3rd gen front breaks on 2nd gen

[Mopar1973Man]

I still kind of chuckle with these brake upgrades.

 

There is a trade off for gaining the braking power which in turn add cost to operation of the truck. 17" tires are typically more expensive than any 16" tire. Then the brake pads themselves aren't much different in price. Considering I'm closing in on 1/4 of million miles and only done 1 brake job so far and travel mountain road with grades that do exceed 16%. I even visit the big cities of Ontario Oregon, Boise Idaho and Lewiston Idaho. So it not like I never see stop and go traffic either. But I will say a exhaust brake is a better upgrade than 3rd Gen brakes IMHO...

[joecool911]

But you have manual transmission and exhaust brake. Us auto transmission drivers face different set of circumstances. I typically pop my transmission into neutral when braking hard. We rely on brakes all the time and limited shifting to slow and automatics don't generally have exhaust brakes without some kind of transmission modifications. Short search on 47re and exhaust brakes netted questionable results without significant transmission modifications. Tears em up. So back to 3rd gen brakes seem more feasible.

[Mopar1973Man]

Ok. So how am I doing on the 1996 Dodge Ram 1500? It's a 46RE automatic with 3.55 gears? Still go up and down the same roads with it too without eating brake pads up. Now you really got to think harder... When I bought that truck back in 2001 used I've never done a brake job yet. So that includes hauling trailers and firewood too with that truck.

 

[joecool911]

I've got a low stall torque converter too. Wish I didn't. It pushes you all the time. Even at idle it will go 15 mph on flat ground.

[joecool911]

Am I to understand that the calipers for 2nd and 3rd gen brakes are the same? I just rebuilt mine. Looks like I can convert for $170 for the front + wheels.

Are there any differences is master cylinders or hydraulic boost?

[Mopar1973Man]

From what I understand about the conversion you need... Rotors, wheels, tires, calipers, caliper mounts and the new pads. But I've never done one nor do I have a write up on it.