Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) 1997 Hub and Rotor Upgrade

[TCDiesel]

I have a customer that is looking to upgrade his front brakes on his 1997 4X4 2500. Dose anyone make a slotted rotor Hub application, also the calipers need to be replaced, so looking to upgrade those also, I have look all over and cannot find anyone that make them, Thanks in advance T&C Diesel.

 

[hsmith]

Check out egrbrakes.com.

 

[Dave M]

If I understand you right you are looking for a slotted rotor for a 97 that has the unitized hub. I just replaced my front rotors with Napa driolled/slotted rotors for about $136 apiece. I am very satisfied. I was considering Power Stop or Power Slot available from Summit Racing - High Performance Car and Truck Parts | 800-230-3030 but they had more holes where Napa have must less and the Napa rotors were USA made. I have PN's if your interested.

 

[TCDiesel]

I did not know Napa had drill and slotted for the 97 , Yeah I will take you up on those #s.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I read to never put drilled rotors on a HD truck especially if it'll be used for towing, so I went with the Power Slot rotors and like them on my '96. Definitely worth spending extra for.

I thought Dodge didn't go to the unitized hub/rotor design until 2000 on 4x4s. The older 2wd trucks use unitized hub/rotor units but on my '96 4x4 they were just rotors without hubs.

 

[TCDiesel]

I have had drill & slotted on every Vehicle I own for close 2 years, I think its just a case of preference and application.

 

[GrantP]

IMHO, the biggest bang for the buck is to upgrade the back brakes rather than throwing money at expensive rotor/caliper combos. Adding a larger wheel cylinder to the drum setup makes a huge difference for about 20 bucks (the back brakes actually do something afterwards). Plenty of info on the site about this upgrade... .

 

[DieselNasty]

Where do I find the wheel cylinder upgrade info? I always wanted to just put disks in the back, but the egr kit is all I found.

 

[Dave M]

I did not know Napa had drill and slotted for the 97 , Yeah I will take you up on those #s.

The NAPA drilled/slotted rotors were directional (Left/right) and I mixed them up and had to remove both again. . be carefull. The NAPA rotors were PN for Right PR86324R and PN for Left PR86324L my cost (with discount) were $134 apiece. These rotors had much less slots and holes than the Power Slot so I feel they are strong enough and won't warp.



I like them very much. They don't show any wear yet but my old rotors were warped and cracked so bad that the front end "Death-Wobbled" bad when brakes were touched. The NAPA Super Duty pads were SD-7339M I believe and $70. Very nice pads with beveled ends on pad surface.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Where do I find the wheel cylinder upgrade info? I always wanted to just put disks in the back, but the egr kit is all I found.

There's two sizes you can go with. . . to go up one size ask for wheel cylinders for a '96-'97 Ram 3500. If you want to go a little bigger ask for wheel cylinders for a '96 Chevy 3500. That's what I put on my '98.



They're pretty easy to swap out: Remove brake drum, disconnect brake line with 3/8" wrench, remove two 1/2" bolts and the cylinder comes out. No need to remove brake shoes or any hardware. To put the new one in push the little pistons in toward each other and maneuver the little peg pieces while getting it into position. Don't forget to bleed & adjust the brakes.

 

[cfarrar]

Vaughn, does your post above apply to my '98 12v 3500 also?

 

[RLaJeunesse]

Will they also work on 95 2500 4wd?

 

[Coalsmoke]

I simply went to my local part house, and got ambulance / severe duty grade rotors, calipers and pads, and it made a world of difference and wasn't too bad on the wallet considering what some places like EGR want for 'fancy' setups.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Vaughn, does your post above apply to my '98 12v 3500 also?

cfarrar, since the GM cylinders are a little bigger then yes I'd say they would benefit your Ram 3500. I would suspect they swap out the same, they just mount in with two bolts that take a 1/2" socket to remove and the brake line.

RLaJeunesse I'm sure they'd work on your '95 too. When it comes to drum brakes there's not a lot of differences between brake cylinders.

Now that I've had my bigger units on for awhile I can say yes it stops the truck a little better. Downside is it seems to take more pedal travel before they engage good braking. I did do an initial brake adjustment but maybe I need to tighten the rear brake adjustment up again. But that's one of the tradeoffs of larger cylinders, it takes more pedal travel to equate to the same amount of rod extension to apply the brake shoes.

 

[HerbW]

Vaughn, I see you have both a truck with automatic and one stick shifter. What is your preference? I have an auto in my 98 12 valver and other wished I had went to stick instead.

Question for all! Can I put larger wheel cylinders for a 98 3500 on my 2500? I have four wheel antilocks.

 

[bigdaddydieseldan]

Does having drilled and slotted rotors make a really big difference as far as stopping distance and extended life of brake pads etc ?

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Herb, when it comes to running around town I am happy with the auto, I prefer it. Towing and highway? The manual. Kinda like having one of each in my trucks, and when I kinda get tired of one I just go drive the other truck



Yes you can put 3500 cylinders in your 2500, and not affect 4W ABS by doing so.







Vaughn

 

[HerbW]

Vaughn, Thanks for the info. My rear brakes never seem to help much as you are probably aware of. I want to rebuild the rear brakes due to something seems to leak every once in a while on my left drum. I think it's an axle seal. Darn seals screw up our brakes and our salmon! Need to take out a few. LOL Herb