Alcon said that they are working on a rear kit for our trucks. That is what I am waiting for too...Although since flipping my 21 for a FE not sure when I will shell out more money on the beast...BUT when I Do...Alcon F/R is what I am choosing!
Best Brake Upgrade?
- Thread starter JayRex410
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Brake upgrades that run almost 10% of the vehicles value.. Is just nuts to me.
And if you won't take the word of a guy... whose spent 3X the vehicles MSRP on stereo upgrades more than once... There is no way you're gonna listen to me!
And if you won't take the word of a guy... whose spent 3X the vehicles MSRP on stereo upgrades more than once... There is no way you're gonna listen to me!
Whats an FE?Alcon said that they are working on a rear kit for our trucks. That is what I am waiting for too...Although since flipping my 21 for a FE not sure when I will shell out more money on the beast...BUT when I Do...Alcon F/R is what I am choosing!
Yeah, dude, I did the cheapo Powerstop kit and I’m pretty happy with it still so if I need to do any more braking, I’ll just drop a gear and let the engine and do it for meBrake upgrades that run almost 10% of the vehicles value.. Is just nuts to me.
And if you won't take the word of a guy... whose spent 3X the vehicles MSRP on stereo upgrades more than once... There is no way you're gonna listen to me!
Final edition
Ahh ok yep that went right over my head. I"m not in that cool club. Im in the "ME" Middle edition haha
We have done several set ups like this, the reds are pretty close. Let us know and we can set you up
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Underrated comment forsure!! Coming down from Mammoth Mountain back in March the truck holds gears so damn good! Never any issues braking with loaded truck and 7klb trailer!!Yeah, dude, I did the cheapo Powerstop kit and I’m pretty happy with it still so if I need to do any more braking, I’ll just drop a gear and let the engine and do it for me
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Id be interested in seeing the 6 piston front 4 piston rear. I tow heavy loads a couple times a year over 1000 miles and my other cars. Need something that will actually stop me other than the trailer brakes.
It was nice speaking with you via email. Let us know if you have any questions.
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Brake upgrades that run almost 10% of the vehicles value.. Is just nuts to me.
And if you won't take the word of a guy... whose spent 3X the vehicles MSRP on stereo upgrades more than once... There is no way you're gonna listen to me!
When they first released the Rotora's were $5500 on promo, that is reasonable. $10k is unreasonable, and I've done BBK upgrades on at least 8 vehicles over the years for various purposes. Typically see 6-8k.
My $.02 says there are many different ways to improve stopping performance without installing a more robust caliper/rotor combo.
1. Reduce unsprung weight (lighter wheels and tires make a huge difference in braking performance)
2. Improve brake cooling (ducts or deflectors to push air into the rear of the rotor to keep components cool)
3. Better pad material (more aggressive 'bite' on the rotor)
Do one or more of these, and you will notice a massive improvement.
~ Mike
1. Reduce unsprung weight (lighter wheels and tires make a huge difference in braking performance)
2. Improve brake cooling (ducts or deflectors to push air into the rear of the rotor to keep components cool)
3. Better pad material (more aggressive 'bite' on the rotor)
Do one or more of these, and you will notice a massive improvement.
~ Mike
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Those are bandaid's on a gaping chest wound. The truck's brakes and payload are the only weak spots IMO.
The rotor on the truck is vastly underspeced. Too thin and the material doesn't support higher thermal loads, so using a more aggressive pad is likely to cause problems under severe load. Adding ducts or similar isn't likely to produce a notable difference given the design of the truck the trade off is likely not worth it as you'd likely be adding weight or losing clearance or both.
Upgrading my wheels did improve brake venting, but I've not done anything super duper wild. My biggest complaint about brake performance is when towing or being loaded up (or worse, both). I don't generally encounter a lot of traffic where I am, but if I was still on the west coast I would have upgraded the brakes after my first drive.
The rotor on the truck is vastly underspeced. Too thin and the material doesn't support higher thermal loads, so using a more aggressive pad is likely to cause problems under severe load. Adding ducts or similar isn't likely to produce a notable difference given the design of the truck the trade off is likely not worth it as you'd likely be adding weight or losing clearance or both.
Upgrading my wheels did improve brake venting, but I've not done anything super duper wild. My biggest complaint about brake performance is when towing or being loaded up (or worse, both). I don't generally encounter a lot of traffic where I am, but if I was still on the west coast I would have upgraded the brakes after my first drive.
Three things I would note:
1) Make sure the brake kit increases thermal capacity. I saw one brake kit that the rotor face is very thin. It did increase the central vein size but that doesn’t much help if the face thickness is severely reduced. (Seen this on one of the brake kits)
2) make sure the pad size doesn’t shrink. Less swept area is not a good thing (seen this on one of the brake kits)
3) piston area needs to stay close to stock. Piston count is irrelevant. I’d rather have a 4 piston caliper that is close to stock on surface area than a 6 or 8 pot that is generic and not even close.
(I really really wish Alcon would make that kit with an aluminum caliper and a rear kit. )
1) Make sure the brake kit increases thermal capacity. I saw one brake kit that the rotor face is very thin. It did increase the central vein size but that doesn’t much help if the face thickness is severely reduced. (Seen this on one of the brake kits)
2) make sure the pad size doesn’t shrink. Less swept area is not a good thing (seen this on one of the brake kits)
3) piston area needs to stay close to stock. Piston count is irrelevant. I’d rather have a 4 piston caliper that is close to stock on surface area than a 6 or 8 pot that is generic and not even close.
(I really really wish Alcon would make that kit with an aluminum caliper and a rear kit. )
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If one were to forego running 18s and move up to 20s. At that point is it a no-brainer to go with the Wilwood TX6R? I don't see an equivalent for the rears which is disappointing but perhaps it's just a matter of finding the right parts.
I am leaning more and more towards 20s anyway so I can find tires that have a better speed rating so this could perhaps convince me.
I am leaning more and more towards 20s anyway so I can find tires that have a better speed rating so this could perhaps convince me.
Which off-road tires have better speed rating than OEM in 12.5 width?
I didn't word that well. I should have said. Moving to a 20" gives you more brand options than just the OEM brand.
This is what I had my eye on.
TerrainContact A/T
A premium all-season all-terrain tire designed for all vehicles. Conquer all conditions in this tire with improved traction, durability, better grip, and quiet roads.
continentaltire.com
Gotcha. Yea I have been torn on going 20s or not but our OEM tires seem to have the best speed rating, best weight and best price/mileage. Def better options out there if your truck is spending a lot of time off-road but for a mostly pavement setup they seem hard to beat.I didn't word that well. I should have said. Moving to a 20" gives you more brand options than just the OEM brand.
This is what I had my eye on.
TerrainContact A/T
A premium all-season all-terrain tire designed for all vehicles. Conquer all conditions in this tire with improved traction, durability, better grip, and quiet roads.
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