Massive front brakes?

[scottyawd]

Hey people,
I'm curious about upgrading the brakes on my 91 Explorer. Can I take the 12" rotors and calipers (and caliper brackets) off the front of a later model Explorer? Are there any after market brake kits that you would advise over any other? The reason I ask is that I was talking to a former Ford tech who told me that the front brakes are NOTORIOUS for premature pad wear, and rotor warping. In my experience this is true. I've got 121k on my truck, and I'm on the third set of rotors, and at $130 a set, I'm beginning to wonder about alternatives. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Shen2187]

I've heard rumors of swapping out for mustang rotors and calipers but I've never really looked into it. And yes the rotors are prone to warping and the pads wear funky. Especially if the little pins that hold the calipers in happen to back out (like mine did)

You might want to surf the net and see what you come up with for the mustang brake conversion. Chances are you would probably need bigger wheels if you were to do it.

 

[donlightbody]

I don't think you could swap from a later model, the way the disk mounts is quite different due to the hub/bearing unit on the 2nd/3rd gens.

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

cough SPDRCER cough

As for the rotors/pads warping, try matching a good sets of rotors with a good set of pads. You might also look into swapping the rear to disc brakes so the braking load, if you can call it that, will be more evenly distributed.

I'm trying out Performance Friction Carbon Metallic pads, and they seem to be working really well.

But I know what you mean about the rotors warping, that's why I used to just run the cheapest I could, but I invested into this set to last a while.

But look up username SpdRcer34, if you're wanting to look at a brake upgrade, lol

 

[ghosttrain2]

I bought rotors from this company 3 years ago, and replaced the pads again after that, and so far, have not had any warping. They were pricey, but so far worth it. http://www.appliedrotortechnology.com/

 

[sjr033]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=193870&highlight=SpdRcer34

 

[Spdrcer34]

I was able to swap in some MASSIVE 13" Cobra Brakes on my 1992 2WD Explorer.

It wasn't cheap, OR easy. But I was the first one to do it.

Now that it is done, It's easier, AND cheaper.


I used an Early Mustang Hub, retained my spindle. But modified (machined) it and added a Steel Adapter. Other versions of this swap used later spindles and an Aluminum Adapter. Aluminum has not been proven to hold up in this application. As a matter of fact it has been proven to be a SAFETY NIGHTMARE in this application. Case in point: Saleen/Alcon Brakes on the Saleen Explorers were re-called due to the aluminum adapter that was used. Consumers paid big $$ for the brake upgrade, only to have them recalled, taken off the Vehicles, Stock Explorer Brakes installed and the Saleen/Alcon hardware was returned to Saleen to get destroyed.

If you want it done, I can do it for you.

Ryan

 

[Jlaudio_explorer]

Here are the brakes I'm going to put on my Ex when I'm done with the front axle build.

 

[Spdrcer34]

I hate to be the one to say it, but THOSE BRAKES ARE ****

I had the EXACT same ones on my X for about a year....





Those cracks go all of the way through the cast iron. The cheap chinese blanks they are using are GARBAGE. There is WAY TOO MUCH casting flash on them and the walls are too thin.

I went with cross drilled and slotted AGAIN when I did my Cobra Brake Upgrade, but they are done on Brembo Blanks, AND the material is over 50% thicker than the stock Explorer ones, and almost 100% thicker than the cheap chinese ones.

Ryan

 

[Jlaudio_explorer]

These are not the cheap eBay ones that they pop off to dumb people for under $100.00 I paid $326.00 for those brakes you are calling ****.

 

[Jlaudio_explorer]

Mine have a 2 year guarantee not to crack or break. If they do I get a refund or replacement. Those are not the same they have curved slots which don't perform as well they just look better.

 

[Spdrcer34]

Well, they ARE ****. You will see. Just remember who told you first.

If you want good brakes, it's not too late to step it up a notch (or 3) and get some Cobra Brakes. With the GT500 brakes gaining in popularity, the old Cobra Brakes are dropping in price...

