My truck has 55k miles on it and the brakes just aren't performing as well as they were 30k miles ago. So I've got 2 options... upgrade or repair...

MY question being should I just replace the braking system, to be replaced again around 100-120k miles or should I upgrade the braking system so it will last alot longer?

I will have a little money to buy say pads this paycheck, truck payment the next paycheck, then rotors/drums...etc, etc. I was thinking about Autozone's top model rotors/drums (or O'Reilly's), and maybe Hawk pads and shoes, with some stainless hoses... I'll post prices when I call/find them.

So what do you think?

 

i would just repair yours back to stock.....about 40k miles is max you should get good performance out of stock pads.....$40 will buy new pads from your dealer...

 

But that's not what I want to hear...haha!

 

The stainless lines should make a difference from what I have head. They don't expand under pressure like the stock lines so the pedal is much firmer.

 

Yeah, where the heck do I find them? I can't find any for a 03 ranger much less a stock one.

 

ask zabeard....he just put them on his truck...i think they were for a mustang...

 

Yeah, I just questioned him in his post, but I'm gonna send him an email and pm

 

mine are dot certified stainless steel brake lines. cost was 111.56 for the front. pedal is pretty firm now.

 

i can read, dur. where'd you get em???

 

local brake manufacturing shop. i can have more made if u like.

 

I bought my stainless/braided lines from www.frozenrotors.com I also use there slotted cyro-treated rotors and hawk pads. There rotors/pads perform flawlessly. I did get the stainless/braided braklines for the front/rear and flushed all the brake fluid out with the valvoline syntech dot 4 fluid and noticed a minimal differance. However I cannot say for sure if the differance was from the new lines or better quality fluid, being that I did both at the same time.

 

I'm checking out that site now....

is there any way for me to know if I have 9" or 10" rear drums, short of me taking them off and measuring?

 

The best way to be sure is to measure. They changed so often, thats the only way to be sure.

 

And I have to take the drum off and measure from the inside, right?

Sorry, I'm don't mean to hijack this thread

 

i think if you have the 7.5 you have 9" but im not sure.

 

I have the 7.5 and have 10". Take a drum off and measure to be sure.

 

I measured the outside diameter of mine and they were about 11.5" outside diameter.

Zach, that would be cool, but I'd need some money first, just the specs would be good!

If I'm supposed to use DOT3 fluid, can I use DOT4 or do I have to use DOT3?

Also, what is a good "autoparts store" brand for brake rotors, I can't possibly put out 250 bucks for rotors right now.

Thanks guys!

 

I did the same thing and then was told that you have to take off the drum and measure it from the inside.

 

Well, guess I'll be doing that Thursday...

 

you dont have to get rotors unless they are grooved. just have them turned before new pads.

 

I think one is warped...jumps around a little.

 

they can even take out the warp. if you have no grooves take it in that will save you big bucks.

 

beard what does those break lines cost for a set? are they extended?

 

111.56...lol.

 

geeze i remember seeing that now! lol.....