2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 2wd 98 Brake Swap to 2000 and newer?

[Cummins12V98]

What does it take to go to the bigger brakes on the front of a 98 2wd.

Want more stopping power!

 

[Cummins12V98]

No one has done a front brake upgrade on a 98 2wd?

 

[JR]

It isn't possible the outers are completely different (from the ball joints out) which makes the unit bearings, calipers and rotors all different with different mounting points

It's a bit of a curse but to be honest I've had both set ups and the ball joints and the steering on the 98 are more robust than the 00 And up and the brakes aren't that much better.

 

[NIsaacs]

I don't think the front brakes are the problem, it's the rears, unless you have already done an upgrade.

Nick

 

[Cummins12V98]

That was my biggest concern that the mounting pointed and ball joints were different.

I guess I will look for a D80 from a late 01 -02 and get the rear disk's.

I did the EGR disk kit on my other 98 and I think a axle swap is a better way to go.

I have gone thru elimination the proportioning vale and larger wheel cylinders on my other 98.

So I have done all the mods on the other 98. Factory rear disks will be next I guess.

Thanks!

 

[fox]

I just did the brakes on my 98. A bigger front pad should not help stop the truck. It will give better wear though.

Mine was out of adjustment rears. The front pads, smaller should stop better because of pressure per square inch.

I suspect the rear adjustable valve . It is set up to work the rear brakes more with weight on the rear. What do members do to this valve? Reason is my truck has air bags and sits higher, so the rears do less work?

 

[Cummins12V98]

I just did the brakes on my 98. A bigger front pad should not help stop the truck. It will give better wear though.

Mine was out of adjustment rears. The front pads, smaller should stop better because of pressure per square inch.

I suspect the rear adjustable valve . It is set up to work the rear brakes more with weight on the rear. What do members do to this valve? Reason is my truck has air bags and sits higher, so the rears do less work?

The 2000-2002 larger front pads have dual piston calipers and DO make a huge difference in stopping power.

You can remove the rear proportioning valve any install a straight hose. There is a Chrysler part for that. Works great if you have rear anti lock brakes.

 

[fox]

Ok, thanks.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

That was my biggest concern that the mounting pointed and ball joints were different.

I guess I will look for a D80 from a late 01 -02 and get the rear disk's.

I did the EGR disk kit on my other 98 and I think a axle swap is a better way to go...

Just note that the 2000 and up axles have a 2 inch wider track, which may make your 2wd look funny with the rear tires sitting out to the edge of the wheelwells more than the fronts.

It's too bad Dodge made such a major suspension change in 2000. I had a 2001 2wd the same time as my '98 and I parked them side by side and compared the front suspensions, they were vastly different from each other and not at all feasible to interchange anything... the control arms are different sizes (beefier on the '01), frame mount points different, different style ball joints, calipers, wheel offset, etc.

I put a Blackbird rear disk kit on my '98.5 2wd and am pretty happy with it, major improvement in braking and considerably improved pedal feel over the drums http://www.blackbirdscustomtrucks.com/index10.html

 

[Cummins12V98]

Thanks Vaughn!

Do they use the Cadillac Eldorado calipers? I have done the EGR rear disk kit on three 2nd gen's and it worked better then the drums but I think this time I will find a 01.5-02 rear axle with factory disks and do a swap.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Yes they're the El Dorado calipers.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Has anyone done a driveline brake on their RAM? The one part that is a bit of a pain on the rear disk conversion is the emergency brake.

 

[JR]

You mean a pinion brake? I'm sure it could be done but not sure of the advantages, not to mention it would be $$$. I've never been real impressed with anything I've ever driven that had a pinion brake. They are ok for lower speed driving, but that's about it.
If your truck came with RWAL brakes you may have a bit of a time passing inspection.

 

[JMcCoy]

Larger calipers do make a huge difference in braking. Especially since they are usually accompanied by larger rotors. The larger pad has more surface area. With the more surface area, there is more friction, spread out in a larger area. This helps reduce extreme heat that will boil fluid and cause brake fade. There is a reason high performance vehicles have larger brakes and clutches, not just for longevity. 2000-2002 had smaller pistons in the master cylinder to increase line pressure to the caliper pistons. I went from 98 dodge calipers to 92 ford dual piston calipers when I did my free spin conversion. The differences in braking were night and day. I don't know whether or not that is an option for a 2wd truck. May be something to look into.

 

[RustyJC]

I had front caliper sticking problems with my 1996 2WD 3500, but no problems whatsoever with my 2002 2WD 3500. Both were used to tow 5th wheels, and the braking system on the 2002 (largely due to the rear discs, I'm sure) was FAR superior to the 1996 - no comparison!

Rusty

 

[Cummins12V98]

The brakes are a bit better than my 4wd 98 RAM because it is lighter.

I will look at the Ford option.

I have been looking for a 2wd 02 quad cab 6 speed but they are very rare!

 

[RustyJC]

I have been looking for a 2wd 02 quad cab 6 speed but they are very rare!

I sold my 2002 2WD ETH/DEE 3500 in September 2010 with ~46,500 miles, garage kept and flawless. Too bad you weren't in the market back then!! :-laf

Rusty

 

[Ram4Sam]

I have been looking for a 2wd 02 quad cab 6 speed but they are very rare!

I just sold what you are looking for about six weeks ago.........

Sam

 

[Cummins12V98]

Grrrrrrrr!!!!!!