2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 95 Brakes not as good as 2004

[KennethS]

The biggest difference between driving my 95 and 2004 Is the brakes. What do I half to do to make the brakes like my 2004. The 2004 brakes are a dream to use. I guess you will half to drive each to know the difference. I would like to Inprove the brakes on my 95 one ton

 

[jtwcummins]

Unless you spend the money to put 4 wheel disc brakes on you can only approach the braking on the 04. When my brakes were setup, good fronts and properly adjusted rears, I had very good brakes. Problem was the rear drums didn't self adjust, so every oil change I did rear adjustment. Still had ocasional pulling from front. Broke down and got complete front kit and rear shoes, bigger cylinders and hardware kit from EGR. Now have very good brakes and the rears do self adjust most of the time. Starting is an option, but stopping is mandatory.

Total cost was about $1500 and I would do it again. I didn't do EGR's rear dsic conversion, would have been about $300 more, because the parking brake version uses pads off an old Toronado/Cadilac front drive car. Want to be able to get parts for a 97 and know they will fit.

 

[CJ Lagos]

The biggest difference is the front calipers. You probably would need to swap everything from the knuckle out. Best case scenario is the balljoints are the same and the new knuckle bolts up to the old inner c casting. Since your truck is only rear abs, you can just leave the abs sensors off - the brakes will work just fine. There may be a difference in how far the wheel hub sticks out on the newer stuff because they changed backspacing when they did this too.



I would argue the value of rear disc brakes is not really pure stopping power, as properly adjusted drums work pretty well - especially for a parking brake.



Pictures of my front brakes:

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=137016