Help needed! Ranger Axles/Drums

[50Dro]

I'm working on converting my 87 GT to 5 lug by using Ranger, Bronco II or Aerostar axles and drums...Here's the dilema:

The axles I bought were said to be "Ranger axles" but the hubcentric hub is larger than that of the 87 GT setup and the Ranger drums that I picked up at NAPA. The 87 hub (an Ranger drum) is approximately 2.5" diameter while the axles are 2.75" in diameter.

The only match (9" drum & 2.75" bore) for the drum at NAPA was off of a 2000 Ranger. While I think I can make that work, I'm afraid that it may screw me if I want to upgrade to SN95 disc brakes later on. From all the reading I've done, these are the vehicles that I should be scavenging from:

• ‘83 to ‘92 4 cylinder or 3.0L V6 Ranger/Bronco II with a 7.5” rear end, driver’s side axles

• 86 to 97 Aerostar, two passenger side axles
• Drums - either side of the above listed vehicles but make sure that they are 9” drums. The 4.0L Rangers came with an 8.8” rear end with 10” drums - these will not work.

Can anyone here that's been through this help? Please specify your setup (drum, disc, and from which vehicle) and any specific measurements that you can share.

Thanks!!

[lib88stang]

buy drums off an older ranger, like 88.

[wick]

I'm afraid that it may screw me if I want to upgrade to SN95 disc brakes later on.

Thanks!!

It wont screw you. You cant use Ranger axles with the SN-95 disc. You need SN axles which are .75 longer per side.

[50Dro]

It wont screw you. You cant use Ranger axles with the SN-95 disc. You need SN axles which are .75 longer per side.

This is what I was hopeful to do:

http://home.comcast.net/~mjbobbitt/mustang/page9.html

[50Dro]

buy drums off an older ranger, like 88.

Did that but they don't fit over the axles I have... That's my main dilemma. See details above.

[50Dro]

Figured it out...Turns out the axles were SN95 axles...Anyone need a set?!?!?!?!? I'm now back in the market for Ranger axles!

[wick]

For where your at now you might as well get yourself 2 brackets, 2 calipers and call yourself disc. Summit sells the M-2300-M kit. Its the cobra rotors and mounting brackets. Cheap too.

[50Dro]

They do sell that rather cheap! I think there would be a laundry list of other parts to buy from what I can see? Master cylinder, proportioning valve, axles, brake lines, calipers, pads, etc that would nickle & dime me to death. I already have more in this project than anticipated. Probably just stick with the drums for now

Also...Will this work on a fox 8.8"? It's listed for 94-03. Are you running this kit? Thanks for the heads up!

[wick]

They do sell that rather cheap! I think there would be a laundry list of other parts to buy from what I can see? Master cylinder, proportioning valve, axles, brake lines, calipers, pads, etc that would nickle & dime me to death. I already have more in this project than anticipated. Probably just stick with the drums for now

Also...Will this work on a fox 8.8"? It's listed for 94-03. Are you running this kit? Thanks for the heads up!

Yes. I am running it. Its not that bad really. You dont need the master, booster or prop valve to get it going. I ran mine with the 3 port FOX system for a year or 2 with no issues. It worked very well. I only changed it up this year cause I did my whole engine bay and custom brake lines. No prop valve, just the manual one right off the master. All you would really need is a set of cables, the kit I showed you and some calipers which you can get from a junk yard usually with pads. Use front hoses for the rear and you dont have to fool with anything.

[50Dro]

Yes. I am running it. Its not that bad really. You dont need the master, booster or prop valve to get it going. I ran mine with the 3 port FOX system for a year or 2 with no issues. It worked very well. I only changed it up this year cause I did my whole engine bay and custom brake lines. No prop valve, just the manual one right off the master. All you would really need is a set of cables, the kit I showed you and some calipers which you can get from a junk yard usually with pads. Use front hoses for the rear and you dont have to fool with anything.

Thanks Rob!! That's interesting for sure! Question on the calipers...Can I use SN95 Calipers or do they have to be Cobra, Bullitt, etc. I'm guessing I can get SN95 Calipers pretty cheap in a yard.

[wick]

Thanks Rob!! That's interesting for sure! Question on the calipers...Can I use SN95 Calipers or do they have to be Cobra, Bullitt, etc. I'm guessing I can get SN95 Calipers pretty cheap in a yard.

SN calipers. They are all the same. The only difference is the pads. Cobra pads are thinner to mate to the thicker rotor.

[50Dro]

Thanks!! That's very tempting! If I go that route I may be tapping your brain some more for the finite details (if you don't mind?).

Picked up some axles today at a yard. Turns out the Aerostar right side works even though it has a 10" drum. The article I read made it seem as if the drum on the Aerostar needed to be a 9" for the axle to work...Maybe I was just confused?!?!?!??

What have you guys paid for axles at a yard? They charged me $50 a side which I though was a bit steep. Again...the reference article said that they should be around $20 each...Oh well...At least I'm a step closer...

[wick]

Sure bud, I'll help ya out with what I know and have been through on mine.

[50Dro]

Sorry to keep asking so many questions... You mentioned that you can't use Ranger axles with the SN95 discs. Are the disc included in the brake kit you suggested not SN95? If they are, what axles are you using on your Fox Body? Did you change the whole rear end to the SN95?

It wont screw you. You cant use Ranger axles with the SN-95 disc. You need SN axles which are .75 longer per side.

[wick]

Sorry to keep asking so many questions... You mentioned that you can't use Ranger axles with the SN95 discs. Are the disc included in the brake kit you suggested not SN95? If they are, what axles are you using on your Fox Body? Did you change the whole rear end to the SN95?

I have 31 spline SN length axles in my car with the stock fox housing. The kit I recommended to you has rotors, dust shields brackets that bolt to the axle for caliper mounting and the anti moan brackets.

[50Dro]

Thanks...If that kit requires that I widen the rear track then I'm out as the 18x10's won't fit. I'd have to go with the North Racecar setup.

I didn't think you could put SN axles in a Fox? Aren't the SN housings wider therefore changing where the bearings would mate with the axle on the Fox housing?

[wick]

Thanks...If that kit requires that I widen the rear track then I'm out as the 18x10's won't fit. I'd have to go with the North Racecar setup.

I didn't think you could put SN axles in a Fox? Aren't the SN housings wider therefore changing where the bearings would mate with the axle on the Fox housing?

No. All the housings are the same. Its the axle length that differs. The SN axles, not the housing, are .75 longer per side to give a total 1.5" wider in the rear. The SN axles are required to run the Cobra and factory type brake set up.

I dont know anything about the North racecar set up. I just remember seeing somewhere about using some caddy calipers and other make-shift stuff to make it work. I wanted mine perfect so I did the ford stuff.

[50Dro]

Darn!! Drums it is then...I have to keep the stock track for the wheels I'm using. I'm assuming you're running something less than a 10" wheel in the back then?

yeah...I've read about Lincoln Mk VII set ups and Caddy setups, but like you liked the idea of all SN95 setup. Back to the drawing board I guess. I did see a few Mk VII's at the yard this weekend...hmmmmmm...decisions, decisions...probably just go with the drums unless the Mk VII route seems easy enough?:(

[50Dro]

Update...You CAN use the Ford Racing M-2300-m kit AND keep the fox track!!! (with some modification of course)

Check out this thread! http://forums.corral.net/forums/showthread.php?t=446998

Has anyone here tried this?