The easy performance boost for Ford Ranger

Dual-cab utes have become the new muscle car.

Where Aussie performance car fans once exclusively preferred a V8-powered Holden Commodore or Ford Falcon, they have now traded-in tyre-frying sedans for tough trucks like the Ford Ranger, which has become Australia’s most popular new car.

While bush-bashing hay haulers deliver an altogether different experience in terms of performance, driving enthusiasts are never fully satisfied and like to tailor their vehicles to suit their requirements and personalities with accessories and upgrades.

Among the more common modifications are bullbars, big wheels and tyres, driving lights and camping and storage equipment in the rear tray. These all add a significant amount of weight to the vehicle, which can have an adverse effect on the vehicle’s driving dynamics, particularly when it comes to braking.

Four-wheel drive dual-cab utes like the Ford Ranger are built to perform across a wide range of environments, from the suburbs to the scrub, and now feature a huge array of advanced safety systems like autonomous emergency braking and specific off-road driving aids.

However, with a high centre of gravity, soft and supple suspension and, in most cases, dual-terrain tyres that are designed to perform across a broad spectrum of road conditions, four-wheel drives don’t have the same level of security and stopping power as conventional passenger vehicles.

Most are more than adequate for everyday use but, considering the wide gamut of applications they can be used for – from carrying heavy payloads, towing large caravans or trailers and heavy-duty off-roading in the harshest conditions – the performance and durability of standard braking packages can be compromised.

For off-road adventurers, stability under brakes on slippery surfaces and having a consistent pedal feel is vital when navigating rough terrain – even at slow speeds. And, when towing, it is critical to have a braking system that maintains maximum performance under extreme loads.

Which is all the reasoning you need to consider upgrading the braking package on a Ford Ranger as a key element of any modification program.

It is easy for owners of the Ford Ranger to improve the braking performance of their vehicle as Bendix has expanded its high-performance Ultimate 4WD range of brake upgrade kits to now include the most popular versions of the latest-generation PY Ranger.

Bendix is Australia’s leading manufacturer of specialised friction products, with almost 70 years of experience. It offers a wide range of high-quality components and complete brake upgrade kits to suit all types of vehicles, including the most popular dual-cab utes.

Its flagship Ultimate 4WD range now includes a comprehensive kit to improve the stopping power for the latest-generation Ford Ranger (model year 2022 onwards) including the popular XLT, Wildtrak, Sports, Platinum and flagship Ranger Raptor variants.

Available in separate kits for the front and rear brake assemblies, it includes new Sports and Performance disc brake rotors. These rotors have been designed specifically for four-wheel driving, with unique metallurgical properties that increase the strength of the rotors at elevated high temperatures while also providing high wear resistance for longlasting durability and consistent performance.

The rotors also feature highly efficient cooling pillars that channel air into the discs to expel hot air faster and further improve their resistance to thermal cracking under high loads, as well as specially designed slots and V-shaped dimples on the face that use Bendix’s unique Diamond Tip Slot technology. These provide additional assistance in dispersing hot gas, water and dirt from the disc rotor to ensure they maintain optimum friction against the brake pads.

Speaking of which, the Bendix Ultimate 4WD Brake Upgrade Kits also include a full set of Ultimate 4WD brake pads, which have been specifically designed and tested to meet Australia’s harshest off-road conditions with a unique compound of high-performance ceramic material that provide consistent performance in extreme environments while reducing brake squeal and brake dust.

The kits also include braided brake hoses that help to reduce brake fade under heavy loads while also delivering a steady pedal feel. The hydraulic lines are coated in a protective sleeve, which adds an additional layer of protection from being damaged by sharp objects like rocks and tree branches.

On top of the hardware, the Bendix Ultimate 4WD kit for front brakes has a litre of a heavy-duty brake fluid, a can of Bendix Cleanup, a tube of Ceramasil Lubricant and Bendix Rotor Wipes and comes in a tough 60-litre Bendix icebox that is ideal for camping trips and off-road getaways.

Since the Ford Ranger and second-generation Volkswagen Amarok were jointly developed together, the Bendix Ultimate 4WD kit is also applicable to all Amarok models from model year 2022 onwards.

For more information on Bendix Ultimate 4WD Brake Upgrade Kits, or to find your nearest Bendix retailer, visit the Bendix website.