Upgrade 2nd Gen brakes to 3rd Gen?
06-22-2006, 01:45 PM
#1
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Upgrade 2nd Gen brakes to 3rd Gen?
Is it possible to upgrade 2nd Gen 2WD 2500 front brakes to the larger 3500 3rd Gen rotors and calipers? Yea, yea...I seached. 
06-23-2006, 02:40 PM
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I think the biggest problem will the axles themselves.
The 3rd Gen's use American Axle diffs where the 2nd Gens run Dana stuff. This means that you just can't "bolt on" the brake assemblies from a 3rd Gen.
Your looking at some bracketry fabrication to make it all happen. The bigger brake size shouldn't come into play, you just run 17 inch wheels.
I would just look for an aftermarket setup for the 2nd Gen.
Jeff
The 3rd Gen's use American Axle diffs where the 2nd Gens run Dana stuff. This means that you just can't "bolt on" the brake assemblies from a 3rd Gen.
Your looking at some bracketry fabrication to make it all happen. The bigger brake size shouldn't come into play, you just run 17 inch wheels.
I would just look for an aftermarket setup for the 2nd Gen.
Jeff
06-23-2006, 02:42 PM
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Guess I should have read the original post a little closer.
2wd, I don't know, but I'm sure Mother Chrysler did something to screw things up and make it difficult.
I'll go back to the corner and learn to read again.
Jeff
2wd, I don't know, but I'm sure Mother Chrysler did something to screw things up and make it difficult.
I'll go back to the corner and learn to read again.
Jeff
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06-25-2006, 06:37 AM
#8
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Homestead, no problems. How about this then...are there any differences in the 3rd gen front brakes? I'm thinking about hitting the salvage yards and comparing the 2nd and 3rd steering knuckles to each other, side by side. That should help.
06-26-2006, 11:47 AM
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Originally Posted by gator_grabber
Homestead, no problems. How about this then...are there any differences in the 3rd gen front brakes? I'm thinking about hitting the salvage yards and comparing the 2nd and 3rd steering knuckles to each other, side by side. That should help.
Id like to know, Id swap mine for 3rd gens in a heartbeat...
06-26-2006, 08:13 PM
#10
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The first thing you can do is compare the calipers, and wheel bearings, in an auto parts store. That's what I did when I was looking to upgrade my 99 brakes to 2000, dual piston calipers. They sure don't mount the same, and with my 4x4, I found they changed the knuckle and ball joint configuration between 99 and 2000.
Anyway, you could get wheel bearings for yours and a 3rd gen, and see if they are the same or not, which will get you started. The knuckles may or may not be the same.
Chris
Anyway, you could get wheel bearings for yours and a 3rd gen, and see if they are the same or not, which will get you started. The knuckles may or may not be the same.
Chris
06-26-2006, 09:05 PM
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Being that I have 2WD, I'm actually looking at the possibility of a complete spindle swap; that would wrap everything into one, neat package. Want to bet Dodge did something that's going to sink this otherwise great plan? 
06-26-2006, 10:24 PM
#12
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Well heck, you just have to find a 2wd 3rd gen 2500 someplace and peer under it, with your truck parked next to it. You might just stop at a dealer and have a look. You should be able to get enough idea to decide if it's worth researching any more. I know where you're coming from. I did the same thing with my 99, except to a 2000-2002.
Chris
Chris
06-27-2006, 08:49 AM
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Originally Posted by gator_grabber
Being that I have 2WD, I'm actually looking at the possibility of a complete spindle swap; that would wrap everything into one, neat package. Want to bet Dodge did something that's going to sink this otherwise great plan?
Im betting on the fact that no one has done it before either....
Im sure it can be done, but might not be as easy as swapping stuff over, itll probably take some fabrication....
Are there any alternatives for front brakes?(To 2/4 piston calipers, and or larger rotors)
06-27-2006, 08:01 PM
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Ive been thru this drill on a 1500 4x4. They put these puny rotors and single piston calipers on a 6000 lb truck and expect it to stop.....I wanted to go up to 2000 stuff. Larger rotors and calipers. The knuckles have to be changed and of course all the other hardware. It wasnt worth it. A good set of Brembo crossdrilled rotors was recomended. I guess it beats replacing warped rotors every year with a resurface in the middle. My 2500 4x4 stops great with stock stuff...but I dont have to ask " wheres the beef ?"
