I know someone has done this!! What are the details about putting disc brakes on the rear of a Ranger. Can Parts be barrowed from the Explorer?

 

I seen some brackets on ebay. The listing states remove your stock hardware install these brackets and then install Explorer discs,calipers,hoses,and parking brake cables. Is it that easy!! I know all the hard ware would be expensive but just installing a bracket seems to easy.Is that all that is involved??? Search ebay for 8.8 Ford and you should find this item.

 

The simple, but not easy answer is just swap the entire axle from an Exploder over to the Ranger. Easier said than done since there are some differences in the mounts, spring perches, etc, and IIRC there is a bit of width difference too. It is a do-able swap, but the "pay off" may not be worth the "pay out". Just my $.02

 

I used '98 explorer rear disks to - '96 Ranger rear axle. Worked well. BUT - it took some fabricating - had to have the mounting holes in the disk brake mounts welded shut then machined out for the smaller bolt circle on the Ranger axle housing - If you have the 31 spline axle on your Ranger, this will not be necessary. I have the 28 spline unit. I also had spacer rings cut to fit the inside of the mounting plate axle hole to the outside of my Ranger's axle tube - just to make absolutely sure that the mount would be centered. Again you don't need to do this if you have the 31 spline axle.

 

Sow disk brakes on English Ranger, but this is a hybrid of very small (4") drums and disks. Drums are used for handbrake only.

 

There's a kit from ford performance parts, m-2300-g, that you should check out. I looked into it a while back and it was pretty inexpensive for what you get. I talked to one of the guys at their hotline and they said that it should work with some new hoses and a parking brake set up, and that it wae basically a late 90's explorer set up, so I would probably be able touse parts from them.

 

Cant possibly be worth the effort.

 

I asked about rear disc brakes because I plan on towing at maximun load capacity. I have a dump trailer weighing #2500 empty and plan on hauling as much firewood as I can fit in it per trip. 1-2 cords of wood at a time. So I could be hauling #7500 at a time. The trailer and truck is equipted with electric brakes so this will help. Disc brakes cool faster and do not overheat as easily as drum brakes also they should add a greater amount of stopping power. For this application it could possibly be worth the effort. Being able to panic stop at maximum load could save lives.

 

Not exceeding the stated tow capacity and GCWR would be a better idea. If you do that you should be fine.

1 cord of wood weighs at least 3000 pounds, that probably puts you at the limit of your Ranger IF it has 4L and tow gear. If the wood is recently cut it will weigh more, as much as 4K/cord.

 

I think disc brakes would be cool and functional. Go pooh pooh someone elses Post. I am looking for help with this conversion not a lecture about GVW and worth or effort involved. If you would like to keep your truck stock then so be it. Does anyone have any constructive ideas for this topic that do not involve personal opinions.