2001 ranger reg cab reg bed 2wd EDGE. 3.0 5 speed manual ABS system

I have replaced or previous owner has replaced:
both front calipers and properly lubed pins
pads
rotors
drums
shoes
brake hardware kit (springs and such)

Only things original are ABS module, hardlines, rubber hoses, rear wheel cyl.
I have checked and made sure both pistons in each rear wheel cyl freely move with zero leaks.


problem is normal driving it stops nice no major nose diving or pulling or anything weird. Under hard emergency braking i can jam the pedal about half way down and it hits a stop. it feels like im on the floor but nowhere near the floor (i think fords just have a very short pedal travel range unlike chevys that im used to) but the truck while stopping firmly was nowhere near activating ABS and its not activating and one of those like woa WOA moments where you can tell something aint right. The abs should kick in well before im standing on the hard stop.

Ideas??? no fluid loss or leaks. My only thought is the 18 year old hoses are bulging out under hard braking thus reducing the actual pressure to the pistons. They dont look cracked or dryrotted though.

 

so update - coworker of mine suggested pulling the ABS fuse so its not trying to activate and slam on the brakes to see what happens. My rear wheels are near total lock up as im pressing hard into the firm block in the pedal travel, front wasn't attempting to skid.

I vaguely remember having a weird issue months to a year ago where every so often the front right wheel would be come hyper sensitive and actually lock up under light braking.

I now am wondering if ive got air in the ABS system...Ive also read where there needs to be a special adapter and somethign to properly bleed the abs unit...OR ive heard go drive around on grass or sand and kick in the abs system a buncha times.

Any thoughts or truths?

 

So i think thier fixed now.
Went out on a gravel road, got to 45mph with abs fuse in and slammed on the brakes to activate abs pump. did that forwards and back several times.Also did it without abs fuse in. Seems to be back to normal and feels more confident in stopping.

Still should try to bleed them the normal way i suppose.

 

Thanks for the updates and fixes tried

 

Its possible that due to age it accumulated enough moisture to cause issues. I would take the time to do a full system flush now that they seem to work "better" now.