You can't fight physics. Thin cast metals develop cracks MUCH easier when heat cycling, versus their thicker counterparts. All things being equal, Larger Diameter brakes will stop much better than their smaller diameter counterpart.

Defend your purchase all you want. I'm not just repeating something I heard on the internet. I literally JUST took those pictures in my shop...Even the OEM, made in the USA castings are just TOO THIN for the crossdrilling. PERIOD.

Besides...this thread is Titled "massive front brakes"....NOT: "How to make your already inadequate front rotors even worse"....

THESE are 'massive' front brakes (note: the rim shown is 18"):



NOT yours.

 

[Jlaudio_explorer]

I cant fit those brakes or I would. I'm not going bigger than 15 inch rims. My truck is a toy and not driven often. Only to and from the trails. I am fine with what I bought. Who leaves their rotors on more than 2 years? If I have a problem before that they will send me new ones so it doesn't matter. I cant imagine those fitting under a 15 inch wheel.

 

[Jlaudio_explorer]

Measure the thickness or your rotors and send a pic of it. I want to see how much of a difference they are from mine.

 

[Jlaudio_explorer]

Also how did you get the calipers to fit? Custom or did they just fit?
how much would you charge to do that? what is the smallest rim you think I could fit with those?
They wont fit a 4wd will they? Never mind then ill just stick with what I got I guess.
I wish I would have known this before I bought them because they also had slotted only.

 

[Punjab]

Well, they ARE ****. You will see. Just remember who told you first.

If you want good brakes, it's not too late to step it up a notch (or 3) and get some Cobra Brakes. NOT yours.

I think you tend to forget you're one of the few people on the planet that actually prefers to drive a 2 wheel drive Explorer. Not that what you've done with your brakes isn't a slick idea. It is, but Mustangs don't come in 4x4.

 

[Spdrcer34]

Punjab....I own 2 Explorers. One Lowered `92 2WD. And one Lifted `93 4x4.

I am in the process of acquiring the parts I need to put Upgraded Brakes on the 4x4.

I had those old rotors on my Explorer just about 9 or 10 months when the cracks started to appear. EVERY SINGLE HOLE has a crack in it.

The Cobra rotors are 1.2" thick, with 'pillars' in the air cooling space between the braking surfaces, instead of long thick 'vanes'.

I had to do a bit of machine work to the spindle to get them to fit. And have a custom bracket made to fit.

The smallest wheel you can get on here is 17".



Ryan

 

[Four0Sport]

I cant fit those brakes or I would. I'm not going bigger than 15 inch rims. My truck is a toy and not driven often. Only to and from the trails. I am fine with what I bought. Who leaves their rotors on more than 2 years? If I have a problem before that they will send me new ones so it doesn't matter. I cant imagine those fitting under a 15 inch wheel.

um.. lots and lots and lots of people.

my 93 still has the factory rotors with very slight warping, my 97 has Bendix rotors all the way around and thats been at least 3 yrs and they are still in great condition.

 

[Spdrcer34]

It is true that Explorers seemed to go through brakes a bit faster than anything else in it's class. If they were a little larger it wouldn't have been an issue.

If you are in fact 'just driving to and from the trails' like you say you are, you will EASILY see 5 to 10 years on a set of rotors (just not THOSE rotors). I just hope you don't get the rotors too hot on the trail, then decide to go in a deep puddle.....You'll be able to HEAR them cracking!

Ryan

 

[Jlaudio_explorer]

I'm not one to keep rotors more than 2 years on any car I drive. I prefer to replace things before they fail. I will just have to wait and see how long they last. When they start to crack I will pull them off. I don't use my brakes that often on the trail I am mostly using engine braking in 4wd low. most trails I don't go over 5MPH. Let me know when you can do a set for the 4wd model. By then I will need new rotors anyway. Know of a good off road tire that fits a 17? I saw your other Explorer in the background its the same color as mine. By the way I love those rims on your lowered one. I want those on 2 of my cars in chrome.