I recently bought a 98 Ranger, it needs a decent bit of work. Right now I am tackling the rear brake issue it has. The previous owner already had the rear disk conversion done on the truck. When I got the truck it had a busted caliper and busted caliper axle bracket also. I have read and read all the conversion how-to's and am still running into a problem. It seems the original owner had did a conversion, but he just pieced together one, seems he did not use all the parts from the same vehicle. I am having a hell of a time figuring it out. So im going to try and make this as easy as possible to explain.

Here is what was originally on the truck. The caliper and rotor. Notice how the rotor has multiple holes in it, looks like a generic rotor. Also notice how the caliper axle bracket has a "step" in it which would recess the caliper.






For the life of me I cannot figure out what vehicle that bracket came off of. This setup also has the vented rotors on the rear as you can see. So I got so frustrated I had NAPA up here at least 8 times bringing me Cobra calipers, GT calipers, Cobra Rotors, GT rotors, etc.. all do not fit.

So I figured why not just go with the write up on here and do it that way so I don't have any problems. I don't need vented rotors or anything, so I wanted to go with the rear mustang setup. So I went to the junkyard and got this rt side bracket off a 98 Mustang. Notice how its flush all the way across and does not have the recessed "step" in it like the original.



Figured ok.. now I can just put a GT caliper, pads, and rotors on it and all will be good. That was not the case. They do not fit even with the spacer behind them. If I spaced it out enough to clear there would not be enough studs left to mount the wheel. Heres how it fit




I am beyond frustrated at this point that I could just get a rear drum setup and call it a day. Im hoping some of you can help. Does the truck have an explorer rear end or something? What parts should set me straight? Thanks in advance!

 

Every disc brake conversion I've seen were on the ford 8.8 which are in explorers. I for the life of me don't know what they do on ranger axles. I wish I can be more help but that's all I know. On the explorer forum they have a disc brake conversion how to and using new parts. It'd be a lot better to replace everything anyway only cause of all the rust. You already have brake lines going back there might as well rather than doing drums. Maybe if you still have contact with the old owner ask him if he knows what brakes you need?

 

Yeah thats the problem, I don't have any contact of the previous owner :( He passed away and his daughter sold me the truck. There is a thread on here about how to do it on the Ranger, its just all my parts are different. I literally have had almost every brake part that NAPA stocks for the mustang and still nothing fits... im so frustrated... I can build a 700rwhp Supra but can't change brakes on a Ranger!! lol

 

The thread I was referring to was on the ranger station forums

 

Here is an overall view of my rear end if it helps at all

 

Well dang. Well try and check out the how to on the explorer forum. It requires a little work but like I said you'd have to replace it anyways. And atleast you wont need to run lines. Plus I believe with their write up they used mustang brakes and calipers. I can try and dig it up but I can't really copy it since im on my phone. Btw I wanna see this supra! Sounds like a beast!

 

Yeah looks like the 8.8

 

Well I don't know becausethere doesn't really look like there is any evidence of it ever being a spring under axle so it doesn't look like it was pulled from an ex. Unless rangers had 8.8s at all but I promise you it looks like the 8.8. Im not a ranger guy though so it'd be nice for someone to fill in.

 

Yeah im about to go get a case of beer, maybe that will fix everything? lol Im not trying to go OT but heres a vid of the car w/ a 71mm turbo on pump gas 20psi, making around 500rwhp, not tuned which explains the backfire. Now it has a 74mm on E85 running 28psi, dyoned 727rwhp at 28psi.

 

I also was thinking the calipers that the original owner had on the truck could not be from an explorer as the ebrake mechanism is totally different.

 

It should be the 7.5 then. Id go ahead and get new parts then knowing that

 

Im still confused, lol.. order what new parts? All the new ones I ordered do not fit, lol

 

No like new bracketry specifically for the 7.5 and install the brakes they ask for in this kit you found from ranger station

 

look up the tag on the axle. if its an 8.8 from a 95 or newer then it came stock with discs. if its a 7.5, then it could be a generic kit or it coud be a kit for an older mustang with drums and a 7.5

 

those are def from something else, if you look at the how to for the disk brakes, your supposed to cut part of that backing plate and yours arent like that.

 

Thats a 7.5 axle.....
Your best bet is to go find your self and Expo axle at this point. You brakes were done with a mustang kit. so i doubt you'll be finding anything to fit.

 

You hit the nail on the head! I posted over at ford ranger forum as that is where the original write up was posted. Someone replied and showed me that I need to mount the bracket for the caliper on the inside of the axle mount holes, not the outside.

The reason I mounted them on the outside is that's how the other brackets were mounted and it just looks right like that, lol. I thought that the reason people cut the brackets was to avoid removing the axles to install them.. but the more I think about it, they need to come out anyway!

I really appreciate the help and everyone on here has been more than nice. I look forward to posting on the forums as I am going to be tackling a lot of odds and ends soon here. So far on here I have:

Figured out the rear brakes
Learned to get rid of my air bag light for $3
Tore apart my 4 wheel drive motor and found a broken magnet

Thanks a lot everyone!

 

no problem, we all try to help out when we can. yeah your going to have to remove the axles, and while your doing that might as well replace at least the axle seals and i would probly replace the bearings, since you already have it open.