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Old 05-02-2014, 09:45 PM   #1
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1999 E250 Brake upgrade

I have a 1999 E250 2WD SMB. I live in Washington and do a lot driving in the mountains. My SMB brakes heat up all the time coming off the mountain. Often they start to pull and I have to stop and let them cool. I want to do some kind of upgrade.

Anybody done this? Place to start. Website for parts. Suggestions?

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Old 05-02-2014, 10:30 PM   #2
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Re: 1999 E250 Brake upgrade

Frozen rotors, cryo slotted with hawk pads....
http://www.frozenrotors.com
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Old 05-02-2014, 11:25 PM   #3
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Re: 1999 E250 Brake upgrade

Best upgrade is a 2008+ front axle. Even better than frozen rotors with hawk pads (I know, I tried this too). Plus the axle upgrade gives you new bigger ball joints and a better radius arm design.

You can pick up new take-offs from QuadVan, or they can install it all for you.

Also, '99 was the transition year to disc brakes. Do you have rear discs? If not, your drums may need adjusting.
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Old 05-03-2014, 04:44 AM   #4
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Re: 1999 E250 Brake upgrade

I did this, more info here: http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/vie...p?f=39&t=12224

Obtaining the take off pieces complete is indeed perhaps the best way, in my case that wasn't an option due the travel distance and (lack of) cost savings it would have netted me. As is, I spent about $600 for just the brake parts, also replaced existing '03 ball joints and all other front suspension component too, additional parts and labor. (Moog is my only choice for these parts, Amazon is best price plus free shipping.

Having already installed Hellwig front and rear sway bars I also installed urethane axle pivot and radius arm bushings too.

I highly recommend this to anyone with an E250 chassis older than the '08 model year.
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Old 05-03-2014, 12:08 PM   #5
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Re: 1999 E250 Brake upgrade

what Carringb said, if you have someone in your town doing 4wd conversions you can get the brand new parts from them at a fraction of the cost of buying each part. I think mine was somewhere near 400 for everything from quadvan. You will have to buy the newer swaybar and end links though.
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Old 05-04-2014, 06:23 AM   #6
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Re: 1999 E250 Brake upgrade

Yup. I got my full front brakes and suspension for $325 from Quigley. Added a new swaybar and end links, new Bilsteins all around, and a junkyard rear swaybar from an E450 ($35). HUGE improvement in braking and handling. Makes my 98 EB feel right around corners and on the highway.
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Old 05-04-2014, 07:53 AM   #7
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Re: 1999 E250 Brake upgrade

What would someone do if not close by a Quigley or Quanvan outfitter?

I'm not aware of that many shops who'd have new van front suspensions laying around waiting for a buyer.

Believe me though had the option to buy complete for the great prices been available to me I'd have jumped all over that deal. Sadly it wasn't to be though.
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Old 05-06-2014, 08:48 PM   #8
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Re: 1999 E250 Brake upgrade

Thanks for all the advice. The Quadvan idea is a great one. I go down to Portland all the time to visit grandkids. I have sent them off an email, maybe they might have something.

So, how does one know what fits what. Is there some kind of book or do people just know from doing it. For instance E450 rotors and calipers on an 1999 E250?
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Old 05-06-2014, 09:06 PM   #9
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Re: 1999 E250 Brake upgrade

Quote:
Originally Posted by pfeathers
Thanks for all the advice. The Quadvan idea is a great one. I go down to Portland all the time to visit grandkids. I have sent them off an email, maybe they might have something.

So, how does one know what fits what. Is there some kind of book or do people just know from doing it. For instance E450 rotors and calipers on an 1999 E250?
It may be easiest to just stop by. They have bins full of them.
E450 rotors will not fit simply due to the dually offset hubs. But starting in 2008 the E150-450's all got the same spec front rotors. Only difference is the hub offset. The newer front ends will fit all the way back to '92.
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