I keep coming across this warning about brake failure if you go more than 3% of the original tire diameter. One warning said you need to upgrade the abs system. Have any of you done this or have any problems with the brakes with bigger tires? Someone please school me on this.

 

you have a few hundred more pounds of rotating mass so theres where your problem is gonna be.. i cant stop worth **** right now!

i've never heard of a "failure" though

 

If you get bigger tires, you should (at least) buy better brake pads.
the ABS system will operate the same.

 

i have the most expensive ones i could get from autozone haha

im waiting for 3/4 ton axles.. stopping a ranger will be cake

 

Nice, can't wait to see that.

 

3% seems like a really low number.... from my 27's to 30's is more than 10% and i really didnt notice any lack of braking power. Ill be putting hawk pads on my next change though so itll make up for any problems

 

it all depends how fast i get my *** into gear and get a job

then i have to find a place in town that will do my steering setup

 

I've never heard of anyone having their brake system fail. I've had 35s for quite some time now and I didn't upgrade the brakes at all. Still stops fine.

 

ok
i lied
i have had them "fail" once on the 33s

but i was goin kinda fast, hot rodding it down a hill.... they overheated (scary ****)

but under normal driving conditions i have yet to have a problem..

 

It is recomended from a tire shop to upgrade brakes. If you have a escalade and you go from stock 16 or 17 inch wheels and you throw 24 inch wheels your brakes wont last long. If you kep the stock rim and throw ona bigger tire you may notice it takes more room to stop but your brakes wont fail.

 

my brakes r shot to ****...16k second set of rotors, havent touch the rears...they prolly need replacing, mine go right the floorboard at the moment...im runnin stock rims w 33 m/ts

 

ok so i was thinking about this. 2wd Rangers come with 225/70r15s (on average) and then the fx4 lvl 2 came with 31"s... thats a 13% difference between tire sizes and as far as i know Ford doesnt offer special brakes for the fx4s.

 

It's definitely hard on brakes.

There was a huge difference in my stopping power when I went to 35's. Much better now with the F-150 discs up front which have more piston area than the Ranger brakes did.

Better pads are a real good idea. Keep in mind that stopping a heavier truck with a greater rotating mass and the leverage of the bigger tires generates more heat. Brake fade is more likely than out-and-out brake failure.

However, if you've ever experienced terrible fade due to boiling the fluid, it's not fun. Pedal goes to the floor and you pump like mad trying to get some more braking power...scary. I think you can call that a failure.

Calipers with phenolic pistons do better with fade, but are more prone to "sticking" than steel pistons. If you use steel pistons, definitely do something with the pads and/or rotors to improve them.

I find it difficult to believe anyone put 35's on their truck and noticed no difference in braking. Might be a matter of how well they perceive it -- but for sure it's there.

 

who said that? they need this shoved up their ***. haha


i once was able to lock up my brakes..