• 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.

Ranger/Explorer FRONT brakes upgrade


Status
Not open for further replies.

Jeepman401

New Member
Joined
Aug 5, 2007
Messages
72
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Age
36
Location
CT
Ok, Following is a short explanation, or atleast as short as I can make it of factory FRONT brakes on Rangers, Bronco2's and Explorers.

Starting in 1983 and continuing to the end of 1994 Ford used a "split pin" mounted caliper.
With the EXCEPTION of some 1986 and early 1987 (through the end of Feb 87) Ford used the same caliper on ALL Ranger based vehicles
AND the Aerostar on all these vehicles.

Next, the '95-current front brakes use a TWO-PISTON caliper
and caliper bracket, the bracket locates the pads and the caliper simply squeezes them.

Additionally the bracket being removable make the steering knuckle
a "non-wear" item.

Look closely at the "integral" caliper bracket on any split-pin caliper equipped Ranger and you might see what I am refereing to... The pad thrust surfaces tend to get rather hammered....

the two piston brakes CAN be retrofitted onto earlier rangers
and Gen1 explorers.

To do it on a 4x4 requires that you either have a D35 front axle
(either "true" or "Hybred") or are prepared to upgrade to a D35.
(Yes, a D35/28 hybred IS an upgrade over an early D28)
So on a D35 or hybred truck you swap over the '95-97 Ranger steering knuckles, calipers, caliper brackets and rotors (the "spindle", shaft, lockout hubs, etc are all the same and interchangable.)

To upgrade an '83-88 2wd requires swapping the entire I-beam
(Ford changed the balljoint setup going into 1989) with the steering knuckles etc
On an '89-94 Ranger (or '91-94 2wd Explorer) you can simply replace everything outboard of the balljoints

Though there is one slight difference in the '95-97 D35 beams, there is an adjustable steering stop adjustment on the beam. this CANNOT be added to an earlier D35 beam without welding.

By no means complete, but this should get someone thinking about "upgrades" to the point where intelligent questions can be asked...

AllanD
 
Last edited by a moderator:


therieldeal

New Member
Joined
Oct 28, 2008
Messages
287
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Putnam, CT
Vehicle Year
1989
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
2.3
Transmission
Manual
would 04 explorer spindles fit my 89 ranger?
 

Bryan22

New Member
Joined
May 2, 2008
Messages
1,610
Reaction score
4
Points
0
Age
38
Location
So-Cal babay
Vehicle Year
94 extd
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
94 2.3
Transmission
Manual
I have a 94 2wd, so basically it's just remove the old install the new and go?
 

Wicked_Sludge

New Member
Joined
Aug 6, 2007
Messages
6,937
Reaction score
42
Points
0
Age
38
Location
Westport, WA
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
3-point-GO
Transmission
Manual
no biggie.

its just so FAR from fitting that it was a little funny :D
 

Blacksmith1

Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2008
Messages
59
Reaction score
1
Points
8
Location
Volusia County, Florida
Vehicle Year
94
Make / Model
Ford/Explorer
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Is it possible to retro fit them to a '92 aerostar? no, I'm not joking allen.
 

rat_ranger

December 2009 STOTM Winner
U.S. Military - Active
MTOTM Winner
Joined
Dec 26, 2007
Messages
273
Reaction score
2
Points
0
Age
39
Location
moving with the army
Vehicle Year
2003
Make / Model
ford
Engine Size
2.3 duratec
Transmission
Manual
Ok, i figured I would throw this out there. on RPS there is a guy that goes by racin' ranger. he has a kit that allows you to bolt on mustang cobra brakes. the only catch is that you have to have 95+ spindles with the caliper held on by 2 bolts to do it. it is a new hub that goes on in place of the factory rotor and a spacer that spaces the cobra caliper out far enough to fit over the rotor. the only non bolt on part of this swap is you have to drill out the front brakeline to 7/16 for the banjo bolt to fit. You do not need to change the master or anything for this swap. total using all new parts was about $850. it could be done cheaper but I used brand new 10th ann. calipers that were a little over $400. so shopping around you could do it for less.
 

pssnmn1

New Member
Joined
Aug 11, 2008
Messages
15
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Age
53
Vehicle Year
1990
Make / Model
ford
Engine Size
2.3 l l4
Transmission
Manual
so let me get this straight.

if i take the whole steering knuckle,spindle,brake assembly off of a 95 ranger
it will fit on my 90 ranger 2wd?

and that will grant me the benefit of two piston calipers?

not meaning to be repetitive i just want to be clear on this before i start looking for parts.

thanks

bill in indy
 

Spdrcer34

New Member
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Aug 28, 2008
Messages
81
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Bremerton, WA
Vehicle Year
1992
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
5.0L
Transmission
Automatic
Yes. That is EXACTLY what they are saying.

Ryan
 

mjonesjr

I dance with the Devil...
Firefighter
Forum Staff - Retired
Joined
Feb 6, 2004
Messages
4,967
Reaction score
13
Points
0
Age
39
Location
Salem, IN
Transmission
Automatic
so let me get this straight.

if i take the whole steering knuckle,spindle,brake assembly off of a 95 ranger
it will fit on my 90 ranger 2wd?

and that will grant me the benefit of two piston calipers?

not meaning to be repetitive i just want to be clear on this before i start looking for parts.

thanks

bill in indy
NO, this is a modification done to ONLY 4wd Rangers, Bronco II's, or Explorers.


Yes. That is EXACTLY what they are saying.

Ryan
Please go back and re-read before posting BAD information.
 

pssnmn1

New Member
Joined
Aug 11, 2008
Messages
15
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Age
53
Vehicle Year
1990
Make / Model
ford
Engine Size
2.3 l l4
Transmission
Manual
but...

To upgrade an '87-88 2wd requires swapping the entire I-beam
(Ford changed the balljoint setup going into 1989) with the steering knuckles etc
On an '89-94 Ranger (or '91-94 2wd Explorer) you can simply replace everything outboard of the balljoints
not trying to start anything i just want to be sure
 

Tee Rev

New Member
TRS Banner 2012-2015
Joined
Sep 14, 2007
Messages
138
Reaction score
2
Points
0
Location
Calgary Ab Canada
Vehicle Year
1991,2006,2007
Make / Model
Ford
Transmission
Manual
Howdy!
I'm Racin' Ranger on RPS.

I'm not here to sell anything, rather just to give proper info.

pssnmn1 is absolutely correct. mjones is a little confused, as I believe he thinks maybe this thread was started as a 4x4 brake upgrade sticky?!:icon_confused:

Anyway! With regards to the 2wd I-beam Rangers.

If you have 89-97 I beams, you can install the 95-97 knuckles & brakes. It is a straight bolt on. And since the 89-97 I beams can be installed on the earlier Rangers... well... you know where I'm going with this!

And of course, if you need more stopping power, I have a couple of components that allow the installation of 13" brakes.

Trev
 

pssnmn1

New Member
Joined
Aug 11, 2008
Messages
15
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Age
53
Vehicle Year
1990
Make / Model
ford
Engine Size
2.3 l l4
Transmission
Manual
way thank you sir.

i'm going to look myself but i assume that the rotors are different and the ball joints are the same.

that would be a bummer seems as how i just replaced them(rotors not ball joints)
 

pssnmn1

New Member
Joined
Aug 11, 2008
Messages
15
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Age
53
Vehicle Year
1990
Make / Model
ford
Engine Size
2.3 l l4
Transmission
Manual
and i wouldn't mind hearing about those other components
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

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


Kirby N.
March 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