We have a 2002 Ranger Edge 3.0 gas. Its a step side extended cab. Has the 7.5 differential with disc front and drum brakes back. We have owned it 5 years. Bought it with 140k miles and its at 195k now. Its always had stopping issues. Ive complete;y bled the system. Everything is new front and back complete;y replaced. It has serious stopping issues. I have to run the truck backward to adjust the brakes every so often. I have searched the forum and online and cant seem to find this issue.

Any input is appreciated.

 

You just need to pump the E-brake pedal to adjust rear shoes tight to drums, does same thing as backing up and stopping

Rangers, and pickup trucks in general, have 70/30 proportioning, 70% of pedal pressure goes to front brakes, 30% to rear
Cars and SUVs use 60/40

So if stopping is limited then could be master or front calipers, usually not rear brakes

You probably have 2 brake lines coming out of the Master, rear line is for front brakes and front line is for rear brakes.
So if there is a problem in master you don't lose all 4 brakes, just 2, and a problem in Master may only effect front brakes

You may also have 4 wheel ABS
If the 2 lines from the Master run to a larger unit with those 2 lines plus 3 more lines then you do have 4WABS

These require a special tool to bleed, if system was ever run dry

 

SO pump and release the e brake several times adjust the back brakes?

It stops fine when the back brakes will engage. You can definitely tell when they dont engage as all the stopping is in the front and the backs dont do anything until the absolute last minute.

The system has never been run dry. I have simply bled it until the fluid finally comes out somewhat close to clean.

My original thought was the proportioning valve was sticking, but I have ruled that out. I then got to thinking that the back brake adjusters were in backward if thats even possible. I havent found a schematic to be able to tell as each side is different.

Thoughts on swapping the rears to disc brakes? Kit? Different differential? Or simply not worth the time and effort?

Thank you for the response. I appreciate you time.

 

Yes, hold out the E-brake release and just pump the pedal, you should feel it get tighter if shoes were out of adjustment

If star wheels were reversed you would know, they would get very "grabby", lock up easily

Rear discs prevent easy lockup which drums tend to do when braking hard on pickups, but actual braking power wouldn't change, shoes are actually better than discs for stopping power
And to get the advantage of rear disc you should get rear disc Master, 2010/11 Ranger master or Explorer master, 60/40 proportioning

Rear brakes don't do alot on pickups, front brakes have the power, I thought there were upgrades for the front discs, but not sure

Are you running larger than stock tires?
The heavier weight makes a difference in braking power

And do you have 4WABS?

 

It does have 4 wheel ABS. Yes larger tires as well. BFG 31-10/5 15 AT. The truck is well maintained. I have bled the system several times thinking it was air. It has never been run out of brake fluid in the master cylinder.

An update... I used the e brake method to adjust the brakes and the brakes stay working properly for 2-3 days or 75-90 miles. Most of that is highway commuting. After that the brakes become grabby and the rears lock up

Pics of the truck attached.


easily.