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Braking Upgrade?

brakes braking

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#1 ExplOregon

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Posted 11 May 2020 - 05:02 PM

Hey Everyone,

 

It's time for some new brake pads on the truck, which got me thinking. Should I be considering any upgrades to my braking system? Better pads, rotors, brakes? I have an 09 F150 XLT with Hawk Shell. As far as I know, the truck's braking system is all stock.

 

Loaded up, I'm near my GVWR. Maybe some better brakes would help with piece of mind in terms of stopping distance or longer, steeper descents. I don't have a lot of experience operating bigger, heavier vehicles so any feedback is helpful.

 

I couldn't find anything on the forum about this so I thought I'd ask the question.

 

Thanks!

 


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#2 PaulT

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Posted 11 May 2020 - 05:34 PM

Here is an earlier thread on brakes.

https://www.wanderth...-tundra-brakes/

 

Easier to find in your regular search engine by using "site:wanderthewest.com brake pads" without the quotes.

 

Paul

 


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I thought getting old would take longer.

#3 Vic Harder

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Posted 11 May 2020 - 05:36 PM

On longer descents, downshift to avoid using the brakes.  Heat is the enemy of your brakes.  You can change out the pads to work better when they get hot (like on race cars) but then they usually don't work well when cold (that can be a nasty surprise too!).  If the stock rotors are not warped, I'd try different pads before going for bigger rotors.

 

In order of priority for me on brakes is:

1) Bleed/flush the brakes every two years.  Water in the lines corrodes and boils(!!) when heated

2) Better tires.  With modern ABS, there are two things that limit how fast you can stop: 

--- friction with the road and friction of the brake pads.

3) Better pads.  After the brakes heat up, then brake fade (pads too hot) limits stopping efficiency, not the tires.

 

Here is a thread off of the F-150 forum you might want to read

https://www.f150onli...-upgrade-2.html


Edited by Vic Harder, 11 May 2020 - 05:37 PM.

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#4 Wandering Sagebrush

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Posted 11 May 2020 - 06:10 PM

If your F150 has a tow/haul feature, I recommend using that for downgrades.  If not, simple downshifting does a good job.

 

Pumping your brakes creates less friction, and gives the rotors a chance to cool...


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I am haunted by waters


#5 ExplOregon

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Posted 11 May 2020 - 07:12 PM

Here is an earlier thread on brakes.

https://www.wanderth...-tundra-brakes/

 

Easier to find in your regular search engine by using "site:wanderthewest.com brake pads" without the quotes.

 

Paul

Thanks Paul. Appreciate the "teaching me to fish" approach.


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#6 smlobx

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Posted 11 May 2020 - 09:25 PM

I have been a long time fan of Hawk Brake pads on everything from my Porsche race car to my F-350 

 

The LTS pads are my favorite for pick up trucks.

Here’s the listing for your truck.

 

https://www.hawkperf...el=291621&note=


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#7 PJorgen

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Posted 11 May 2020 - 10:50 PM

I have been a long time fan of Hawk Brake pads on everything from my Porsche race car to my F-350 

 

The LTS pads are my favorite for pick up trucks.

Here’s the listing for your truck.

 

https://www.hawkperf...el=291621&note=

Wait, I was going to post almost the same thing, although I prefer Ferrodo pads for my Porsche. 
 

I use the Hawk LTS on my 2500HD with a Hawk camper, work great. I might try the Hawk Super Duty next time. 
 

Tell us more about your Porsche race car. 


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2014 Hawk, Silver Spur exterior on a 2012 GMC 2500HD 4x4.


#8 JHanson

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Posted 14 May 2020 - 12:21 AM

Please read the article on Overland Tech and Travel, here, for some solid background on aftermarket brakes. You can gain a lot with a simple change in pads and a brake fluid upgrade. You can also waste a lot of money on "upgrades" that aren't.

 

And I'd like to hear more about the Porsche race car too!


Edited by JHanson, 14 May 2020 - 12:32 AM.

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#9 Vic Harder

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Posted 14 May 2020 - 02:47 AM

Please read the article on Overland Tech and Travel, here, for some solid background on aftermarket brakes. You can gain a lot with a simple change in pads and a brake fluid upgrade. You can also waste a lot of money on "upgrades" that aren't.

 

Great article John!


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#10 JHanson

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Posted 14 May 2020 - 04:08 AM

Thank you Vic!


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