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andrew grant
Dodge Dakota
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4/04/2008
02:12:34
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 Subject: brake upgrade?
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Message:
i was pulling a load of slab wood today and though it accelerated and handled way better than i could have hoped for, the brakes wouldnt work very well at all. I was just wondering if there is anything that can be done to these trucks to get them to grab a little better. My 93 dakota was always fine, but the trailer of wood really pushed this one (99 3.9 liter 4x4 5 speed)
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Kowalski
GenIII
4/04/2008
13:56:35
| RE: brake upgrade?
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Message:
How heavy a load are we talking about ? Do you think it's a big enough load that you should be running trailer brakes ? A heavy trailer should be able to take care of it's own braking.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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andrew grant
Dodge Dakota
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4/04/2008
21:06:08
| RE: brake upgrade?
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Message:
4000 lb or so
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Mike98
Dodge Dakota
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4/04/2008
23:16:29
| RE: brake upgrade?
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Message:
Yeah the stock brakes in my '98 seemed way to weak.
I remember watching in horror once when my (foolish) 30-foot following gap shrunk to maybe 2 feet when the car in front of me slammed on his brakes on the freeway. I was mashing the pedal so hard my ass lifted out of the seat, but it didn't even lock the wheels.
I since upgraded to the SSBC "short stop" kit on the front rotors, bled everything, and I periodically hand-adjust the back brakes. The brakes have improved a lot, but I'd call it "adequate," not "amazing." One benefit of the SSBC rotors is they haven't warped yet with 10k miles on them, which seems better than the OE rotors.
If you can afford it, there are also big brake kits and rear disc conversion kits available. Check out SSBC's web site, there may be other brands too. But I think the best solution is just to get some trailer brakes.
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ben
Dodge Dakota
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4/04/2008
23:28:29
| RE: brake upgrade?
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Message:
i actually just got my truck back from the shop today after getting some brake work. i too experienced horrible braking in my 2000 like last week when a deer jumped out in front of me, smashed down on the pedal and there wasnt even a hint of the brakes locking, and i wasnt thrown against the seatbelt in anyway. i they mechanic was suprised that the brakes on my truck even could stop it. guess i should have had them checked sooner. he said that i was only a few stops away from complete failure. but after entire new brakes all around its doing better. i havent had to use them w/ much force yet so we will see. seem to be stoppin better tho
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Kowalski
GenIII
4/05/2008
07:29:40
| RE: brake upgrade?
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Message:
A trailer load that heavy should definitely have it's own braking. You should never rely on just the truck's brakes to stop a 2 ton load. If the trailer has electric brakes, you'll need to add a brake control with the proper wiring. If it has surge brakes, they aren't working properly. If it has no brakes, you should park it - and not carry loads that heavy until braking axles have been added.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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J and J Auto
GenII
4/06/2008
23:40:45
| RE: brake upgrade?
IP: Logged
Message:
A electric trailer brake system is also very
easy to install if you plan on pulling a heavy
trailer all the time get the system it may save
your life someday
Larry
J&J Auto
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