Aftermarket upgraded brakes?

[dano42]

Has anyone put upgraded rotors and pads on their truck? When I went into the mountains a while back, I noticed coming down that I had a lot of pulsing near the bottom of the hill; around town, not really much. It’s a ‘21 Tremor and has 36,000 miles on it with the original rims and tires but I’m wondering if an upgraded set of rotors and pads would help in the mountains.

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[Joeiconic]

You shouldn’t need brakes at 36,000. Isn’t the pulsing just the anti-lock brakes doing their job on the steeper grades?

 

[dano42]

The brakes are fine, still lots of wear, but the pulsing I get on a long decline doesn’t seem right; the further down the hill, the worse it gets. I’m not driving real fast down the hill either. It feels like they are warped but I guess that is what they are supposed to do; I don’t normally go down long canyons like that, and around town it’s very faint.

 

[Dereku]

Are you riding the brakes downhill to maintain speed? Pulsing would be expected then as they will really heat up. Quick stabs to slow down is the safest bet, engine braking is preferred for steep grades. I have had mine on I40 into flagstaff, plus out east at the gorge in TN and on the grapevine. Always use tow haul mode going down and hardly touch the brakes.

If you don’t ride the brakes ignore my whole post.

 

[Colo_Ranger]

I have Wilwood front and R1 rear. They're fantastic.

Pulsing brakes could be warped rotors. If that is the case, you rode the brakes way too hard, for way too long. Do you have trailer mode? If so, use that and the truck will keep the revs up and engine brake for you. You will still need the brakes but you won't need them nearly as much.

If you don't have tow mode, use sport mode and manually choose your gear so the revs stay up.

 

[fob63]

I used this manufacture on my previous F-150.
I sold the truck after a few months and got the Ranger.
Anyone else used these?
PowerStop Front & Rear Brake Kit For Ford Ranger 2019-23 - Truck & Tow

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

The pulsing could be caused by a lot of different things:

• Pad material build-up on rotors
• Rotors worn too thin
• Sticking calliper slide pin
• Sticking pad tab
• Sticking piston

Often, it’s a build-up of pad material or overheated rotors. Actual warping of the steel rotor is rare but build-up of brake pad material gets baked on/fused to the rotor and causes the rotor surface to be uneven, with high and low spots - brakes are going to pulse. Because the surface has been made “uneven”, I think the term “warped” is thrown out there.

So many reports of rear brakes wearing out quicker on our Rangers (mine included). Maybe traction control and/or ACC play a role. Maybe there’s something weird about that goofy screw-in piston on the rears.

Installing new rotors (drilled and slotted might be cooler) and pads should cure things. Make sure to inspect, clean and lightly grease calliper slide pins. Replace the stainless hardware for the channels the pad tabs slide in, and install new retention spring clips. This hardware should come with your pads. If not, find a better brand. Inspect the piston for scoring.

Sometimes, the hardware looks fine but change it out regardless. If someone else is doing the work, make sure they do it - simply tell them you want all the old hardware/pads, clips/parts so you inspect them to understand more about how they wear.

 

[lariat]

Has anyone put upgraded rotors and pads on their truck? When I went into the mountains a while back, I noticed coming down that I had a lot of pulsing near the bottom of the hill; around town, not really much. It’s a ‘21 Tremor and has 36,000 miles on it with the original rims and tires but I’m wondering if an upgraded set of rotors and pads would help in the mountains.

Not many here into aftermarket brakes, but there are some threads on the topic. PowerStop Front & Rear Brake Kit For Ford Ranger and Willwood have been talked about and a few have made the upgrade and all seem to give them a two big thumbs up. I've been wanting Willwood's for a while and maybe will eventually jump that bridge. As the other posted mentioned in this thread, his Willwood's are serving him well. IMO, anything other than OEM is better on the Ranger.

There's some lower cost options with solid results and higher costs options, also with solid results.

 

[underwhelmed]

I just ordered the power stop z36 towing fr/rear kit. Should get here midweek. Screwing with the calipers is beyond my skill level so I’ll have to find a shop to do install. I’ll give a report after the first significant mountain drive.

 

[dano42]

I just ordered the power stop z36 towing fr/rear kit. Should get here midweek. Screwing with the calipers is beyond my skill level so I’ll have to find a shop to do install. I’ll give a report after the first significant mountain drive.

Very interested in how they work- let us know!

 

[lariat]

Very interested in how they work- let us know!

x2, but I think they will be a nice improvement.

 

[PltFX4]

Not many here into aftermarket brakes, but there are some threads on the topic. PowerStop Front & Rear Brake Kit For Ford Ranger and Willwood have been talked about and a few have made the upgrade and all seem to give them a two big thumbs up. I've been wanting Willwood's for a while and maybe will eventually jump that bridge. As the other posted mentioned in this thread, his Willwood's are serving him well. IMO, anything other than OEM is better on the Ranger.

There's some lower cost options with solid results and higher costs options, also with solid results.

True... but a couple have... including myself... Pedder BBK has worked great...
https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/pedders-big-brake-kit-installed.9460/post-623143

 

[Willier]

I put R-1 Concept brakes on all 4 corners..

 

[jflogerzi]

if and when it's time just go oem. never complained about the breaks other than the crappy long travel of the pedal. This truck has great oem breaks even when towing my race car up and down grades and no trailer brakes.. but I go 55-65 max when towing

 

[underwhelmed]

if and when it's time just go oem. never complained about the breaks other than the crappy long travel of the pedal. This truck has great oem breaks even when towing my race car up and down grades and no trailer brakes.. but I go 55-65 max when towing

Your experience has been significantly better than mine

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