Brake upgrade

mgaither0 · 01-12-2010, 12:57 AM

Besides the vanco big brake kit I was wondering what brakes most jeepers are using. I am soon to be running 35's and have a 4.0l auto. I was just wondering what sort of pads i should look into and the vanco kit is out of the price range. Any ideas would be awesome thanks.

**TJamz** · 01-12-2010, 01:57 AM

Bump for mutual interest!

**LuckRider** · 01-12-2010, 02:59 AM

A lot run the EBC yellow stuff brake pads. DO NOT get slotted/cross drilled/heat reduction rotors of any kind. They hinder performance, and mud will mess with them.

Some people run brakes from Grand Cherokees iirc. I think that is what the vanco kit is based on.

**TheBoogieman** · 01-12-2010, 03:58 AM

I've used the EBC yellowstuff pads and Centric rotors with good results for 35's.

robncar · 01-12-2010, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luckrider

...Some people run brakes from Grand Cherokees iirc. I think that is what the vanco kit is based on.

No, that's not what the Vanco kit is based on. They have machined the knuckles, fabricated an adaptor plate, and in my case use Ford Explorer Sport-Trac dual-piston calipers. The rotor is a Centric Premium in a much larger diameter than stock.

To the OP, best non-Vanco results seem to be EBC Yellowstuff pads and Centric Premium rotors.

cyberiv · 01-12-2010, 08:07 AM

My EBC yellows in front work great. i also have the greens in the rear. I use slotted/dimpled rotors, and actually like them, but i am very hard on brakes, and tend to heat them up. Havnt noticed any significant brake fade yet, and ive had to make a few short stops...even with 35's i had more room than i expected...

littledevilTJ · 01-12-2010, 08:09 AM

has anyone done a good write up on the WJ brake upgrade?

Why J? · 01-12-2010, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littledevilTJ

has anyone done a good write up on the WJ brake upgrade?

The upgrade is pretty straight forward.

WJ knuckles swap, results in cross over steering, beefer tre's and dual piston calipers with larger disc.

**REDLYNER** · 01-12-2010, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littledevilTJ

has anyone done a good write up on the WJ brake upgrade?

A guy a wheel with did the WJ upgrade and was really pleased with it. He had to make a custom tie rod for it, but other than that, he said it went on with out too much trouble.

Other advantages (besides larger brakes) were it raised all of the steering up (more clearance) and he only had a little over $300 in the whole project. His was on an MJ, not a TJ (but I believe the setup is the same), and he said he did not experience any bumpsteer or other negative characteristics.

jgorm · 01-12-2010, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Why J?

The upgrade is pretty straight forward.

WJ knuckles swap, results in cross over steering, beefer tre's and dual piston calipers with larger disc.

That sounds pretty sweet! got any more info? Will it work on a rubi d44 front?

Why J? · 01-12-2010, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgorm

That sounds pretty sweet! got any more info? Will it work on a rubi d44 front?

Burnsville Offroad - WJ-TJ Steering Brake Conversion

Everything you need to know.

Hell i think there was even something on TRUCKS! about this on their budget xj build.

Might want to find a 1/4" spacer instead of the washers.

and

If you do not want to redrill rotors you can use rotors from a 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 2wd (not 4wd no way they will work).

**mrblaine** · 01-12-2010, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Why J?

If you do not want to redrill rotors you can use rotors from a 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac 2wd (not 4wd no way they will work).

There's a rotor from a 2wd 03 Sport Trac, notice anything odd?

**mrblaine** · 01-12-2010, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Why J?

The upgrade is pretty straight forward.

WJ knuckles swap, results in cross over steering, beefer tre's and dual piston calipers with larger disc.

If the swap was anything but straight forward, I would have developed it for Van.

You need new trackbar, new draglink, and new tie rod. The trackbar has to have a mount made or purchased and welded on and the unitbearing has to be spaced out at the knuckle with a weld on spacer.

If you can't fab and understand how to set up steering geometry, do something else.

Why J? · 01-12-2010, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrblaine

There's a rotor from a 2wd 03 Sport Trac, notice anything odd?

I drilled my rotors, the Sport Trac rotor is just what I read on pirate.

Any suggestions? besides the Vanco kit you helped design?

**acrijos** · 01-12-2010, 10:15 AM

EBC yellow + Premium Centric Rotors. They work well on and off road.