2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Large Disc Brake Upgrades for Gen 2 Dually's

[southernman]

Guys, I'm aware of some aftermarket kits out there that offer disc brake upgrades for our trucks, however, most are priced on the other side of $1000, and that just gets you a rear set up. I miss my '02 3500, which had world class brakes (4 wheel disc) and I was wondering if it's possible to use factory parts from the later Gen 2's? or Gen 3 trucks to convert (economically) my Gen 2 brakes to 4 wheel discs? Has anyone attempted this in the past, or aware of the part number, and hurdles, to make such a conversion.



In summary, I love the truck, but the brakes - even with the big bore rear wheel cylinder kits installed and the semi-metallic front pads up front still stops like a dump truck when hauling my car trailer, etc. While adequate, there's a lot of room for improvement...



Dave in Raleigh, NC

'96 3500 Dually 4X4, 3:55 axles, #10 injector plate, 4" exhaust, SB Clutch, 160K miles and still runs like new.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Dodge did pretty major brake, suspension & axle changes for the 2000 model year. . . adding disk brakes to the rear is pretty easy using OEM parts for 2000 and up Rams. You can also do 3rd Gen front calipers & rotors on 2000 and up Rams. 1999 and older is a different story, aftermarket is the only practical solution as far as I know. The ball joints and knuckes are different for the front, the rigging for the rear brakes uses different dimensions where it bolts to the axle flange. This is good reading 3rd gen front brakes on 2nd gen - BOMBER Board

 

[HBarlow]

Add in the price of 17" or 19. 5" wheels and tires if you decide to retrofit Gen III larger brake rotors.

 

[AClayton]

I had problems with my brakes also until I located the brake proportional valve on the frame well behind the fuel tank. Some say to bypass,I chose to weld in a 3" length of steel stock to effectively lengthen the rod and fool the prop valve that there was always a little load in the bed. It has worked well for me for over 2 yrs now. My truck unloaded always seemed to stop with only the front axle and now I feel the rear wheels engaging when I need them to.

 

[southernman]

Guys, thanks so much for the responses here, as I've definitely learned a lot. Mostly, that there are many others out there pondering the same issues. The Bomber site was excellent and if I get my hands a the later model knuckles etc, I'll try to decipher what the key issues are.



It's apparent that, though Dodge may have modified knuckles and such, that the basic frames appears almost unchanged. I'm also going to look, photograph, and measure some bare frames when I encounter them.



There is a company Circle Track Supply - circle track racing parts, oval track racing parts, dirt track racing partsCircle Track Supply, Inc. that offers a rear wheel conversion kit for the Gen2 and, close as I can tell, it looks like one simple adapter between the rotor and hub is all that's need to upgrage the rears. I'll keep pluggin' on the fronts.



Again, thanks guys ! This forum is great !

 

[Regcabguy]

Guys, thanks so much for the responses here, as I've definitely learned a lot. Mostly, that there are many others out there pondering the same issues. The Bomber site was excellent and if I get my hands a the later model knuckles etc, I'll try to decipher what the key issues are.



It's apparent that, though Dodge may have modified knuckles and such, that the basic frames appears almost unchanged. I'm also going to look, photograph, and measure some bare frames when I encounter them.



There is a company Circle Track Supply - circle track racing parts, oval track racing parts, dirt track racing partsCircle Track Supply, Inc. that offers a rear wheel conversion kit for the Gen2 and, close as I can tell, it looks like one simple adapter between the rotor and hub is all that's need to upgrage the rears. I'll keep pluggin' on the fronts.



Again, thanks guys ! This forum is great !

A 2001. 5 rear axle had the first disc brakes and is supposed to be a bolt on deal. Like Harvey said,a 17" wheel might enable EGR's bigger caliper kit to be used. I did the EGR rear disc conversion on my 98. 5,but it lacked the punch of the factory setup. The parking brake is soft after that too. Cracked dashes are one thing,but the 2nd gen pre-2001. 5's brakes just aren't adequate from the factory.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

If you look around 17" stock Ram takeoff tires & wheels are pretty cheap, cheaper than a set of new 16" tires mounted and balanced. I paid $400 for the aluminum wheels off an '05 Ram with Michelin tires that had about 70% tread left.