Hello all! New to the forum and site, I found this site while searching for an answer to my brake problem. If any of you have encountered this problem before, and were able to fix it pleeeeease share

2000 Ranger 4x4.
4 Door.
3.0 Auto.
4 wheel ABS.

Here's my delema: The brake pedal in my truck feels just fine when you're making just a routine stop, but If you need to stop harder, its a no-go. The brake pedal just stops wanting to travel any further past the "normal stop" range and feels hard as a rock. It almost seems like a vacuum problem. The brakes feel like there's a vacuum problem when the truck is cold and you better let the truck warm up before you go driving it, then after warm-up, you have the OK normal stops, but still no hard braking. You CANNOT stop this truck hard enough to even get the antilock braks to activate unless you are on gravel or a wet surface. I have only ever driven one other Ranger with the same configuration as mine and it has the same problem so I'm hoping I haven't driven the only 2 Rangers with this problem. The pedal travels normally until it seems to hit a spot and then its hard.

There is no binding in the brake linkage. While bleeding, the pedal will travel all the way down the master cylinder bore.

Vacuum is always above 20hg, even while driving or stopping.

Vacuum booster replaced new from Ford w/ new check valve and hose to intake.

Master cylinder (w/cruise) replaced rmfg. unit.

Pads replaced twice w/ Titania-metallics. Wear is even.

New caliper hardware - Pistons still look like new in calipers.

New rotors.

New shoes and hardware.

New wheel cylinders.

Machined drums, still below machine dia.

ABS functions correctly if you're on a slippery surface - No ABS codes present.

ABS lights function properly.


None of the repairs to the truck have ever affected the problem...its always the same. Other than the brake problem I really like the truck, but this thing is dangerous.

If any of you have any ideas...thanks in advance!

Don