Attention: TDR Forum Junkies WoW!
For those of you who, like me, have been unhappy with their 2500 brakes, here is some happy news. Dodge 3500 series (heavy duty/continuous towing) rear wheel cylinders can be swapped out with your existing cylinders. You won't believe the difference in stopping power. Say goodbye to premature front pad wear...
The parts information, for those interested, is:
(this is the way it reads on the ticket)
QTY (2) FP NUMBER 4761603
DESCRIPTION -- WHEEL CYL W 5064011
UNIT PRICE 49. 88
I've gotten cozy with the head of the parts department, at our local dealership. I bugged the poor guy with stupid questions until he assigned me a "shop account". You can request the same at your local dealership. If you can provide a business license number (tax id #) or even a business check they'll (typically, anyway) set you up with a parts dept. account. All of a sudden your parts costs get shrunk by about 40%.
The wheel cylinder price quoted above is "retail". You can probably buy them cheaper using the above method. I've learned that parts people are typically the objects of lots of abuse (both from their resident grease monkeys and the shade tree variety, too) so they really appreciate a smile and a pat on the back for a job well done. I discovered (at 40,000+ miles) that my rear window (fixed, not a slider) was leaking and my carpet had mildewed. The dealership did a "good faith" repair of the window, removing and reinstalling it, but I had to eat the cost of the new carpet. Dodge makes replacement carpet to match the original. It is molded, with a contoured, heavy rubber-backed bottom. The cost of the replacement was over $200. 00 With my discount I got it for $154. 08!
Sorry for the long ramble, here...
Get the wheel cylinders. You won't believe the difference in stopping power -- just the weight of your foot will stop ANY truck. Mine weighs well over 8,000 pounds (with all the after-market bolt-ons) and it now stops like a BMW!
I swapped out the cylinder myself, 'cause the dealership was going to charge 2 hours labor for this simple job. Even if you have the dealer do it, parts and labor shouldn't run over $150 - $200. For those of you contemplating a $1,000 E-brake, please try this solution first. (then get the E-brake, anyway!) ;-)
------------------
97 2500 4x4, club cab, auto, 3. 54 limited slip, JRE 4" exhaust, Dr. Performance Fuel system (370 HP), turbo, Geno's guages -- Boost, EGT, transmission & Rear -- MAG Hytec covers, SunCoast Converter/Transgo shift kit, Brite Box, tons o'chrome under hood, Prime Loc, EZ Drain, Seat covers, wood dash, Rancho Suspension, Warn M12000 Winch on Warn Brush Guard, Warn driving and fog lights, Hella twin back up lights, 285/75/R16 B. F. G. ATs on Mickey Thompson rims; Linex bed liner, BD exhaust brake.
For those of you who, like me, have been unhappy with their 2500 brakes, here is some happy news. Dodge 3500 series (heavy duty/continuous towing) rear wheel cylinders can be swapped out with your existing cylinders. You won't believe the difference in stopping power. Say goodbye to premature front pad wear...
The parts information, for those interested, is:
(this is the way it reads on the ticket)
QTY (2) FP NUMBER 4761603
DESCRIPTION -- WHEEL CYL W 5064011
UNIT PRICE 49. 88
I've gotten cozy with the head of the parts department, at our local dealership. I bugged the poor guy with stupid questions until he assigned me a "shop account". You can request the same at your local dealership. If you can provide a business license number (tax id #) or even a business check they'll (typically, anyway) set you up with a parts dept. account. All of a sudden your parts costs get shrunk by about 40%.
The wheel cylinder price quoted above is "retail". You can probably buy them cheaper using the above method. I've learned that parts people are typically the objects of lots of abuse (both from their resident grease monkeys and the shade tree variety, too) so they really appreciate a smile and a pat on the back for a job well done. I discovered (at 40,000+ miles) that my rear window (fixed, not a slider) was leaking and my carpet had mildewed. The dealership did a "good faith" repair of the window, removing and reinstalling it, but I had to eat the cost of the new carpet. Dodge makes replacement carpet to match the original. It is molded, with a contoured, heavy rubber-backed bottom. The cost of the replacement was over $200. 00 With my discount I got it for $154. 08!
Sorry for the long ramble, here...
Get the wheel cylinders. You won't believe the difference in stopping power -- just the weight of your foot will stop ANY truck. Mine weighs well over 8,000 pounds (with all the after-market bolt-ons) and it now stops like a BMW!
I swapped out the cylinder myself, 'cause the dealership was going to charge 2 hours labor for this simple job. Even if you have the dealer do it, parts and labor shouldn't run over $150 - $200. For those of you contemplating a $1,000 E-brake, please try this solution first. (then get the E-brake, anyway!) ;-)
------------------
97 2500 4x4, club cab, auto, 3. 54 limited slip, JRE 4" exhaust, Dr. Performance Fuel system (370 HP), turbo, Geno's guages -- Boost, EGT, transmission & Rear -- MAG Hytec covers, SunCoast Converter/Transgo shift kit, Brite Box, tons o'chrome under hood, Prime Loc, EZ Drain, Seat covers, wood dash, Rancho Suspension, Warn M12000 Winch on Warn Brush Guard, Warn driving and fog lights, Hella twin back up lights, 285/75/R16 B. F. G. ATs on Mickey Thompson rims; Linex bed liner, BD exhaust brake.
