Early Brakes/knuckles/Spindles on a 95-96 ABS Bronco

[Vintage Iron Fab]

Hello All,
On a 95-96 with the ABS-- what are some issues with using the early 80's FSB/F150 knuckles, hubs, spindles, & brakes. The earlier setup allows the use of the T-bird caliper which is supposed to be night and day better braking-- the replacement parts are cheaper if I am not mistaken as well. I am trying to think if ditching the ABS throws a code somewhere that causes an issue or basically nothing happens.

Thanks,
Matt

[philofab]

Hello All,
On a 95-96 with the ABS-- what are some issues with using the early 80's FSB/F150 knuckles, hubs, spindles, & brakes. The earlier setup allows the use of the T-bird caliper which is supposed to be night and day better braking-- the replacement parts are cheaper if I am not mistaken as well. I am trying to think if ditching the ABS throws a code somewhere that causes an issue or basically nothing happens.

Thanks,
Matt

The earlier stuff is 6 bolt on the spindle to knuckle and much stronger. It has no provision for ABS sensors so the ABS light will come on. Once the ABS light is on the computer disables the ABS pump and the truck reacts like a non ABS model. Mine has been without ABS sensors since I put my beams on.

[PaulW]

Hello All,
On a 95-96 with the ABS-- what are some issues with using the early 80's FSB/F150 knuckles, hubs, spindles, & brakes. The earlier setup allows the use of the T-bird caliper which is supposed to be night and day better braking-- the replacement parts are cheaper if I am not mistaken as well. I am trying to think if ditching the ABS throws a code somewhere that causes an issue or basically nothing happens.

Thanks,
Matt

=======
Hi again,
There is no technical reason not to use what came on the 95/96. They will give good service and are better than the vintage stuff. The only vintage part on my 96 is the bolted front diff. Old stuff is never as good as new stuff.
Deleting the abs is not a good idea. The thing will beep at you and throw a code. What I do is switch it off when driving off road and live with the beeps. The codes go away after a while. Having said all that there seems to be no harm since the ABS is operational after I switch it back on. Be prepared for unusual tire lockup, especially in front. In other words for the price of a switch, fuse holder, and a few feet of wire the ABS can be temporarly defeated.
Paul

[johncharlesb]

The ABS in my trucks was way to soft. If a tire hit a loose spot and the abs kicked in the braking was too light until you pulled your foot all the way off the pedal. I could of out braked the ABS in the 95 Bronco and my Excursion easily with standard brakes.

[Vintage Iron Fab]

I have to politely disagree-- my excursion is way touchy on the ABS and it becomes a bit unnerving sometimes. I am thinking that if you can either get a resistance measurement or a factory spec value for the ABS sensor. You could go to radio shack-- buy a resistor for that spec-- add some good adhesive lined heat shrink and just tuck the connector -minus the sensor- in the loom. As far as the computer is concerned you never are hitting the brakes so the light or codes don't get thrown. If you ever need to make it all go back to stock you just take it all out. That is how a known EFI guy "fixes" taking EGR out of the 89-93 Mustang fuel injection without reburning the computer. Many of the older calipers are all brand new repops anyway-- and the thought of having more grab on the brakes, better strength and a wider range of parts availability in the middle of no-where would be a big plus in my book.

Thoughts???

[Dust]

Thoughts???

My personal preference is to defeat the ABS 100% of the time.
I've seen several hilarious fender benders and two serious wrecks caused by the ABS on snow and Ice.
Snow and Ice, exactly the place ABS SHOULD work... I generally remove the ABS and that light bulb; and I have not had the need for ABS yet; then again I learned to drive on the race track.

"Statistically" ABS saves lives!
Unfortunately "Statistics" can not be applied to the individual; and, I have experienced far to many instances where ABS endangered mine!

[philofab]

I prefer vehicles without ABS. I have had no problems since removing the ABS on my Bronco. No beeps, no codes, odd behavior. Before removing I had many close calls due to it. It may have been malfunctioning when those issues happened on road, I don't know or care. I still have more control without it than with in the conditions I face here 95% of the time.

FYI, this thread is about TTB parts not braking systems. This should be moved to a "Braking systems or ABS" thread.

[SteveG]

FYI, this thread is about TTB parts not braking systems. This should be moved to a "Braking systems or ABS" thread.

That was my fault. I merged it into this thread. After rereading it, I think you're right... moving to its own thread. Sorry for the confusion.

[PaulW]

FYI, this thread is about TTB parts not braking systems. This should be moved to a "Braking systems or ABS" thread.

That was my fault. I merged it into this thread. After rereading it, I think you're right... moving to its own thread. Sorry for the confusion.

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Steve, if you can please bust them apart and make Philo summary a stand alone , and considet locking it. Good stuff there and not so good stuff on the ABS subject. Just let the ABS thread die on its own.
Thanks, Paul