Brake Upgrades 2016 3500

[nomapride]

Has anyone done any brake upgrades to the 2016 3500 model pickups, I have seen some of the people have changed to slotted rotors and different pads? Any noticeable improvements?

 

[Cummins12V98]

Put your TH and EB on all the time and your braking will be MUCH better!

 

[gsbrockman]

Has anyone done any brake upgrades to the 2016 3500 model pickups, I have seen some of the people have changed to slotted rotors and different pads? Any noticeable improvements?

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With 156,759 miles on my OEM linings & rotors.......I see no potential improvement with going aftermarket.

 

[Deleted member 995608]

Post #2 said it first. Start truck, engage T/H & E/B switches, and enjoy the ride.

 

[kthaxton]

I find the brakes plenty adequate, they just aren't touchy like some expect.

 

[6speed]

250k on OEM. EB does wonders.

 

[American Adventurist]

Post #2 said it first. Start truck, engage T/H & E/B switches, and enjoy the ride.

This. I've never had a vehicle of any type with better braking than my 2016 Ram. It's impressive.

 

[twon]

Put your TH and EB on all the time and your braking will be MUCH better!

Post #2 said it first. Start truck, engage T/H & E/B switches, and enjoy the ride.

250k on OEM. EB does wonders.

This...

I see this suggestion often. For those of you that practice this, are you turning this on even in in-climate weather such as rain, snow or ice?

 

[Deleted member 995608]

I see this suggestion often. For those of you that practice this, are you turning this on even in in-climate weather such as rain, snow or ice?

Not recommended on slippery or icy conditions.

 

[twon]

I understand it's not recommended, I just see so many people say "always" that it makes me wonder if they are doing it anyways.

 

[kthaxton]

I certainly see no need to "always" use T/H. When towing, sure, always, otherwise I don't have a good reason personally. I do use my ebrake almost all the time however.

 

[Bruce Beard]

I like using tow/haul and exhaust brake in high speed traffic.
I know it is slightly problematic for the person behind me but I find that it makes 60 mph bumper to bumper driving a lot more relaxing in an 8000 pound vehicle. I will also say that the brakes on my 2500 are as nicely modulated as any truck brakes I've ever driven!
My previous 2010 F-150 had no brakes at all by comparison.
These are easy to modulate and if something happens ahead and you move quickly to the brake pedal it is easy to find the edge...
They are about perfect!
Bruce

 

[spoon059]

I certainly see no need to "always" use T/H. When towing, sure, always, otherwise I don't have a good reason personally. I do use my ebrake almost all the time however.

Per the manual, you are to drive in a manner that prevents the engine from lugging. When driving empty (60% of the time), the trans will quickly shift into 6th gear even at lower speeds and lug the engine. Engaging tow/haul mode prevents the transmission from dropping into 6th gear at lower speeds, prevents lugging and provides for a better driving experience in my opinion.

Furthermore, having tow/haul engaged allows for more aggressive exhaust braking.

Those are two very good reasons to use that feature.

 

[Newsa]

Not recommended on slippery or icy conditions.

Even having it in 4x4, AT tires and with limited slip differential? I realize that the AAM limited slip has issues on ice, but thought 4x4 would resolve this.

 

[twon]

Not recommended on slippery or icy conditions.

Even having it in 4x4, AT tires and with limited slip differential? I realize that the AAM limited slip has issues on ice, but thought 4x4 would resolve this.

He is quoting directly from the supplemental diesel manual. It does not give any exception or address 4wd or limited slip. It shouldn't make a difference.

 

[Bug Out]

Unless you find it fun going sideways at 60mph on a freeway, I will suggest from experience , leave the EB off when your in weather which prevents 100% traction...I was going w/b on I-40 in New Mexico in what was light rain, temps dipped to the low 30's and traffic started slowing. I forgot I had the EB on because I was using cruise control.(another bad idea in less then lovely weather) Turned off CC, back end started to fish tail as soon as the EB kicked in, causing a "pucker factor" I had not experienced since my early days as a young COP in vehicle pursuits over 100 MPH... Luckily I managed to keep her straight and off the EB went...

 

[Freebore]

I can only speak for my own experience with aftermarket pads when I needed to replace worn OEMs at 128k. I ran Hawk Superduty pads on an old GMC Yukon 4x4 in the past and found they made a noticeable improvement over the OEM pads - less pedal effort needed to bring the vehicle to a stop, and the GM had poor braking to start with. I stayed with OEM rotors on my Ram and with the Superduty pads there is a difference. I tow a trailer and found it improved stopping, but the most noticeable was running empty and coming to a stop light with a short yellow light - one of those situations you might be okay with going through but I hit the brakes and actually activated the ABS system on dry pavement. That is something I never did with the OEM pads. It wasn't planned and hasn't happened since as I've gotten used to driving with them now. The bedding to the rotors went just fine and while there were a few squeaks to start with, they are doing fine. As with any install, the installation has to be clean and the anti-noise gel needs to be put on the back of the pads to do it right. I ran slotteds on the GM, but found the OEM plains work just as well. I was considering EBC slots as well which are very well made rotors.

 

[Brocky]

I run the EB on manual ALL the time. Only use TH when empty in heavy stop and go traffic. On slippery going with the EB on you MUST be very aware of a possible rear wheel lock up and feather your throttle accordingly. You can get the rear wheels turning faster again (with EB) with a light touch of fuel than you can by releasing the brake peddle (non EB) and hoping the tire traction will start them turning. BUT here again I have over a million miles of operating a Jake on big trucks where you have to judge your load against the conditions, all of which vary continuously.