bigmack2500

have trouble with brake pads in the front of my 2001 2500 4x4. It seems that I am always changing brake pads. Also have trouble stopping with trailer loaded with three four wheelers. Maybe I need to upgrade calipers and rotors, anybody know any good upgrade kits?

Copenhagenjunkie

Do you have rear disc's too? If you do I can't help BUT If you have drums then they are probably out of adjustment. You can switch to larger wheel cylinders from a chevy 1 ton, they make a big difference. Keeping the adjuster well lubed also helps.

J BODY

If he had rear discs we wouldn't be having this discussion. Years ago while waiting for that "perfect" truck to come along that was way high on my list of "must have". I passed on a few nice rides that had the rear drums.

bigmack2500

yes I have rear drum, I have replaced the shoes a couple of times the are properly adjusted too. I don't know what dodge was thinking when they put rear drum on a 10,ooo lbs truck that would be pulling a trailer at times. what would be the best route, rear disc conversion or upgrading the front disc?

Copenhagenjunkie

J- Body- I couldn't remember if rear disc's came out in 01 or 02. Just trying to get some facts as they weren't mentioned.

I was going thru front pads too pulling heavy loads until I put on the chevy wheel cylinders and started hand adjusting the rears every 5k. My truck still has the original rear shoes that came on the truck when I bought it w/ 64K miles and they are finally getting close to needing changed. 1 yr I went thru 5sets of front pads. I have had to put on new calibers and rotors.

If you do the wheel cylinder upgrade, I think it's listed in the tech facts and hand adjust that will help alot. Those 2 things will cost alot less than a conversion. I know your truck can't weigh any more than mine (9,780 @ cat scale) and it stops great now. Check out my home made overbuilt flatbed .

infidel

First thing to do is upgrade to 30mm rear cylinders, part number 37337 will work at any autoparts. They are about $13 each and a direct bolt in that takes about an hour of your time.
I can almost guarantee your problem will be solved. If they don't you're not out much.

San Felipe Bob

Yes the the chevy 1 ton rear brake cylinders are a big help.
Also remember to keep those front caliper pins well lubed.
It doesn't take much for the pins to get sticky.
After the pins get sticky the calipers start dragging and wearing very fast as well as not stopping very well.

I also flushed and re-bled my brake fluid.
That helped alot!
If your brake fluid looks like used motor oil. You'll notice better braking power and feel with a good flush job.

SFB


Oh yeah.
I used to lube my front caliper pins every 1500 miles!
And I live in sunny southern California!
You guys that drive on salty roads must destroy the pins really fast.

bigmack2500

so u can go to an auto parts store to get the bigger cylinders

infidel

Yes. Just use the 37337 number, don't tell them what they're for, it will only confuse them.

Geico266

Replacing the rear cylinders is the way to go.

J BODY

that was just a "hip shot" guess, but I figured he didn't have the rear discs. I remember quite well when the first 01.5's hit the lot. The brakes were soooooooo much better. My wife even noticed that over our 94 and 95 trucks we owned.

bigmack2500

Thanks for the help! I let yall know results.

cumminspower79

I bought my truck two years ago at a used truck lot, it had 46000 miles now it has 73000. Still running the same pads up front, checked a couple of weeks ago and they are still only half gone!! Dont know what kind of pads these are but im going to try to put the same ones on. I do have rear discs, I guess this really helps. I always thought 3/4 ton dodges were known for their poor brake life, I kept thinking to myself when I just checked them. " not this dodge!"