4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/Brakes

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Expert: - 5/11/2005


Question
I have a k1500 x-cab 4X4 that I use in the woods
a lot. I was told that it made a lot of difference whst brand of brake pads I used. I was told by a Dealer. Is this a true statement?


Answer
Prentiss,

There are many different types of brake pads.  The major difference, is the material that they are made out of.  I would stay away from the pads that have a lifetime guarantee.  The main reason for this is that they are, usually made out of a very hard material, and instead of the pad wearing out, the rotor will wear, and it's cheaper to replace just the pads, and not the rotor.  Some companies are making brake pads out of a composite, or kevlar type material.  These are more expensive than the stock pads, but they wear better, and run cooler which helps the rotors wear longer.  They were, originally designed for race cars.

The short answer, is yes there is a difference in brake pads.

Carl  

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

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Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

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