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phatdak02
Dodge Dakota
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12/27/2004
18:59:53

Subject: NEED BRAKE UPGRADE BAD !!
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First things first, I have a 2002 Club Cab w/ discs and drums.
I have gone through brakes like crazy. Before someone says "ease up on the pedal", I am a volunteer firefighter and emt, and use the truck to respond to calls. So it has been known to go from 100 to 0 in 200 feet or so. I was thinking slotted discs w/ good pads, but I don't know if that would be enough. Also heard that the rear disc conversion wouldn't help all that much. I would love 4 or 6 piston calipers, but no one makes a kit and I'm really not sure I could fab a set to fit with my stock wheel size (16")
Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.



.boB
Dodge Dakota
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12/27/2004
22:54:03

RE: NEED BRAKE UPGRADE BAD !!
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It's really a question of money; how much do you want to spend? I would start with a quality pad and solid rotor.

I know, I know, we're now going to hear from the Drilled and Slotted Crowd. Before spending money on a rotor, go to the web sites of the companies that make them, and see what they say about them. If you think you can get a racing rotor for less than $100 I'v got some ocean front property in AZ for sale.

Anyway, start with a quality slotted rotor and a good pad. I've used carbon fiber pads from AutoZone on stock rotors with a good improvement. There are some excellent high performance pads available from a variety of sources - you get what you pay for here.

If you have the big bux and want the absolute best, there's a kit out there to adapt Viper wheels, tires, and brakes to the Dakota.



BlkDakDave
GenIII
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12/27/2004
22:57:13

RE: NEED BRAKE UPGRADE BAD !!
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100 mph! Are you nuts? What good are you going to be when you can’t make it to the call because you have crashed? Either going off the road or smacking into some innocent citizen. Don’t become a part of the problem get there to help with the situation. Do you realize that apparatus or vehicle wrecks are rated second in the deaths of firefighters? Do you know that 10 mph over the posted speed is the limit even when responding in a fire truck or ambulance. Have you taken into consideration that you are representing your department when you’re driving like a mad man. Do all volunteers a favor. SLOW down before you end up killing yourself or some one else while responding to a grass fire. Don’t go by the old fire ground priorities of RESCUE, FIIRE CONTROL and PROPERTY CONSERVATION. Go by the new ones, YOUR AND YOUR CREWS SAFETY, THE POOR PERSON WHO’S IN THE SITUATION, (RESCUE) and so on. My rant is justified when you keep up with the numbers that are killed or injured by firefighters responding to calls.

NEVER FORGET!

Figols
Dodge Dakota
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12/28/2004
09:57:57

RE: NEED BRAKE UPGRADE BAD !!
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Last I knew phatdak02, at least in NY(I work for the state legislature), being a volunteer firefighter or emt doesn't give you a license to break ANY motor vehicle laws. The laws are very clear that you can not go over the posted speed limit or pass through red lights. Also the flashing blue light on your roof does not mean that everyone in front of you has to get out of your way. I think some volunteers(not necessarily you)like to play "police officer" and drive their vehicles as if they are Starsky and Hutch! But I digress.....

As for your brake woes, I think an upgrade to better pads and rotors along with a good set of brake shoes should help you out. Make sure your rear brakes are MANUALLY adjusted properly. You can always upgrade to rear discs or to bigger QC 11" rear drums. I think the CC models came with 9" drums so the 11" upgrade should help. Also, I've read on these boards about upgrading to '03 front and rear brakes which are bigger and better(or so I'm told). Bottom line though is these are trucks and weren't meant to go 100MPH to begin with let alone stop in 200 ft from that speed.



Big Ed
Dodge Dakota
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12/28/2004
11:11:05

RE: NEED BRAKE UPGRADE BAD !!
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Sounds like you got spanked phatdak02!!!



phatdak02
Dodge Dakota
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12/28/2004
14:57:43

RE: NEED BRAKE UPGRADE BAD !!
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OK, I'll admit, that was an exaggeration. BUT, when that call came in a couple months ago with an entrapped child and working fire, 100 mph wasn't near fast enough to save her life. (And I'm talking about a stretch of empty interstate, not middle of town) But in the past six months, we've had a half dozen stucture fires, about as many serious wrecks, numerous heart attacks, and a psycho on a shooting rampage. Not trying to defend my law breaking/disregard for safety, but you sound like a firefighter, and you know that once in a while that time comes where seconds can mean the difference. I'm just saying, it's taking a toll on my brakes and I need better stopping power should that occasion arise.



BlkDakDave
GenIII
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12/28/2004
22:57:28

RE: NEED BRAKE UPGRADE BAD !!
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Yes, working incidents can and do get the best of us. The trick is to control your adrenaline and not let your adrenaline control you.

As for brakes, last June I put a set of Raybestos Super Stop Severe Duty rotors and Super Stop pads on my truck. I am very happy with them. Just this month I put close to 3,000 miles hauling a trailer with camping gear and two dirtbikes. Today, I washed my truck for the first time since beginning my vacation and there was very little, to almost no brake dust. Check out the rotors and where I purchased them from at the two links attached. Also,as FIGOLS noted, manually adjust your rear brakes each time you change your oil (suggested on this forum a while back)
www.raybestos.com/usa/products.htm
www.rockauto.com


NEVER FORGET!

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