2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Brake Pads: What do you recommend? 1997 Ram 3500

[WCRoller]

Hello I just tried ordering some OEM Mopar brake pads today with the company telling me they are no longer in production...? These were not Value line but OEM.
1997 Ram 3500 2WD
I am wondering what are the second best pads I can run close to OEM or better?
I haul a heavy camper around 90% of the time.
Currently using NAPA brand but they suck......fade and other issues with them not good stopping power....
Looking into other alternative brands....I want the best!
Thanks for any input.

 

[GrantP]

I was very happy with the Akebono Ceramic pads on my 97 paired with Brembo rotors. Almost no dust, zero noise, no warping. I never had any fade issues but I never towed heavy with the truck either (probably 6k max). Before those I tried some Hawk pads on slotted rotors and the noise was unbearable, didn't get 10k miles on the set before I tossed both the pads and rotors in the garbage. My .02

 

[crabman]

There are some sellers on Ebay that sell OEM brake pads at a very good price. Might be worth your time to do some searching.

 

[wlowe]

My front brakes started to pulse at about 50k miles, so I purchased powerslot slotted and cryo'ed rotors and ebc pads, non-Asbestos. No pulsing since installed, very little dust and stop on a dime. Also installed stainless speed bleeders and DOT 4 brake fluid.

 

[BigPapa]

I run Wagner ThermoQuiet's.

 

[JMcCoy]

If you are hauling heavy, you don't want ceramic pads. I currently have either Bendix or Napa. I cannot remember. They have been fine, but I also have Ford brakes, so they are apples and oranges. People tend to be very happy with EGR Kevlar pads. That's probably where I'll be looking next. They are expensive though.

 

[tmothy89]

HAWk HPS pads. They offer better braking power than ceramics but dust is a little bit more.

 

[CyberRanger]

We live in the mountains of Colorado & really hammered our brakes on our '02. We ponied up & went to EGR Brakes (http://www.egrbrakes.com) at just over 100K. The truck stops like a sports car & will shock you how fast it will come to a halt. Well worth the $$$ & effort.

 

[CharlieFoxtrot]

I used to run Carbomet but they don't make our pads anymore. I had NAPA before the Carbomets and they sucked. Just installed Bendix Metlok Fleet pads and am happy so far. Their police pads did well in the Michigan State Police tests...

 

[JMcCoy]

Anyone with a 00-02 should install 2010 brakes. Massive rotors, calipers, and pads. The brackets are also needed.

 

[CharlieFoxtrot]

That's still a 4x4 mod, right? OP has 2WD.

 

[SMcGrady]

I just did the brakes on my 99 2wd a couple of months back. I did the front and rears. I got all the parts from brake.performance.com I went with slotted & dimpled rotors w/ceramic pads on the front and I did the 1 ton GMC dually mod on the rears with new drums and shoes too. I also flushed out the brake fluid and replaced it with DOT 5.1. I don't know that the fluid will make a big difference, but wow... it really squats down and stops great now. I just sold the truck a couple of weeks back and the new owner was really impressed with the stopping compared to the other trucks he had been driving...

 

[JMcCoy]

That's still a 4x4 mod, right? OP has 2WD.

Yes, I overlooked that very important detail. You can still do the rears, but it is kind of pointless without being able to do the front too.