How-To: Front Cobra disc brake conversion
 

How-To author: Dangerranger01

Original thread: https://www.ranger-forums.com/f59/ho...version-98833/


Let the modding Begin!!

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***So because so many hosers can't search and see for themselves what is involved in a COBRA front disc brake swap, i've complied these pictures and notes for such a thing....Enjoy!!!




This 'How To' is to put COBRA front disc brake onto a RANGER. The COBRA has 13inch rotors with large piston calipers. This setup is a MAJOR improvement to the stock RANGER disc brakes up front.

This conversion is only for 2wd, coil sprung RANGERs. This set up will NOT work for EDGE for 4wd Rangers.

Step 1: Obtain the out of production kit from some dude in Canada.:
Attachment 115500




Step 2: Take off old front brakes, and bolt on modified front hub:
Attachment 115501

http://i718.photobucket.com/albums/w...01/brakes4.jpg

Attachment 115502


Step 3: Slide on front rotors and bolt on new Caliper:
Attachment 115503

Attachment 115504

Attachment 115505

Step 4: Bleed brakes, bleed in new rotors and pads, and enjoy new big brake kit!!!!:

Attachment 115506

***I went with Stainless Steel braided lines because it is badass and the most highest performance i could do when doing this swap.



And you're done!!!

I wish these kits were still around

I didn't do the Cobra Conversion - but I did put 12 inch Sport-Trac rotors on my '96 this afternoon. I made the adapters ahead of time, and took 5 hours to install them. I flattened the dust shields so they could fit. and had to grind the front 4mm bolt (8mm head) to provide clearance. The stock caliper bolts were NOT useable, contrary to what previous instructions stated, and I had to grind both the caliper frame AND the knuckles.

It sure stops a lot better now (have 225/70-16 tires/wheels)

what sorta adapters did you make?

I made spacers from 3/8X2 CRS with 2 sets of holes to match the bolt pattern of the caliper mounting frames, .875" apart, with d shaped spacers the thickness of the knuckle where the caliper frame attaches welded to the one set of holes (drilled, of course to fit the new 12mm bolts), and bolted the adapter to the knuckle, and the caliper mounting frame to the adapters. Took some grinding on both the knuckle and the caliper frame to provide clearance to align the bolts. Needed a set of small head high strength bolts to fasten the adapters to the knuckles, and caliper frame mounting bolts 3/8" or 10mm longer than stock to fasten the caliper frames to the adapters.

Oh nice did you get the hub adapters somewhere?

I have the oem calipers off my 03 Cobra and would like to use them on my 04 Ranger. I'll have no problem making the bracket for the calipers, but does anyone know what wheel hub was used?

I am also interested in what hubs are used... I did read somewhere that they were stock ranger brakes machined down to just the hub. I also have no problem sourcing the parts or doing the machine work... just would like any info before I start the project.

I was able to confirm this from another site.... They are ranger brakes machined down to the hub. Adding the cobra rotor to the outside of this will add about 1/4" to the track width. Here is a link to a company that sells bolt on kits. Ford Ranger - Kits

thanks for the link. its listed as 95-97 rwd rangers. My 04 Ranger has spindles with bolt on calipers. would this be the same as the 95-97?
I actually just replaced my brake rotors yesterday as they were due along with a noisy wheel bearing. I think I'm going to save the rotors and have them machined down. I already have 17" wheels, so that's not a problem.

No they are not the same as the 95-97. Mines a 2000 and I plan on designing/machining my own bracket to mount the cobra caliper.

ok. I will be doing the same.

Did you complete this? Did you retain the OE rotor or machine it down and use a Cobra rotor?

I have not yet completed this as I have been working on other things on the truck. I plan to tackle this soon though. I will be machining the hub down, using a 13" cobra rotor and ATS brembo brakes. The ATS brakes are fairly cheap and can be found easily. Obviously, I will have to design/machine a bracket but that wont be hard. I will post some photos when I start the project.

Thanks for the update. Good luck with the truck. I look forward to seeing your progress.

I'm currently building a custom big brake set up for my 2011 Ranger Sport. Will have custom machined hubs, custom caliper brackets using 4 piston Brembo calipers with GT-500 14" rotors.

No - no hub adapters required - the 2wd Sport-Trac rotors fit the spindles the same as the original OEM ranger rotors.They are integrated rotor/hub. Sorry for the delay (long) in answering