Upgraded calipers?

thump

thump

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Anyone know of, or have experience with upgrading their F-150 calipers? It's time to change out my front brakes and with 37's and a lot of mountain driving a little extra stoppy power would be nice.
 
thump said:
Anyone know of, or have experience with upgrading their F-150 calipers? It's time to change out my front brakes and with 37's and a lot of mountain driving a little extra stoppy power would be nice.
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There arent any caliper upgrades that involve just swappin out to a 3 or 4 piston setup. I have checked Brembo and many others. You would have to do a complete big break upgrade to achieve better stopping power. And actually w/ runnin 37's you should. When you go that much difference over stock, you put your break system at a mechanical disadvantage over your tire/wheel combo.

Here is the best kit I have found. Just scroll down till you see our year.

http://www.hotrodsusa.com/store/big_truck_brakes.html

Here's a list of coupon's for that site too.

http://www.hotrodsusa.com/store/coupons.html
 
Thanks, Vano. I'll checked that site but only saw an option for 2wd models. When the big tires went on I upgraded to slotted rotors and Hawk pads, but as you said, that doesn't take the place of having proper sized calipers.

To be fair, the stock calipers have done a fine job so far but typically if I tow I'm using my own trailer which has brakes.. I've never really put it to the test with a full non-brake-assisted load going down the mountain but given the piston cracks I had when I last changed out the rears I'm not eager to push it.
 
thump said:
Thanks, Vano. I'll checked that site but only saw an option for 2wd models. When the big tires went on I upgraded to slotted rotors and Hawk pads, but as you said, that doesn't take the place of having proper sized calipers.

To be fair, the stock calipers have done a fine job so far but typically if I tow I'm using my own trailer which has brakes.. I've never really put it to the test with a full non-brake-assisted load going down the mountain but given the piston cracks I had when I last changed out the rears I'm not eager to push it.
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Brother, if you have cracks, its time to change. that crack can turn into a break, and then the piston gets jammed. not good. I too noticed it was for only 2wd, but I'm sure someone makes a big break kit for 4wd since they are more prone to needing one. Ever thought about using the Saleen S331 setup? they have 15" rotors i believe and if its good for 450hp/500ftlbs it should be good towing in the mountains. Can always get a jake break installed and that would help ease the workload on the breaks.

I've got hawks & slotted/drilled on my truck too. I will say this when towing w/out break trailer, after a few stop and goes on the freeway, the front loses its 'bite' until its cooled off again. That was w/ my 72 C-10 in tow over a 50mi highway move.
 
oh yeah.. I found the cracks when changing the rear pads so I changed out the rear calipers with OEM remans. I'm half expecting to find similar cracks when I go to change out the front pads so I figure why order new pads and rotors now and then get stuck ordering replacement calipers as an afterthought when I can just upgrade the whole package from the start.

Anyone seen these before? It looks like the first kit would allow a caliper & pad upgrade without needing to change out rotors again:
http://www.ssbrakes.com/commerce/detail/index.cfm?nPID=8698
http://www.ssbrakes.com/commerce/detail/index.cfm?nPID=8625

Not fuggin cheap though..
 
damn that would be an expensive brake job
 
If you read in the listing of the A193's, it says "*NOTE: Must be used with stock size rotors." Most will state the size for bragging rights the larger size. I had forgotten about these; I had seem them a few year ago but started w/ height rather than safety. The Brembo's would be badass, who wouldnt want 6 piston calipers?? But for a 3 piston setup at over 1/4 the cost of the 6 piston, you'd be a fool not to do the SSBC's over the brembo's.
 
yeah.. I just need to see how worn my current rotors are and then make cost/value decisions. It would be nice to hear from any current F150 SSBC owners on if they made a difference.

I'll post up pics if I get something cool.
 
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