The Ford Ranger has led Australia’s new car sales charts since 2023 and was also New Zealand’s best seller from 2015 to 2024. Known for their versatility as tow and touring rigs, owners wanting to enhance the braking performance of their Ranger need look no further than Bendix’s extensive catalogue.
Bendix has a broad range of braking solutions for popular Ford Ranger models, spanning from earlier 2006 cars through to current generation vehicles.
Bendix offers many braking solutions for Ranger, spanning from early 2006 model year cars, to the current generation. Aside from consumables such as brake pads, shoes and rotors which are designed as a high-quality alternative to OE components, also available are Brake Upgrade Kits.
While Bendix’s Heavy Duty™ and 4WD/SUV™ brake pads and GeneralCT™ rotors are popular and perform very well, the most effective Bendix braking solutions for Ranger can be found in the Ultimate 4WD™ line-up, which includes kits developed to dramatically increase braking performance whether for everyday driving, touring or in trade applications.
Whether for trade applications, touring or extreme off-road work, Bendix likely has a braking solution to suit the application and budget.
Friction matters – Ultimate 4WD™ Brake Pads and Shoes
The best starting point for improving braking in a Ranger is by choosing friction materials especially formulated to suit the vehicle and application.
Bendix’s Ultimate 4WD™ Brake Pads and Brake Shoes – for earlier models with rear drum brakes – were developed at the company’s Ballarat, Victoria, R&D and manufacturing facility. These products are engineered with formulas specific to Ranger, combining over 15 ingredients leading to pads that deliver strong and durable braking, coupled with low dust and noise performance even in extreme conditions.
The friction formula also ensures high temperature stability, consistent brake feel and excellent fade resistance. In the brake pad products, this is combined with Bendix’s premium Mechanical Retention System (MRS) for improved pad attachment strength.
Bendix Ultimate 4WD™ Brake Drum Upgrade Kits feature high carbon metallurgy for improved durability and heat dissipation.
Premium metallurgy – Ultimate 4WD™ Disc Brake Rotors
When it comes to brakes, another critical aspect is the metallurgy of the disc brake rotors or brake drum. The high carbon metallurgy featured in Bendix Ultimate 4WD™ disc brake rotors help dissipate heat more efficiently, reducing the risk of brake fade and improving overall braking performance. This ability to withstand high temperatures therefore makes high carbon brake rotors better suited to demanding applications and conditions in which many Ford Rangers are driven.
Carbon is also a hardening element, which leads to stronger, more durable rotors that can better resist wear, cracking and warping under heavy load, while generally offering improved harmonics, quieter braking and less noise.
Also affecting braking performance is rotor face finish. Ultimate 4WD™ Disc Brake Rotors feature Bendix’s Diamond Tip Slot™ technology. These are specially designed V-shaped dimples and slots that help to more efficiently expel gasses, dirt and water from the rotor face when Ranger owners are negotiating tough conditions.
Bendix Ultimate 4WD™ Disc Brake Pads are engineered with formulas specific to Ranger and combine over 15 ingredients, leading to pads that deliver strong and durable braking, coupled with low dust and noise performance.
Complete packages – Ultimate 4WD™ Brake Upgrade Kits
With a brake upgrade kit, owners enjoy all the benefits of the individual components touched on earlier, but in the convenience and cost effectiveness of a front or rear kit. Bendix’s Ultimate 4WD™ Brake Upgrade Kits include Ultimate 4WD™ Disc Brake Rotors, and Brake Pads, Ultimate 4WD™ Brake Hoses, and ancillary products such as Heavy Duty Brake Fluid, Ceramasil Brake Parts Lubricant, Rotor Wipes and more.
Ultimate 4WD™ Big Brake Upgrade kits are also available for selected Ranger models for even greater braking performance. They’re comprehensive packages that include larger front rotors, powerful 6-piston front calipers (front kit), a rear drum to disc conversion and all the associated parts required to complete the work (rear kit), along with Ultimate 4WD™ Brake Pads, Brake Hoses and the ancillary products mentioned in the base Brake Upgrade Kits. All kits are available for both standard ride height and for vehicles with up to 50mm suspension lifts.
With a Bendix brake upgrade kit, Ford Ranger owners enjoy all the benefits of the individual brake components in the convenience and cost effectiveness of a kit.
These kits are 100 percent legal and comply with ADRs. The complexity of the Big Brake Kits means that in VIC, NSW, ACT, SA and TAS, an engineering inspection is needed to ensure they’ve been installed properly, after which a mod plate will be issued. For owners in QLD and WA, Bendix have a pre-authorised LG1 certificate, and all that’s required after fitment is to advise the registration authority of the installation.
For Kiwi buyers, the New Zealand registration authority (NZTA) recognises ADR master reports for vehicles that are to be used on New Zealand roads. The compliance process is similar to VIC, NSW, SA and Tas, so a vehicle that’s fitted with either front or rear (or both) Ultimate 4WD™ Big Brake Upgrade Kits will require a Low Volume Vehicle Certification (LVVC).
Product availability may vary slightly depending on the Ranger model. For further information search the vehicle by model, registration or VIN at bendix.com.au