Most custom truck enthusiasts tend to exert more interest and money under their truck's hood rather than behind their truck's wheels. Sure, we can create all kinds of power, torque, and speed, but just as important as going fast is being able to harness that energy and decelerate the grunt. Factory size brakes are engineered to stop factory size wheels and tires. Your factory binders quickly become overworked once you've added new wheels and tires, which causes the brake pads and rotors to overheat. Extreme brake temperatures will cause brake fade and excessive wear, including warping. When it comes to upgrading your brakes, besides fluid pressure, it's easy to remember that bigger is better. Increasing the size of the brake caliper, rotors and pad contact area will create an improved sweeping action and better bite along with better clamping pressure. Vented and drilled rotors allow the heated gases to dissipate from the rotors faster and the ball-milled surfaces clean the brake pads from dust and debris during rotation. Knowing all of this will help you understand why upgrading your bakes will make an incredible difference in your custom truck's braking performance.
| 2009 Dodge Ram Brake Upgrades baer Brakes
We spent a couple of days with Todd Gartshore at the Baer Brake facility in Phoenix, Arizona, and after a detailed tour of the new Baer facility, we loaded up the Baer braking data acquisition equipment into our '09 Dodge Ram, nicknamed Project Black Sheep, to gather some OEM factory brake performance numbers.
To gather the stock braking information, we drove out to a secluded area to perform 110-0mph braking distances. By doing continuous braking stops without time to cool the brakes, it increased the brake fade and after six rapid brake segments, the OEM brakes were almost sending the brake pedal to the floor. When the brakes were applied during the final panic stop, there was no sensation of braking. The OEM brakes faded so much that the Dodge Ram coasted to a stop. After climbing out of the cab and observing the brakes smoking, we thought they were going to ignite.
Our '09 Dodge Ram, with its large 26x10-inch MHT Illusion five-spoke wheels wrapped with Nitto 305/30R26 rubber, was in need of upgraded brakes. Baer Brakes would answer that call with its one-piece forged-aluminum Baer Extreme Plus 6S six-piston MonoBlock calipers and 15-inch two-piece rotors. Follow along as Baer Brake installation technician Dutch Miller disassembles the '09 Dodge Ram factory front brakes and installs the new Baer Brake Extreme Plus 6S calipers, Decela pads, and two-piece 15-inch rotors. Then, Todd Gartshore performed braking distance tests using the Stalker ATS radar gun and Delta acquisition recording system. The results may just inspire you to upgrade your factory brakes.
HIGHS
Incredible stopping power, easy to install, looks awesome
LOWS
Expensive, excessive brake dust, squealing when moderate pedal pressure applied
FROM THE DRIVER SEAT
It is amazing how much of an improvement can be accomplished when a larger brake upgrade is installed. With the Baer brakes bolted on, a more aggressive and firmer brake pedal was instantly noticed. The before and after 60-0mph brake test showed the factory brakes averaged a stopping distance of 165 feet and after the Baer brakes were installed, the average shrunk to 133 feet. Once 100 mph was achieved and the factory brakes were applied, the Ram stopped in 408 feet, whereas the Baer brakes stopped the Dodge in 326 feet. That's more than 80 feet shorter! The new Baer Extreme Plus 6S front brake system took the Ram to the next level of braking performance.
| The installation of the Baer Brake Extreme Plus 6S front brake system was a great improvement and brought our 5,700-pound truck to a quick and safe halt.
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Time Spent Working: 3 Hours
Degree Of Difficulty: Moderate level of difficulty due to the safety issues involved in brake components
Tools Needed:
9/16-inch 12-point socket, 9/16-inch socket, 11mm combo wrench
Parts Used:
Baer Extreme Plus 6S front brake kit
Total: $3,295.00
