2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission How much better do the trucks w/ rear discs stop?

[Niki]

Thinking of buying a second gen again, I used to have a 95 2500 4x4 and the brakes sucked, went through front pads all the time, and yes the rears were adjusted. Are the front brakes the same on all the trucks, and when did they start w/ the rear discs? Thanks-Nick

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

I think rear discs started around '01. Even if you buy another 12V, you can swap rear axles or do a rear disc conversion. I put EGR's rear disc conversion on my '97 and the braking is 100% better. It's a bit spendy but I feel well worth it.

 

[thejeepdude]

Yes, the rear discs started in '01. 5... and they stop much better, but more than that are much less of a pain to take care of. I am well aware of this fact, as it's the main reason I sold my '99. I was so sick of working on drums and replacing front rotors (because they were taking up the slack for the crappy drums) that I started looking for 01. 5 and up trucks, and when I found a deal my buddy bought it! So, I ended up just getting an '05. Well, now that buddy joined the army and I am helping him sell his truck... I wouldn't mind a trip to IL.

 

[DMannon]

I had a 96 that went through 2 sets of fronts in 50k miles with badly warped rotors both times. The dealership finally replaced the rears with a factory upgrade that changed the front/rear braking ratio. That seemed to help.



My 01 and 02 brakes are great... stop on a dime, give you nine cents change... :-laf Oh, and really easy to service.

 

[NPloysa]

I don't know if it was the torque of a Cummins or crappy brakes but I took my old boss's 95 to the gas station one day, forgot to release the E-brake (it wasn't set too tight), drove all the way there (3 miles) with it on, I smelled something toasty!



Not really on topic, but a funny brake story!

 

[KKohagen]

I had a 96 that went through 2 sets of fronts in 50k miles with badly warped rotors both times. The dealership finally replaced the rears with a factory upgrade that changed the front/rear braking ratio. That seemed to help.



My 01 and 02 brakes are great... stop on a dime, give you nine cents change... :-laf Oh, and really easy to service.

I second the above statement. My truck can literally stop on a dime. If I had the rear drums, I would seriously upgrade to disks. I have 40+k miles on my current set and still 75% left. I commute in stop/go traffic ~50 miles. Well worth the $$ IMHO. Hope this helps.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Absolutely NO comparison between my previous '91 and the '02 - the disc rears and the much improved ABS removes the white-knuckle effect from emergency stops - the '91 REALLY gave me grey hairs a few times when I had to stop suddenly in short distances while towing the RV...

 

[RustyJC]

No comparison between my 1996 3500 and my 2002 3500 with 4 wheel discs. I have no complaint whatsoever with the discs on my 2002.



Rusty

 

[widewheel]

When I ordered my '01 in September of '00 the spec. sheet said front disc/rear drum. When the truck arrived on 11/01/2000 it had front/rear discs. It may have been one of the first '01 1/2's out of the St Louis assembly plant set up like this. I have 94,250 miles on the truck and the original pads are still in great shape! I recently had the tires rotated and had the brakes inspected at the same time. I have always been easy on brakes. Last Saturday I had to make an emergency stop as someone pulled out in front of me. The truck just made a rapid stop without incident, in a straight line no wheel lockup or anything.

 

[Niki]

Thanks for all the feedback, anyone know if the master cylinder also has to be changed when putting a disc brake rear in?

 

[wtfd6]

I am getting ready to research discs for the rear of mine. I think it will definately be pricy to get rear discs of a drw. but I know it will be worth it.


Mark

 

[dtygart]

Anyone got a $$ estimate for a complete used DRW axle with discs? I imagine that master cyl and proportioning valve need to be modified? I only have RWAL, is that good enough?

thanks,

david

 

[Allnew2Me]

I don't know if it has to be changed for a rear disc setup, but the master on a factory rear disc is about 4 times larger than on the trucks with rear drums. Compare them on 2 trucks to see the difference.

 

[wtfd6]

I once priced a used axle. it was like $1250. that is expensive.


Mark

 

[pgleavitt]

Last time I checked you have to switch rear ends to put rear disc on a drw. Nobody made a conv. for the drw. I did read a post by someone a long time back that did it but they had to cut and weld brackets on themselves.

 

[DNewell]

Did a little reading around on the internet, it appears that everyone is gung-ho on four wheel disc brakes for performance applications. Here's my two cents on this subject. From what I read, drums are less effective at dissapating heat, which leads to quicker brake fade. However, based upon drum size compared to disc size, you will have greater stopping power with rear drums, as the pads are significantly larger and there's more surface area. However, as the drum heats up, it can't effectively lose the heat as compared to a disc setup. If you are doing a lot of braking for long periods of time, discs would be the way to go.

I think that one should ask the question, why not put an exhaust brake on your truck? The cost to upgrade a rear axle is astronomical, and would be a real hassle... If you're buying a 24v 2nd gen, you can slap an exhaust brake on without much hassle, and at around 700-800, the cost is quite a bit less than a rear axle, and would be more beneficial. I would recommend also switching to EGR vented rotors on the front and upgrade the pads in the rear drums with EGR pads.

This is only my two cents worth, I'm no expert, but I think in 90% of all applications, this would be overkill.

 

[JCyrbok]

My 01. 5 2500 stops better that my previous 97 1500 with rear drums.



I have 65K on the original brake pads/rotors plus as stated above by other disk brakes are just easier to work on too.



J-

 

[chuckwilson]

Hey check this out it may help www.tsmmfg.com/Dodge_Truck.htm & you dont have to change the master cyl. with this !!!!!!

 

[bjonesAZ]

Was it the 2002 model that went to 17" wheels? When ever Dodge went to 17" wheels they also went to a wider diameter disc. My late model 2001 HO has four wheel disc ABS with 90,000 miles and original rotors/pads and that includes many thousands of miles pulling approx. 15K#s on Rocky Mountain grades.



The ABS disc set-up will also shut down very quickly when going into sharp, off-camber dirt road curves at speed.



Bob