Brake upgrade
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Joined: Aug 2004
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Brake upgrade
Hi every one,
My question is, has anybody upgraded their brake system to something better than stock. If so, to what, and how do you like it?
I have a ’03 F250 SD CC FX4 V10 SRW SB Auto with a 4” lift and 315/75 on 16x10 rims. Even when my truck was stock the brakes just didn’t seem to hold the truck as well as my previous truck (’01 F150 SC 4X4 with a 3” lift and 285/75 on 16x8 rims.) Even my wife’s ’03 extera 4x4 with stock 265/75 has better brake control. I know there is a big difference in vehicles but shouldn’t a big truck like the Super Duty have superior brakes? As a matter of fact my F150 had better braking performance than the extera.
At work we have a new fleet of ’04 F350 RC dully ambulances with PSD. The ambulance box weighs around 3-4 thousand lbs and those trucks stop on a dime compared to mine. But I know the dully comes with larger brakes.
Well my truck is coming up on 30,000 miles and it needs brakes. I don’t brake or drive the truck hard. All my stops are gradual not last minute. I do tow a boat (3000lbs with trailer, fuel & gear) every other weekend 100 miles to the lake all hwy. The trailer dose not have brakes and I do feel the weight of the boat when I stop. That’s why I need brakes so early. (The trailer will have brakes installed by the end of the year) But my concern is my truck as a daily driver to and from work city/ hwy combined. Even when the truck was bone stock the brakes performed very poorly. Even more poorly with the bigger tires. The brake pedal has a nice firm feel. The master cylinder has fluid and the system has been checked for air along with the entire braking system by the dealer and several independent shops and all checks out ok. (I think these trucks come with very cheap brakes) It just seems like it takes a long time for the truck to come to a complete stop.
I want to upgrade the brake system to something a lot better, but I don’t know to what. I was looking at Cross Drilled Rotors by Stillen.com but would like some feedback. Is this a good product or is there something better out there? Has any one had any expiriance with these? I know I’m not alone on this despite what the dealer says. Please any help would be great.
My question is, has anybody upgraded their brake system to something better than stock. If so, to what, and how do you like it?
I have a ’03 F250 SD CC FX4 V10 SRW SB Auto with a 4” lift and 315/75 on 16x10 rims. Even when my truck was stock the brakes just didn’t seem to hold the truck as well as my previous truck (’01 F150 SC 4X4 with a 3” lift and 285/75 on 16x8 rims.) Even my wife’s ’03 extera 4x4 with stock 265/75 has better brake control. I know there is a big difference in vehicles but shouldn’t a big truck like the Super Duty have superior brakes? As a matter of fact my F150 had better braking performance than the extera.
At work we have a new fleet of ’04 F350 RC dully ambulances with PSD. The ambulance box weighs around 3-4 thousand lbs and those trucks stop on a dime compared to mine. But I know the dully comes with larger brakes.
Well my truck is coming up on 30,000 miles and it needs brakes. I don’t brake or drive the truck hard. All my stops are gradual not last minute. I do tow a boat (3000lbs with trailer, fuel & gear) every other weekend 100 miles to the lake all hwy. The trailer dose not have brakes and I do feel the weight of the boat when I stop. That’s why I need brakes so early. (The trailer will have brakes installed by the end of the year) But my concern is my truck as a daily driver to and from work city/ hwy combined. Even when the truck was bone stock the brakes performed very poorly. Even more poorly with the bigger tires. The brake pedal has a nice firm feel. The master cylinder has fluid and the system has been checked for air along with the entire braking system by the dealer and several independent shops and all checks out ok. (I think these trucks come with very cheap brakes) It just seems like it takes a long time for the truck to come to a complete stop.
I want to upgrade the brake system to something a lot better, but I don’t know to what. I was looking at Cross Drilled Rotors by Stillen.com but would like some feedback. Is this a good product or is there something better out there? Has any one had any expiriance with these? I know I’m not alone on this despite what the dealer says. Please any help would be great.
