Rear axle swap?

[bigDerk]

Since some of the newer Explorers came with 4.10's and disc brakes in the rear, how difficult would this be to swap the complete axle onto a 91-94 Explorer with drum brakes? As far as I know, the spring perches and all mounts are the same, but what would be involved in converting it to the disc brakes? Would it be as easy as reconnecting the brake lines (maybe bending some new lines) and bleeding the brakes? Also what about the rear ABS, would this swap cause any problems for it?

 

[TarHeel085]

i know Dannyboy has done this, so wait for him to answer.

 

[dbarale]

I know Dannyboy did it not so long ago, he didn't replace the master cylinder and really likes it.
I don't remember about the ABS but the easier would be to ask him directly...

 

[dbarale]

Oh well, TarHeel just types faster than me...LOL

 

[rpenner54]

There is a writeup on the main page on how to do this. This is with a Superlift 5.5" lift but the same answers can be found on there for the regular Explorer too. Should be a direct swap. If you need to do anything with the breaking is should just be adjusting a valve? in the master cylinder. Rick, Brett would know that answer, I can't remember.

 

[bigDerk]

Thanks guys!

 

[93Ranger]

Derk, Brandon Miller over at the rangerforum might know. i think he did this.

I at least know that there are a bunch of us over their that did the disc swap and could tell you if the ABS is a problem or not.

www.rangerpowersports.com/forum

you probabally already knew that.

 

[Dannyboy]

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you Dannyboy. Thanks for the warm intro. ABS plugs right in, the easiest thing to do is to go and purchase a right side hose and use this on the left side, reroute your lines to the center of the diff, like the 91-94, because the 98 axle I had had the distro block on the left side, the hose went right out of this(hence use 2 right side hoses) and this way you can flex the axle and not worry about the hose getting pulled off of the frame. It went sooo smooth, just put on new front brake pads today and pedal got much firmer, so I will not adjust master cylinder. Otherwise it is a good upgrade, stopping is much firmer and does not seem to jolt me forward, but ease me down at HWY speeds. Now Big derk it is unethical for you to swap your crappy drum brakes into your 99 ranger with nice discs that will go into your explorer so you can sell the ranger to some sorryass that doesn't know any better, but I'll never tell!!!!

 

[93Ranger]

Dannyboy, i dont think he would swap out the axle from his ranger. the Ex axle is a few inches wider than a ranger back end. it sucks, but hey, that the way life goes.

 

[bigDerk]

Well if the Ranger even had disc brakes...

Thanks for the info Dannyboy, good to know it's an easy swap. Now I just gotta keep my eye out for a complete axle... *crosses fingers*