If this has been covered, I apologize. A cursory search of the site didn't turn up anything obvious.
Now that I have bigger tires, lift, armor, bumpers winch, rack, RTT etc., it's time to address the brakes on my Wrangler. In my opinion, they are mediocre with the vehicle in the stock configuration, and with the added weight when loaded for adventure, I'd like a bit more reliable stopping power. I have done some research, and like any upgrade for most any vehicle, there are a dizzying array of choices and opinions to go with them.
I'm hoping to get some feed back from folks with actual experience, with their rigs (of any type), and various braking upgrades they have performed. My initial inclination is to start by just upgrading the stock spec pads with EBC YellowStuff. Their claim, and supporting testing (theirs and independent) would seem to indicate a 25% + increase in breaking power/efficiency, as well as better hight temp performance.
Where the stock setup falls short is in two areas IMHO. First, high temperature fade like in long hill descents, pulling a trailer. Situations where you are on your brakes a lot. Honestly, I'm most concerned about high temp, extended use fade. Even loaded down I can easily create enough braking force to activate the ABS on dry pavement with the stock setup, so their ability to stop wheel rotation is not in question, even in high traction situations. Second is that the BLD system noticeably reduces rear brake pad life. This is the first vehicle I have ever had that eats rear brake pads faster than front.
So, I guess my question is, can someone with real world experience give me a reason to consider upgrading rotors, calipers, pads, and possibly master cylinder before just trying really good pads on the stock setup?
Thanks!
Now that I have bigger tires, lift, armor, bumpers winch, rack, RTT etc., it's time to address the brakes on my Wrangler. In my opinion, they are mediocre with the vehicle in the stock configuration, and with the added weight when loaded for adventure, I'd like a bit more reliable stopping power. I have done some research, and like any upgrade for most any vehicle, there are a dizzying array of choices and opinions to go with them.
I'm hoping to get some feed back from folks with actual experience, with their rigs (of any type), and various braking upgrades they have performed. My initial inclination is to start by just upgrading the stock spec pads with EBC YellowStuff. Their claim, and supporting testing (theirs and independent) would seem to indicate a 25% + increase in breaking power/efficiency, as well as better hight temp performance.
Where the stock setup falls short is in two areas IMHO. First, high temperature fade like in long hill descents, pulling a trailer. Situations where you are on your brakes a lot. Honestly, I'm most concerned about high temp, extended use fade. Even loaded down I can easily create enough braking force to activate the ABS on dry pavement with the stock setup, so their ability to stop wheel rotation is not in question, even in high traction situations. Second is that the BLD system noticeably reduces rear brake pad life. This is the first vehicle I have ever had that eats rear brake pads faster than front.
So, I guess my question is, can someone with real world experience give me a reason to consider upgrading rotors, calipers, pads, and possibly master cylinder before just trying really good pads on the stock setup?
Thanks!
