so the time is coming to put the 8.8 in and im wanting to get an explorer axle for the disks, im just wondering the little stuff i need to know about the disk brakes, what do i need to get for them to work or do the lines just hook up??? how do you go about extending the parking brake line??? i heard something about a master cylinder possibly needing to be changed and also that it doesnt, just trying to figure out what is true and what isnt......

 

you will also have to weld on shock mounts, and spring plates.....the Explorer axles have the spring over axle so you will need plates on the top of the axle for the spring to sit on..........and since the shock mounts to the lower spring plate and not the axle, you will have to weld on shock tabs.....

 

ya i already know about all that crap, im trying to figure out the disk brakes........

 

The Explorer feed hose wyes into the DS brake hose and it it way too short for the Ranger SOA setup, especially a 4x4. You can use 2 passenger side Ex hoses and reuse the Ranger t-block and hard lines (shortened).

The Ranger rear parking brake subcables won't work but you should be able to adapt the Ex parts.

2000-back Rangers used mechanical proportioning valves and you should change over to the Ex disc part for proper front-to-rear proportioning.

 

ok i dont mean to sound retarted but the first part kinda confuses me, the main hose comes back to the ds brake hose on an explorer??? so than ill need to lengthen the hose to reach the center t-block right??? just making sure i under stand this, and where is the proportion valve???? is there only one???

 

The hose on a Ranger comes from the DS frame rail to a tee block on the top of the diff. It then splits into 2 steel hard lines that go directly to the L & R drum backing plates.

The Explorer hose that I've seen comes down from the DS rail to the DS of the axle where it is wyed into the DS caliper brake hose. The third port of the hose goes to a steel hard line that goes all the way across the axle to the PS caliper hose. The Ex hose that comes down from the frame rail is way too short for a Ranger using a "spring over" axle.

The Explorer calipers need a flex hose at both sides because, unlike drum brakes, disc calipers move in relation to the axle when they operate and as the pads wear. When you install Ex disc brakes on a Ranger, you will also need a flex hose at each caliper.

I would install the Ranger feed hose and tee block on the Ex diff housing exactly like it is on your Ranger now. Then run steel hard lines to meet the flex hoses on each side. You can either shorten your Ranger's steel lines or you can buy new shorter steel lines at an auto parts store.



The stock Ex DS hose is actually 2 hoses wyed together but the PS is just a simple hose. On a Ranger, it works well to use 2 passenger side Explorer hoses. The Explorer hoses include a bolt down mount that you should use to secure the junction between the hose and the steel line.



I'm sure that there is more than one way to setup the brake lines. However, I know the above will work because that's basically how we did it when we put Ex discs on Bill's Level II. https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...d.php?t=21614&

Proportioning valve: I don't know where yours is but it will be somewhere in the hardlines, probably under the hood near the ABS pump. I don't have a manual for your truck and my 03 uses a different ABS variant that does its proportioning in software. You'll have to look around for it.

This is one style of proportioning valve and yours may not look exactly the same:


Another option might be an adjustable proportioning valve that you can dial in to your liking after the install is complete. They are available from Ford Racing or several aftermarket sources:

 

wow bob thanks a ton you answered all my questions........

 

Hopefully bob reads this...

I jsut finished taking an explorer 8.8 out and i took the discs my buddy took the diff.. now a few questions i have and ive been talking lots will bill..if you look in this picture..


follow the rubber hose to the DS frame rail for the brakes...the exploder box is in the same spot..so if you can take all the lines off the exlporer diff you should beable to get a new rubber hose and leave the explorer set up and just tap into that box on the rails could you not?..ill be doing this today or this weekend..and the parking brakes ive figured out a new way that should work good better then the line crimps..i guess pics will only be able to explain..!

 

i wouldn't see why not......if the exploder setup is the exact same....all you should need is the rubber hoses from the hardlines to the calipers.....but Bob will tell you more precise why you prolly can't...

 

I'm not sure I follow that exactly but I will say this. The stock Explorer hose setup that drops down on the driver side is not long enough to use on a 4x4 Ranger, perhaps not long enough for any Ranger.

Bill (04lvl2) and I tried to use the stock Explorer setup on his 4x4 and it would not work. That's why we used the original Ranger tee and Ranger hard lines (shortened) along with 2 Explorer passenger side caliper hoses.

 

i think he is trying to ask why you couldnt just use the Explorer hardlines on the Ranger 8.8.....instead of having to cut the Ranger hardines and adding a fitting there to connect the rubber hose that goes to the caliper.......

i dont see why it wouldn't work....

 

He could lift the rear of the truck until the rear suspension is at full extension and then see if the Explorer hose that drops down on the driver side is long enough. If so, that might allow him to use the complete Explorer setup.

IIRC, on Bill's truck, it was way too short.

 

even with the Explorer hardlines? that is what he is wondering is if he can use the Explorer hardlines and all on his 8.8........which i dont see why not since it is the same axle excpet for the brakes and spring under axle setup....

 

I hate being a scavenger but I just have to ask. Is there an 8.8 in your truck already is it L/S and what are you doing with it if the answer to those to questions is yes. I would buy it from you if it is and would maybe even be able to get it soon as long as it is in Schenecatdy. I will be going up there to visit some friends in February.

 

Ranger:
The Ranger supply hose is much longer than the Explorer's and drops to the tee block at the top center of the diff. It then splits into two hardlines that go to the right and left brakes. The Ranger brake line layout is made for the Ranger frame and rear suspension which is not the same as the Explorer.

Explorer (1999 and probably other years with discs and solid rear axle):
The Explorer driver side caliper hose and the supply hose that drops down from the DS frame rail are made in one assembly of two hoses wyed together. The supply hose part of that assembly drops down on the driver side near the DS leaf spring. From there, one leg goes to the DS caliper and the other goes to a single hardline that travels across to the other side of the axle. Then that hardline meets the PS caliper hose.

When Bill and I did the rear discs on his 04 Level II, the original plan was to use the Explorer DS hose assembly and the single PS caliper hose. We didn't use the DS hose assembly because the segment that drops down from the DS frame rail to the axle was too short. Instead we used two PS Explorer hoses and adapted the stock Ranger hardlines to them.

I don't know how to explain it any better than that.

 

i guess i am not clearifing my self good.........i under stand that part^^^ o well...

 

...maurice your right... WHY cant i just make the hose longer..and connect it from the box to the hardline on the diff from the exlporer..i really dont feel like cutting and flaring..im positive itll work..i think i just gotta do it! haha BUT thanks for the help and support