My 3rd gen brake swap - PICS - 56K BEWARE!
My 3rd gen brake swap - PICS - 56K BEWARE!
This was a very easy upgrade with amazing results. I was long overdue for a front brake job, but was pushing it since I knew I was replacing the rotors anyways.
Parts needed :
17" wheels or larger - Had H2 wheels.
3rd gen 03-08 Factory Caliper brackets
3rd gen Brake pads - I used HAWK
3rd gen Rotors - I used Brembo
I used a 2x6 piece of wood with 2 C clamps to compress the caliper pistons and evenly compressed them. I used a little grease on the pistons and boots (not much) and liberal grease on the caliber bolts. I used the included Hawk Grease on the caliper backing plates and piston faces.
The brackets bolt right on and use the same pad retaining clamps and wires.
I reused my calipers since they were in great shape.
I am including some pictures showing the difference in sizes of the parts and a few of this install.
The best part is taking them for the test drive afterwards and seating the pads to the rotors. HOLY CRAP I think the rear wheels came off the ground. I can now tailgate with confidence. I will bleed the brakes in a week or so.
Stock Brakes

Rotor comparison


Bracket comparison

Pad comparison

Caliper Before compressing

Installed new 3rd gen parts


Yeah they are big! 17" H2s and not much room.

Parts needed :
17" wheels or larger - Had H2 wheels.
3rd gen 03-08 Factory Caliper brackets
3rd gen Brake pads - I used HAWK
3rd gen Rotors - I used Brembo
I used a 2x6 piece of wood with 2 C clamps to compress the caliper pistons and evenly compressed them. I used a little grease on the pistons and boots (not much) and liberal grease on the caliber bolts. I used the included Hawk Grease on the caliper backing plates and piston faces.
The brackets bolt right on and use the same pad retaining clamps and wires.
I reused my calipers since they were in great shape.
I am including some pictures showing the difference in sizes of the parts and a few of this install.
The best part is taking them for the test drive afterwards and seating the pads to the rotors. HOLY CRAP I think the rear wheels came off the ground. I can now tailgate with confidence. I will bleed the brakes in a week or so.
Stock Brakes

Rotor comparison


Bracket comparison

Pad comparison

Caliper Before compressing

Installed new 3rd gen parts


Yeah they are big! 17" H2s and not much room.

Nice write up, rotors are visually larger! When my current brakes go out, eventually....I hardly drive my truck
I might go to the trouble and try to convert my 99 to the newer brakes, I know it takes more. Glad it went well for you.
I might go to the trouble and try to convert my 99 to the newer brakes, I know it takes more. Glad it went well for you.
If that is grease you put on the back of the brake pad that would be a no no, it will melt and fall off on the rotors. other than that it looks like what I did I only wished I had taken pics, I'll book mark your post for future reference for other posters.
BTW nice H2 rims...are they a bolt on? or is machining required?
BTW nice H2 rims...are they a bolt on? or is machining required?
If that is grease you put on the back of the brake pad that would be a no no, it will melt and fall off on the rotors. other than that it looks like what I did I only wished I had taken pics, I'll book mark your post for future reference for other posters.
BTW nice H2 rims...are they a bolt on? or is machining required?
BTW nice H2 rims...are they a bolt on? or is machining required?
What years does this work on.
The Brakes would be my biggest the thing I hate most about my truck.
Also did you have to do anything to the rear to keep everything work correctly.
As in the bias from front to rear?
The Brakes would be my biggest the thing I hate most about my truck.
Also did you have to do anything to the rear to keep everything work correctly.
As in the bias from front to rear?
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It works on 2000-2002 that have the slip off rotors.
Nothing is needed in the rears to do this swap, this is for the front only. Bias is fine, it brakes like it should have new. Feels like a car instead of a truck while braking at slow to moderate stops. If you really get on the brakes it feels like a sports car braking.
Nothing is needed in the rears to do this swap, this is for the front only. Bias is fine, it brakes like it should have new. Feels like a car instead of a truck while braking at slow to moderate stops. If you really get on the brakes it feels like a sports car braking.
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...s-t237903.html
properly adjusted rearswill help alot! I installed the GM wheel cyl, some folks report that it causes rear wheel lock up, mine did not and it drastically improved braking and lengthening front pad life


