Disc Brake conversion complete

[ttbit]

I finally swapped out my rear diff in the '01 ST. I was going to start the 5.0 swap this month, but selling the house got in the way and I have to find a place to live first as the house owners where I was going to buy (with two garages) backed out.

Anyway, I had a 1996 Explorer parts car that I purchased and grabbed the rear diff out of it. I am surprised that hardly anything holds the '01 diff in place. On the '96 there is a third shock and two bars that hold it in place where as the '01 relies on the leafs and shocks alone. Speaking of which, my passenger leaf was broken right at the bracket! It took me about 3 hours to get that thing apart as it was rusted solid. A lot of cutting with a wheel that wouldn't quite reach the center of the bolt was used. I believe the break and rust was caused by the owner before me who cut the tailpipe near the end and the exhaust gas and condensation is aiming directly at that leaf bracket. I have no idea why he/she did this.

I used the leaf out of the '96 Explorer. It is working much better than the broken one. I was wondering why the rear end bounced so much when I gave it more than half throttle. I am sure it is not a perfect match, but I just wanted to make sure I had it running for now.

The brakes seem to work fine. The part numbers for the master cylinder match for '01 and '03, so I figured they use the same one for disc brakes as they do with drum. I read that they are electronically balanced/biased and that seems to be working fine. I did some hard practice stops in the rain and no problems with the rear locking.

I have the parts for the parking brakes but haven't finished that yet. I just need to join the cables.

Anyway, thought I would share. It would have been a pretty quick swap, but that leaf cost me half the day.

 

[rwenzing]

I am surprised that hardly anything holds the '01 diff in place. On the '96 there is a third shock and two bars that hold it in place where as the '01 relies on the leafs and shocks alone.

The two traction bars are found on the axle used in the 5.0L Explorers. V6's get along without them.

Nice swap.

 

[ttbit]

The two traction bars are found on the axle used in the 5.0L Explorers. V6's get along without them.

Nice swap.

Thanks. What about that 3rd shock? It reminds me of a damper shock from Fox bodied Mustangs. There is a mount for it on the frame. I really didn't even look to see if there was a place on the frame for the traction bars. I didn't realize those were traction bars. I have never seen a setup quite like that. Thank you for the clarification.

We found a rental with a 3 car garage, so if I don't have too much storage in the garage, I may be continuing my 5.0 project next month.

 

[rwenzing]

It would be cool to find a way to use the factory 5.0 traction bars on the 5.0 ST.

The sideways shock appears to be an anti side sway measure on the Gen 2 (and possibly other) Explorers. I've never seen one on any Rangers and Tracs.

 

[Yardsale]

My '01 Job1 Trac has brackets on the front right side of the rear diff. and the right frame rail that appear to be for a rod or shock. Never asked what it is for.

 

[JustDoIt]

Did it bolt in or did you have to move the spring perches or any thing like that?

 

[ttbit]

Did it bolt in or did you have to move the spring perches or any thing like that?

It bolted in. The only modifications you really need to make are to the parking brake lines. Drove it all week and the brakes feel great.

Also, there is a mount on the frame and the ST diff for the 3rd shock. They just opted not to bolt one in, I guess. I might see about removing the Tbars and mounts off the Explorer today. I really need to get that thing hauled off this week though!