Wilwood Big Brake Kit? Anyone run it?

[awd.nv]

Hello,

I have been looking at brake kits as I am sure my brakes will be due soon and figure why not go with bigger brakes. Has anyone run the Wilwood kit on their Ranger?

My Ranger happens to be a Tremor. I tow a bit too but honestly, the upgrade is not necessary, this is just for the fun of it. I just want to know how the brakes feel after the install and if it was truly bolt on or if any issues were discovered during install. I have the stock Tremor wheels with 1" wheel spacer so clearance shouldn't be an issue.

If you have another big brake kit, happy to hear your experience as well.

Link to the Wilwood kit, seen it as low as $1600 if not mistaken
https://www.wilwood.com/BrakeKits/B...R&year=2021&make=Ford&model=Ranger&option=XLT

Thanks!

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[Grumpaw]

I'm following this....seems like a good upgrade for those of us who tow large/heavy trailers. Extra braking always a welcome addition.

 

[StarLord]

No big brake kit on my truck, but have done many on cars. One thing I do usually before upgrading the entire caliper/rotor is just install some better pads, stainless lines and upgrade the fluid. Usually makes quite a noticeable improvement for half the cost.

 

[Grumpaw]

No big brake kit on my truck, but have done many on cars. One thing I do usually before upgrading the entire caliper/rotor is just install some better pads, stainless lines and upgrade the fluid. Usually makes quite a noticeable improvement for half the cost.

Agree, but coming down a long grade, with a 7000 lb trailer behind you, those big 6 piston calipers would be great to have !!!
And since your already half the way there price wise...what the heck !!!

 

[21Blackout]

At 1600 for a total of .5" in leverage over factory rotors, I'll stick with upgraded pads just my $0.02 and I'm towing 6300lbs 40miles every weekend.

 

[MountainGoat]

At 1600 for a total of .5" in leverage over factory rotors, I'll stick with upgraded pads just my $0.02 and I'm towing 6300lbs 40miles every weekend.

Off topic but will those IBC totes fit in the bed? I got some measurements which says they will but looking at your pic it doesn't look like it. Looking to pic up a couple 275s...one at a time and obviously it would be empty.

 

[1pt21gw]

I did Powerstop w/ Tow https://www.powerstop.com/product/power-stop-z36-brake-kit/#y=2020&mk=FORD&mo=RANGER

If you have a mushy pedal, bleed and purge the brake system.

- btw most of the lines under the truck are SS lines covered, the rest is prebent lines.

 

[awd.nv]

I'm following this....seems like a good upgrade for those of us who tow large/heavy trailers. Extra braking always a welcome addition.

Yeah I feel the same way, I have had the truck long enough now to know I love it so I am ok investing into it too. Looks like an easy install but every mod I have ever done, seems like only half the time they go as planned. Adding payload and trailer weight, I am probably around 5000lbs, it makes for some peace of mind.

No big brake kit on my truck, but have done many on cars. One thing I do usually before upgrading the entire caliper/rotor is just install some better pads, stainless lines and upgrade the fluid. Usually makes quit a noticeable improvement for half the cost.

I agree, pads and rotors are always helpful. That was my original intention then I started seeing all these new kits since the last time I checked. $2700-3000 for front brakes alone is a little steep but the $1600 or so for the Wilwood seems very reasonable.

At 1600 for a total of .5" in leverage over factory rotors, I'll stick with upgraded pads just my $0.02 and I'm towing 6300lbs 40miles every weekend.

Braking power is not just rotor diameter. These big calipers offer more clamping force and better heat dissipation....plus, I am not gonna lie, they look cool. In my younger years I always wanted a big brake kit. Now I can easily afford it so why not. I am just trying to make sure the install goes as planned so the truck is not down days waiting for parts (hoses in particular).

I did Powerstop w/ Tow https://www.powerstop.com/product/power-stop-z36-brake-kit/#y=2020&mk=FORD&mo=RANGER

If you have a mushy pedal, bleed and purge the brake system.

- btw most of the lines under the truck are SS lines covered, the rest is prebent lines.

So the OEM brake lines are SS but coated? That is good to know.

Pedal has been okay for me. When the truck was new I had to get used to the softer pedal than our other vehicle but stopping power has not really been an issue. This is more of a luxury spend I guess you can say.

Nothing against pads and rotors, that was my original plan but the Wilwood front kit is attainable and I always loved seeing big brakes on cars, rarely ever seem them on trucks. I am probably going to do the Powerstop rear kit though since NO ONE makes a rear kit for the USA Ranger. Powerbrake has one but said their Ranger is different in the rear than our USA one. Wilwood did say they may in the future, checking interest or something like that.

I see you put a lot into your suspension, any reason why you wouldn't have some fun and go big brake? Half of my reasoning as mentioned is because I always loved the look of them on sports cars. I used to be a Benz tech in my 20's when the AMG line started getting the big Brembo brakes, drool worthy.

 

[OGMix376]

Watching this one, thinking about just doing pads and rotors all around.
Like it’s been mentioned big brake kits definitely have that oooo aaahhhh ?

 

[RangerBear]

Also curious about the Wilwood kit...

 

[shovelhd]

I did Powerstop w/ Tow https://www.powerstop.com/product/power-stop-z36-brake-kit/#y=2020&mk=FORD&mo=RANGER

If you have a mushy pedal, bleed and purge the brake system.

- btw most of the lines under the truck are SS lines covered, the rest is prebent lines.

I have PowerStop rotors and CF pads on my VW GTI. They are the same size as stock, but significantly better, and no brake dust. When it's time, these will go on my truck.

 

[Colo_Ranger]

No big brake kit on my truck, but have done many on cars. One thing I do usually before upgrading the entire caliper/rotor is just install some better pads, stainless lines and upgrade the fluid. Usually makes quite a noticeable improvement for half the cost.

If you find a set of SS brake lines for our truck, let me know. I ordered a set of ROW SS lines and they do not work.

 

[OGMix376]

If you find a set of SS brake lines for our truck, let me know. I ordered a set of ROW SS lines and they do not work.

I’m 1pt2gw’s post he mentions that the brake likes are SS but coated lines and the rest is hardline. Unless you want exposed SS might save you money I think since they seem to be SS already, I haven’t checked myself just noticed it was previously mentioned. Exposed stainless steel braided lines do look nice for sure tho.

 

[awd.nv]

Just gonna give an update, brakes are on pause since OEM are still ok. Had to do tires recently (went k03) and along with a few unexpected expenses, gonna pause on the brake upgrade for the moment. I am thinking come Jan 2025 I will be due for brakes so hopefully by then I can make the upgrade or I may just do Powerstop pads and rotors.

 

[lariat]

Hello,

I have been looking at brake kits as I am sure my brakes will be due soon and figure why not go with bigger brakes. Has anyone run the Wilwood kit on their Ranger?

My Ranger happens to be a Tremor. I tow a bit too but honestly, the upgrade is not necessary, this is just for the fun of it. I just want to know how the brakes feel after the install and if it was truly bolt on or if any issues were discovered during install. I have the stock Tremor wheels with 1" wheel spacer so clearance shouldn't be an issue.

If you have another big brake kit, happy to hear your experience as well.

Link to the Wilwood kit, seen it as low as $1600 if not mistaken
https://www.wilwood.com/BrakeKits/B...R&year=2021&make=Ford&model=Ranger&option=XLT

Thanks!

I've also been looking at this for a while. Cost isn't a concern, but I haven't found anyone that has ever installed this kit.

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