2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Basic ABS question

[Bobalos]

Good morning folks,



I have a 98, 3/4T, 2x4, Quad Cab with an auto & the CTD motor.



I was cruising home the other day & some Yahoo locked the brakes up in front of me & I had to hammer on the brakes. the brakes locked up & the lady next to me about soiled her shorts (Me too, who needs that after a long day @ work, LOL).



My questions are:



is this thing 2 or 4 wheel ABS (I would guess rear only)?



is anyone else less than impressed with the ABS?



I realize that its a LOT of truck to stop, but... ... ... ... .



thanks

Bob

 

[FourBarR]

i have a 98. 5 2500 2x4. has rear wheel abs only. not very impressed with its stopping power.

 

[RT66DOC]

Hi Bob

4 wheel ABS was an available option in '96. Probably the same on yours. I have it on mine and have only needed it a couple times. Works good.



One of the gurus will probably chime in here shortly and explain how to identify whether or not you have it. I think you can tell just by looking under the hood - big thing back by the firewall on the driver's side that's always in the way when you're trying to work in that area.



Crew Chiefs, where are you?

 

[y-knot]

He is right, It was avalable as an $495. 00 option. I never got it, the tight azz's would spring 5000 for the Cummins then cheap out on the ABS. Oh well, Look under the hood, drivers side back by the firewall. The 4 wheel ABS units have a n electronic controller that sets next to the master cylinder. Or look under the front , and behind the wheels, the 4W ABS trucks have a thick black cable(wire) going to the back of the hub, it runs along with the brake line. No wire no ABS.

 

[Bobalos]

thanks gents, I got to crawl under it today & there is a sensor on the pumpkin but not on the front wheels. I suppose it makes sense that it should work better when the truck has a load (or trailer), & likely does not do much when its empty (which it was). No biggie I suppose, I guess I need to pay more attn to the road than the awesome sound of that CTD. LOL



thanks again.

Bob

 

[Mundgyver]

Something to remember about ABS systems, they don't allow you to stop quicker. They were developed for aircraft originally to prevent the locking up of the wheels on the landing gear during landings on wet runways. This feature keep the plane from blowing a tire and causing a major bad day, i. e. crash and burn.



The automotive world picked up on them after realizing that by using them, you can apply maximum breaking pressure to the wheels to the point of almost locking them up and this allows you to be able to still control (steer) the vehicle without skidding.



Once again, they won't stop you any quicker, they just allow you to have better control. Where they work the best is on wet roads or snow and ice. Thats why when you stand on them hard, you will hear a growl coming from the brakes. This is the modulator, working the brakes based on the sensors seeing them starting to lock up. The modulator is releasing the brake and then reapplying pressure. Like pumping the brakes in an older car, but a heck of allot faster.



They may not be impressive in a panic stop on dry pavement, but the next time you get a chance on a very long wide open straight road, with a down hill slop and some wet conditions or snow, with no one else around, hit the brakes and just stand on them hard. They should produce a very audible growl and you should be able to control the rig with no problem.



First time my wife had an experience with them, she came running home in a panic thinking she had broken something. I took her out and we went down the same hill with me driving and I stood on them hard to show her how they worked.



Food for thought. Hope this explanation helps somewhat.