I tow 10-15K; 6-10x per month with this truck. I can feel the braking ability starting to drop off so I want to get them done pretty quick. I am more or less happy with OEM performance but if there is a better value, and with my SO starting to haul the horse trailer around.. I wouldn't mind upgrading.

What is worth the money? I'm fresh out of school trying to figure out what the best value is.

Calipers?
Rotors?
Pads?
Brake Lines?

What would provide me with a noticeable improvement without breaking the bank?

Last question, could worn rotors cause vibration/shaking in the steering (primarily when turning ramps) at 50-60mph? Tires are brand new, problem showed up before they were replaced.

 

you did not say what engine, 5.4, 6.4, 6.8

if you have a 6.4, BD diesel makes a box that turns your turbo into an exhaust brake....which is what I would do if I needed stopping power above stock.

check it out on youtube

 

If it were me and I had the money, I'd do all of it


Calipers? something like SSBC 6 Piston Calipers
Rotors? AP racing 16" rotors
Pads? Ceramic pads, unless you ride the brakes then Kevlar
Brake Lines? Stainless Steel

These would be my preferences, I'm sure others have their own ideas too.

 

It's the 6.4L
I just saw another thread mentioning the exhaust brake. does the below look right?

BD-Power 2001100 Variable Vane Exhaust Brake

Mike, How hard is it to replace brake lines? Those 6 piston calipers look a little more expensive than what I'm trying to do this round.

 

I don't suppose it would be any different than changing a regular hard line, a little wiggling around, a little cussing and some frustration trying to sneak it between the frame and tank. It's all time and patients...LOL

As for Exhaust braking (Engine braking or using a Jake brake) there are a lot of places, states, cities, etc, that outlaw it, like in the smokey's, there's signs posted all up and down the roads, NO JAKE BRAKING, it's loud obnoxious and it will get you ticketed for using it. I personally never seen one on a pickup truck only on tractor-trailers. As a matter of fact, I live right on a busy highway and the cops got a gravel truck the other day for using his brake in a residential area, sometimes they can literally shake the windows in a house when they're used.

 

I don't think the BD exhaust brake is a true jake brake if I understand it correctly.

Thank you for your help!

 

thats the one

 

I had a PacBrake on my '02 F250.....worked like a charm, gave me a ton of xtra braking going downhill and you could barely hear it. The cops would never know you had the thing on. Not cheap but well worth the money if you tow a lot in the hills.