Brake recommendations

[CincyCuda68]

looking for opinions on brake and rotor upgrades for 2018 2500. I don’t tow often but when I do it’s heavy 8,500-11,000. I have looked at the power stop and ebc. Don’t have the funds for a big brake upgrade but I’d like to have something a bit better than stock.

 

[crash68]

Something to think about, the same brake pads and rotor size is used on the 2500/3500 line up... several of those are rated to tow almost 3X what you are.
Drilled and slotted rotors might cool off faster but they also heat up faster, you can have one without the other.
If your over braking when towing heavy, it's bad for any type of brake you have.

 

[CincyCuda68]

Something to think about, the same brake pads and rotor size is used on the 2500/3500 line up... several of those are rated to tow almost 3X what you are.
Drilled and slotted rotors might cool off faster but they also heat up faster, you can have one without the other.
If your over braking when towing heavy, it's bad for any type of brake you have.

I appreciate your input, been towing for 35 years so I’m good there. I’m looking for improved performance but don’t want something that will get eaten alive when I tow, that is why I mentioned it.

 

[pwjouster]

high performance race parts are built for one race.

 

[CincyCuda68]

high performance race parts are built for one race.

Wow that’s helpful, I don’t recall asking for recommendations on high performance race brakes but thanks for your input. Wow

 

[bigdodge]

Unless you want to spend about 1k just some better pads from ebc or stoptech will help. Ssbc makes some billet 8 piston calipers for our truck. I have a 2 piston set on my second gen 1500 and they have been great. Going on 15 years with no issue.

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[CincyCuda68]

Unless you want to spend about 1k just some better pads from ebc or stoptech will help. Ssbc makes some billet 8 piston calipers for our truck. I have a 2 piston set on my second gen 1500 and they have been great. Going on 15 years with no issue.

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Thank you, so no advantage in using rotor pad combo when using factory calipers? Nick@gotexhaust recommended R1 Concepts Geomet drilled and slotted Rotors and Posi-quiet Ext wear pads.
I’m just trying to figure out if it’s worth upgrading while keeping factory calipers. Also don’t want something that will be eaten alive when I tow. The trailer for the bobcat doesn’t have brakes so that thing is hard on the truck.

 

[lpfm1990]

Stock brakes handle stopping fine, I went with nicks geomet regular rotors and posi quiet pads on my 3500, they stop the truck plenty fine. To give you an idea, hotshot guys run stock mopar setup for 300-400k with no issues stepping well over 30k in weight, factory will have no issue with 10-11k


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[CincyCuda68]

Stock brakes handle stopping fine, I went with nicks geomet regular rotors and posi quiet pads on my 3500, they stop the truck plenty fine. To give you an idea, hotshot guys run stock mopar setup for 300-400k with no issues stepping well over 30k in weight, factory will have no issue with 10-11k


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How do you like the geomet? Do you see any better braking overall (when not towing)? I’m not knocking the stock brakes, I could easily go stock but if there is better out there for a reasonable price I’ll upgrade.

 

[lpfm1990]

How do you like the geomet? Do you see any better braking overall (when not towing)?

Mine are not slotted/drilled, but so far so good, no complaint or the old braking squeal I had since day one when I drove the truck off the lot with 12 miles on the odometer


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[CincyCuda68]

Mine are not slotted/drilled, but so far so good, no complaint or the old braking squeal I had since day one when I drove the truck off the lot with 12 miles on the odometer


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And there is that, mine have squealed since day 1 as well. I’d gladly spend a few extra bucks to loose that.

 

[lpfm1990]

And there is that, mine have squealed since day 1 as well. I’d gladly spend a few extra bucks to loose that.

Both my 3500 6.4 and current 3500 6.7 did it, and so has my dads rams (1500, 2500, and 3500) it’s almost so common I don’t even hear it anymore [emoji23]


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[CincyCuda68]

Both my 3500 6.4 and current 3500 6.7 did it, and so has my dads rams (1500, 2500, and 3500) it’s almost so common I don’t even hear it anymore [emoji23]


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Thank you for the help! I appreciate it.

 

[pwjouster]

Wow that’s helpful, I don’t recall asking for recommendations on high performance race brakes but thanks for your input. Wow

haha its just the easiest way to put it.

a simple fluid and pad upgrade should be the first step. (if your rotors have plenty of life left)
most aftermarket rotors which are drillled/dimpled/slotted are not ideal compared to OEM rotors.
the vented but solid oem style handles the heat our rigs generate over the long run much better.

my plan will be to upgrade the brake lines, fluid and pads to EBC or powerstop if my Rotors are good.

Honestly, Something is up with the stock rotors. The pictures i see of rotors on trucks in the north and midwest scare the hell out of me.
They need to be coated from the factory. Mine have developed alot of rust on the interior and exterior of the vents. Structurally sound, but not sure how long they will last, no reason to waste pads on crap rotors.
On the other hand, my stock rotors have held up the best over 24,000 miles than any of my other vehicles. I abuse the brakes, and wish i had a little more bite.


you could go aftermarket caliper and rotor big brake upgrade, but id be damned if a high performance kit could take serious towing over the same term an OEM kit can handle.

brakes parts are unique as the reliability/performance/extended heat soak capability is a defined ratio.
I have never seen a high performance brake kit for any $$ amount stand up to Long term reliability in trucks and Heavy SUVs.(anything over 15k miles)

 

[6.4LMegaMan]

Just got this email from Autoanything on Power Stop brakes. I've never tried them but have been seeing them mentioned often. I haven't priced them but think they should be a good quality, cost effective solution.

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[CincyCuda68]

Thank you for all the help. I have decided to go with @Nick@GotExhaust recommendation of R1 Concepts Geomet drilled and slotted Rotors and Posi-quiet Ext wear pads. Nick has been a great help with many of my mods as well as my buddies 5th gen and everything he has recommended has been top notch.

 

[Tumbleweed]

The trailer for the bobcat doesn’t have brakes so that thing is hard on the truck.

I think I would look into adding trailer brakes before I did anything to my truck.

 

[theviking]

Drilled rotors are not providing any real benefit other then looks. Unless the rotors were cast with holes they are likely to develop cracks over time. IMO, going with anything other then OEM rotors is a crap-shoot unless you have really done your homework on the quality of steel and casting process being used.

Your money is better spent on quality/upgraded pads and fluid.

 

[CincyCuda68]

I think I would look into adding trailer brakes before I did anything to my truck.

I don’t have any say in the trailer brakes for the bobcat, it is rented several times a year. None of the rental places have brakes on the trailers.

 

[CincyCuda68]

Drilled rotors are not providing any real benefit other then looks. Unless the rotors were cast with holes they are likely to develop cracks over time. IMO, going with anything other then OEM rotors is a crap-shoot unless you have really done your homework on the quality of steel and casting process being used.

Your money is better spent on quality/upgraded pads and fluid.

Thank you for your feedback, I’ve already made the decision, there are tons of guys on here running the R1 and the Z36 who have nothing but good things to say about them. So I feel comfortable about the decision, if I have any issues I will be sure to post back and let everyone know.
I have done a ton of reading and research and the drilled rotors do dissipate heat faster than the solid, the slots are there to allow dust and gas to escape between the pad and the rotor, so I’m going to have to go with the science over your opinion, but to each their own.