location
Central,IL
Vehicle Year
1989
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
2.9L
Transmission
Automatic
Yes, I ment for the rear sorry.

I figured it would be better off road to have all the tires locked up when traversing hills and such??? I seem to have to push pretty hard to stop it and that's with all new rear brakes and new front pads.

Also, do I have to bypass the module or will it still work hooked up?
 

RonD

Official TRS AI
TRS Technical Advisor
Joined
Jun 2, 2012
Messages
25,363
Reaction score
8,369
Points
113
Location
canada
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford
Transmission
Manual
IMO, I would not change the RABS systems.
And you would still have the 70/30 proportioning valve, so going downhill the front tires would still tend to lock up first on loose ground.

For off-roading you could add an E-brake unlock so foot pedal could be used to lock rear tires up, at lower speeds, without you have to pull the unlock to release them, so basically a second brake pedal for slowing or locking up rear tires only while going downhill, this also prevents the front tires from digging in since they get 70% of braking power using brake pedal.
You can even switch to a hand lever style e-brake which can be more user friendly when using manual trans and dealing with clutch pedal.


But yes you do need to remove and by-pass RABS module brake line interface with a new brake line.
 
Last edited:

adsm08

Senior Master Grease Monkey
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
Ford Technician
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Sep 20, 2009
Messages
34,623
Reaction score
3,613
Points
113
Location
Dillsburg PA
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
31X10.50X15
But yes you do need to remove and by-pass RABS module brake line interface with a new brake line.
Why?

My RABS is 100% non-functional, but the RABS module is still there in the line. I don't have any issues.
 

RonD

Official TRS AI
TRS Technical Advisor
Joined
Jun 2, 2012
Messages
25,363
Reaction score
8,369
Points
113
Location
canada
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ford
Transmission
Manual
Why?

My RABS is 100% non-functional, but the RABS module is still there in the line. I don't have any issues.
And you are obviously still alive, and I assume driving this magic truck, so I guess you would not need to disconnect or bypass the brake lines :icon_welder:

Lol, which does make sense since RABS "limits" rear brake pressure when activated so the only change would be possible lock up, which would occur with or without module in the brake line
 

shane96ranger

Well-Known Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Oct 20, 2009
Messages
8,328
Reaction score
221
Points
63
Location
Utah
Vehicle Year
1997 / 1989
Make / Model
Ford F150-Stang
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
4.6 Triton / 5.0
I've seen them have a bunch of stuck crap in them. I would remove it, but it's your call.

Posting from the Galaxy.
 

RangerSVT

Oct 09 OTOTM
Article Contributor
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
Solid Axle Swap
RBV's on Boost
ASE Certified Tech
TRS Banner 2010-2011
TRS Banner 2012-2015
Joined
Mar 15, 2009
Messages
7,883
Reaction score
53
Points
48
Location
TRS since 2002 - NW KY
Vehicle Year
19962002
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
GT-40 5.0L EFI W/AC
Transmission
Automatic
Removing the abs system is not recommended. Since you are using the truck offroad, you can disable the abs. Just disconnect the plug to the abs module. Ive disconnected my abs for different reasons, and in a different way, but my setup is much more complicated than yours...

SVT
 

shane96ranger

Well-Known Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Oct 20, 2009
Messages
8,328
Reaction score
221
Points
63
Location
Utah
Vehicle Year
1997 / 1989
Make / Model
Ford F150-Stang
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
4.6 Triton / 5.0
RABS doesn't do much.... but a real ABS system, I agree Rick.
 

adsm08

Senior Master Grease Monkey
Supporting Member
Article Contributor
Ford Technician
TRS 20th Anniversary
Joined
Sep 20, 2009
Messages
34,623
Reaction score
3,613
Points
113
Location
Dillsburg PA
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Tire Size
31X10.50X15
And you are obviously still alive, and I assume driving this magic truck, so I guess you would not need to disconnect or bypass the brake lines :icon_welder:

Lol, which does make sense since RABS "limits" rear brake pressure when activated so the only change would be possible lock up, which would occur with or without module in the brake line
Well since the manufacturers are not allowed to build an ABS system that will disable to base brakes if it fails just unplugging the RABS valve can't hurt anything else.

I've seen them have a bunch of stuck crap in them. I would remove it, but it's your call.

Posting from the Galaxy.
Yeah, but that can happen even if they are still hooked up and working. If you never activate it it will never purge. That is why brake fluid flushes are important. I did what I am sure was the first one ever on my BII a few months ago and to get anything from the rear brakes I had to remove (not just open, but remove) the rear bleeders and apply the brakes with the engine running to clear the blockage.
 

Mark_88

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 11, 2007
Messages
18,554
Reaction score
240
Points
63
Age
68
Location
Ontario, Canada
Vehicle Year
2007
Make / Model
Dordge
Engine Size
3.3 Fuel Injected
Transmission
Automatic
My credo
Love Thy Neighbor
Why not just carry an anchor that you can toss out when things get hairy?

If not that, then maybe you can adjust the rear brakes up a bit when you go off road...then adjust them back down for normal driving...

I like the idea of a handbrake system instead of the foot pedal...you can lock up the rears without touching the brake pedal that way...been thinking of doing this with my truck even though I rarely go off road...under controlled circumstances...
 

shane96ranger

Well-Known Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Oct 20, 2009
Messages
8,328
Reaction score
221
Points
63
Location
Utah
Vehicle Year
1997 / 1989
Make / Model
Ford F150-Stang
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
4.6 Triton / 5.0
Just bypass the damn thing and get an adjustable proportioning valve.

Sent from my A210 using Tapatalk
 

bobbywalter

TRS Technical Staff
TRS Event Staff
V8 Engine Swap
TRS Technical Advisor
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Ugly Truck of Month
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Messages
23,470
Reaction score
4,668
Points
113
Location
woodhaven mi
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Today's birthdays

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Shran
April Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top