Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 05-03-2014, 11:26 AM   #1
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 47
LARGER BRAKES FOR 17 WHEELS

I've read through some old threads on this forum but haven't really found the answers I'm looking for yet.

I've got 17" American Racing Mojave wheels and dana 60s and I'm looking to DECREASE my stopping distance. I don't experience brake fade and I am very conscious about not heating my brakes to that point.

So in my case, I'm really looking for better braking power with 35" wheels, 10,000+ pound van and a trailer.

I've gotten the following advice thus far:
Slotted is OK, but drilling is not a good idea and that the best option is the larger brakes from the f450 with bigger rotors and calipers. I'm not familiar with all the options.

Could someone break down the parts (and approx cost of this job) and let me know if they will fit inside the 17" Mojaves or if I also need to get new wheels? As always, thanks a million you guys.

khalilsc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-03-2014, 11:52 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
BajaSportsmobile's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Rancho Nuevo (Cabo/Todos Santos) B.C.S. and San Diego, CA
Posts: 1,952
Re: LARGER BRAKES FOR 17 WHEELS

One thing that I have thought about is upgrading to the larger rear brakes on the rear axle of a late model van that still fit in a 16 inch wheel.
__________________
Four time Baja 1000 winner, four time Baja 500 winner. Solo'ed the Baja 1000 to LaPaz/Cabo twice.
4-Wheeling since 1972, Desert Racing since 1989.

AgileOffRoad.com
BajaSportsmobile is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-03-2014, 11:55 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
carringb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Corvallis, OR
Posts: 5,300
Re: LARGER BRAKES FOR 17 WHEELS

If you don't have heat problems, your best bang for the buck may be upgrading to hydroboost.

As for outboard brake compponents - might help if we had more info about your van. I.e. who's 4x4? year? which dana 60? bolt pattern?
__________________
2000 E450 dually V10 wagon
carringb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-03-2014, 12:02 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
carringb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Corvallis, OR
Posts: 5,300
Re: LARGER BRAKES FOR 17 WHEELS

Quote:
Originally Posted by BajaSportsmobile
One thing that I have thought about is upgrading to the larger rear brakes on the rear axle of a late model van that still fit in a 16 inch wheel.
I thought about this too. The caliper pistons are actually smaller. The larger rotors no doubt shed heat better the the larger calipers are stiffer for better feel. But I don't know that absolute stopping force is necessarily much better. OTOH E450 rear brakes get both the larger rotors (the same ones) but also larger caliper pistons, and still fit 16" wheels. At least steelies. I doubt aluminum 16" would fit the E450 calipers.
__________________
2000 E450 dually V10 wagon
carringb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-03-2014, 12:52 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Zeta's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Preston, ID
Posts: 1,213
Send a message via Yahoo to Zeta
Re: LARGER BRAKES FOR 17 WHEELS

These look freaking awesome to me: Page 95

viewtopic.php?t=3583#p128156


Z
__________________
'06 RB50 SMB Diesel

https://www.tomsinclair.net
Zeta is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-03-2014, 03:53 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
BajaSportsmobile's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Rancho Nuevo (Cabo/Todos Santos) B.C.S. and San Diego, CA
Posts: 1,952
Re: LARGER BRAKES FOR 17 WHEELS

Quote:
Originally Posted by carringb
Quote:
Originally Posted by BajaSportsmobile
One thing that I have thought about is upgrading to the larger rear brakes on the rear axle of a late model van that still fit in a 16 inch wheel.
I thought about this too. The caliper pistons are actually smaller. The larger rotors no doubt shed heat better the the larger calipers are stiffer for better feel. But I don't know that absolute stopping force is necessarily much better. OTOH E450 rear brakes get both the larger rotors (the same ones) but also larger caliper pistons, and still fit 16" wheels. At least steelies. I doubt aluminum 16" would fit the E450 calipers.
The 2013 E250 we are working with right now has bigger rotors and calipers and fit a 16" wheel.

The real advantage is that the larger diameter of the rotor produces more brake torque. Another way to look at is that for every revolution of the axle/wheel/tire and rotor, the larger diameter rotor with a greater circumference has more surface contact with the pad per revolution. Same concept and using a longer lever...

When we upgrade race trucks from 12.2" to 14" rotors without changing anything else; the brakes are significantly better.
__________________
Four time Baja 1000 winner, four time Baja 500 winner. Solo'ed the Baja 1000 to LaPaz/Cabo twice.
4-Wheeling since 1972, Desert Racing since 1989.

AgileOffRoad.com
BajaSportsmobile is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-03-2014, 04:15 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
carringb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Corvallis, OR
Posts: 5,300
Re: LARGER BRAKES FOR 17 WHEELS

Quote:
Originally Posted by BajaSportsmobile
The real advantage is that the larger diameter of the rotor produces more brake torque. Another way to look at is that for every revolution of the axle/wheel/tire and rotor, the larger diameter rotor with a greater circumference has more surface contact with the pad per revolution. Same concept and using a longer lever...

When we upgrade race trucks from 12.2" to 14" rotors without changing anything else; the brakes are significantly better.
I understand all that. But you would not be increasing rotor size without changing everything else. You would be decreasing your piston size from 2.20" to 1.89". You cannot fit the old calipers to the new rotors because the backing plates and brackets are completely different, and they wouldn't fit anyways if they were mounted out much further.

My whole point is.... If you are going to go through the trouble of disassembling an axle to fit new backing plates, why wouldn't you use E450 calipers, which have 2.12" pistons? This way you aren't making as much reduction in clamping force when you go to larger rotors. BTW - the larger rotors only result in 2" additional swept area (270"^2 vs 272"^2) and the total pad contact area decreases.
__________________
2000 E450 dually V10 wagon
carringb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-03-2014, 04:23 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
BajaSportsmobile's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Rancho Nuevo (Cabo/Todos Santos) B.C.S. and San Diego, CA
Posts: 1,952
Re: LARGER BRAKES FOR 17 WHEELS

I would just swap axles.
__________________
Four time Baja 1000 winner, four time Baja 500 winner. Solo'ed the Baja 1000 to LaPaz/Cabo twice.
4-Wheeling since 1972, Desert Racing since 1989.

AgileOffRoad.com
BajaSportsmobile is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-04-2014, 12:08 AM   #9
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 47
Re: LARGER BRAKES FOR 17 WHEELS

Good ideas and suggestions guys, thank you!

I have a salem kroger 4x4 its a 2004 EB 6.0L. My rear is a dana 60, my front is a dana super 60, my lug pattern is 8 on 170mm.

Got in touch with Chris at UJOR and he said that the f550 brakes fit under a 19.5" wheel or larger only, unless you get his custom built axle (RSC kit) which is not an option for me.

My intuition tells me that by going with 20" wheels - you negate (at least partially) the positive effects of having larger brakes. Plus, a low pro tire + expensive wheel-set does not sound reasonable at all.

More info on the hydroboost please! Also, high performance/reliable discs and calipers anyone have experience with?

!!!
khalilsc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-07-2014, 08:11 AM   #10
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 19
Re: LARGER BRAKES FOR 17 WHEELS

I just replaced Vacuum booster with a Hydroboost unit on an older 1990 E350 4x4 van ...and I must say my brakes feel completely different much better than they ever have....

Not a big deal to switch them out...minor hole redrilling and fitting on firewall...definitely worth it!!
E350MAN is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

» Sportsmobile Registry

EB Van

ebflow

Big Backpack

RMAC
Add your Sportsmobile
» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sportsmobile SIP or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:34 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.