Last edited by davisson; Sep 14, 2004 at 01:02 AM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,438
Likes: 11
From: IN FRONT OF YOU
Look into A.R.T. rotors and pads, those who have them love them.
http://appliedrotortechnology.com
http://appliedrotortechnology.com
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,094
Likes: 379
From: Southern California
Carbotech engineering has excellent performance brakes designed for street use (non-track-so to speak). run about $100 a set, also recommend Brembo OEM replacement rotors nitrogen treated available from diversified cryogenics. Both have web sites. Looking at about 15-20% increased braking efficiency, less dust, faster heat dissipation. I run them on 4 vehicles, 65 shelby, 1990 F150, 97 cougar V8 sport & previous vehicles. Estimate wear at about 100K miles...50/50 city hwy application in LA traffic
More Turbo
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 508
Likes: 0
From: Forest Grove, OR
I was looking for superduty performance brakes last week and ran across this - http://www.wheelersoffroad.com/fordbrakes.htm
They carry brakes for 2 and 4 wheel drive trucks, and Excursions. Hope this helps you out.
They carry brakes for 2 and 4 wheel drive trucks, and Excursions. Hope this helps you out.
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
DRW and SRW same brakes ??
At least before 05 I thought the Super Duty DRW and SRW all had the same brakes. Does anyone know for sure?
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 755
Likes: 0
From: Meriden Ct
I have sloted rotors on my F350 ( pictures in gallery ) and I am very happy with the way they stop. I replaced the rotors at the first brake job, 50K, and now have 68K on the truck. On the next truck i will not wait till the first brake job, I will do them right away.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 270
Likes: 0
From: MADISON,IN
I COPIED & PASTED THIS FROM OTHER POSTS IN THE PAST.
HOPE THIS HELPS.
HERE IS THE LINK FOR THE ART ROTORS.
http://www.appliedrotortechnology.com/.
I PUT ART ROTORS & PERFORMANCE PADS ON THE FRONT OF MY TRUCK,MAN WHAT A DIFFERENCE.
THEY ARE SMOOTH,QUIET & NO MORE BRAKE DUST USING THEIR PADS.
IF YOU PAY $ 300.00 FOR NEW ROTORS & PADS AT THE LOCAL PARTS HOUSE,& THEY STILL ARE JUNK.
YOU MIGHT AS WELL SPRING FOR $ 50.00 MORE & CALL DEAN @ ART & GET THE ART ROTORS.
FRONT ROTORS & PAD KIT IS $ 300.00.
REAR ROTORS & PAD KIT IS $ 300.00.
BUY BOTH KITS TOGETHER & THEY ARE $ 500.00.
LEADTIME IS 5 WEEKS ON THESE ROTORS,
THE REASON,HE IS BACKED LOGGED WITH ALL OF THE SUPER DUTY OWNERS BUYING THESE KITS SO THAT THEY CAN SLEEP @ NIGHT.
HOPE THIS HELPS.
HERE IS THE LINK FOR THE ART ROTORS.
http://www.appliedrotortechnology.com/.
I PUT ART ROTORS & PERFORMANCE PADS ON THE FRONT OF MY TRUCK,MAN WHAT A DIFFERENCE.
THEY ARE SMOOTH,QUIET & NO MORE BRAKE DUST USING THEIR PADS.
IF YOU PAY $ 300.00 FOR NEW ROTORS & PADS AT THE LOCAL PARTS HOUSE,& THEY STILL ARE JUNK.
YOU MIGHT AS WELL SPRING FOR $ 50.00 MORE & CALL DEAN @ ART & GET THE ART ROTORS.
FRONT ROTORS & PAD KIT IS $ 300.00.
REAR ROTORS & PAD KIT IS $ 300.00.
BUY BOTH KITS TOGETHER & THEY ARE $ 500.00.
LEADTIME IS 5 WEEKS ON THESE ROTORS,
THE REASON,HE IS BACKED LOGGED WITH ALL OF THE SUPER DUTY OWNERS BUYING THESE KITS SO THAT THEY CAN SLEEP @ NIGHT.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte
Finally Carolina Clutch now has available Performance Friction rotors and pads for 4/98-- 2wd & 4wd EX's, 250's and 350's. Performance Friction rotors will cure the warping of frt rotors. Give me a call if you have any questions.
http://www.carolinaclutch.com/brakes.htm
http://www.carolinaclutch.com/brakes.htm
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