2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission brake performance

[BKenny]

Hi, I have a 2001 QC 4x4 i bought this truck a couple months ago . I didn,t know Diesels free wheeled so much its like a freight train some times. The brakes don,t feel all that strong on this thing . I have rear drums i guess mine was the last year for them . Is there ways to get more out of them ? would a rear disc swap make a big difference ? I bought this truck to tow my boat most lakes i go to have big hills with switch backs along the way . I got tired of barely haveing enough tourqe to climb these hills with my Bronco and i have always wanted a Cummins. I have,nt got a chance to tow with it yet im sure it will eat these hills for brakefast but im a little worried about being able to keep this thing in control will going down hill . Im sure theres alot of good info,experience and advise here thanks bkenny

 

[JBlock]

try Sam petersen in Washington State, he sells a carbonfiber/ steel brake pads for the front ,they are ossiom. Also there some rear brake conversion kits EGR something like that anyway. Rear conversion are little price. Exhaust brakes are cool but require you automatic to be upgrade to loc in second and a specail controler. Try TDR links for EGR

 

[SHobbs]

You ought to have 13k behind you. You could put an exhaust brake on your truck, but you would have to do some things to your transmission. The only thing I have seen on here as far as drums go, just keep them adjusted, good shoes and keep your fluid clean. I believe the 4x4's have a load proportioning valve, I may be wrong. If you have one you can play with it to get more braking.

 

[RCook]

I pull a 12K lb boat trailer, in very mountainous country. My truck is a five speed, so it doesn't freewheel like the auto does, but in my experience keeping the rear drum brakes adjusted makes a huge difference. They have lots of stopping power if they're kept in good condition. Same goes for the trailer brakes - maintenance is pretty important.



Another thought or two: when you know a big steep downhill is coming, downshift before you start down it, so you don't get to a speed where you have to start using the brakes hard and possibly overheat or stick the trailer brakes. When you do have to use the brakes on a steep downhill, as soon as you get to a more level spot give it the gun briefly, to make sure your surge brakes are not stuck on. Keep that surge brake actuator on the trailer lubed well to minimize the likelihood of it sticking.



My buddy put a torque converter lock switch (cheap, as I recall) on his 98 auto, and it made a world of difference for him towing a 36 foot fifth wheel. When he locks it, the freewheeling stops. He could drop down to third gear and lock it, and have good control on the way down a hill.

 

[Thomas]

. . . I believe the 4x4's have a load proportioning valve . . .

No height-sensing proportioning valve on 2500's with four-wheel ABS after model year 1999.

 

[BKenny]

Yeah,I will try to adjust the rear brakes they might be out of adjusment. My boat trailer has surge brakes and i think there in need of work i have noticed the master cylinder on the trailer has been leaking and eating the paint on the trailer. Theres a place close by that does trailer work (5 wheels rv,s boat trailers )Im going to give them a call my boat is not extremely heavy i think its around 4k i have never weight it so an exhuast brake might be over kill butt that would be nice to have. From what i have read with an auto i there was a box they make that aids in the with the torqe coverter lock up during braking with exhaust brake thanks for the info

 

[y-knot]

Bkenny,

Kenny there are two types of people on here that talk about wanting better brakes. The ones that want better brakes, but are to cheap to spend the money for them. And the ones that realize the brakes are the single most important operating system on board the truck, and go out and get better brakes from a brake performance dealer.

Question is what type person are you??



If you are the first type, I can not help you. Good brakes cost real money.



If you are second type, my advice would be to get a hold of the guy's at EGR Brakes. They have great products that will make your truck stop much better. There is nothing, nothing wrong with drum brakes. With the right wheel cylinders , shoes and adjustments they stop great, and will out perform disk . I made the change last year and have never regretted it once. Yes they cost money, but it is money well spent.

 

[bmoeller]

On the 2500 trucks, you can install the bigger wheel cylinders for a 3500 truck. That will help, plus adjusting the drum brakes.