So you say that thanks to those gigantic wheels and tires you mounted up, your Ford Power Stroke stops in a less-than-reassuring way? And that's when the truck is unloaded, let alone packed with toys? Well, there is more than one reason for that, but there is no reason to just let it be-not when companies such as Brake Pros are producing killer aftermarket binders that take braking prowess to a whole new level.
| brake Pros Precision Braking System PDC Motorsports
Brake Pros is a subsidiary of Stillen, and if there is a guy who knows the importance of good brakes, it is founder Steve Millen. As a champion in both on- and off-road racing, Millen is in an enviable position to know exactly how a braking system should work, whatever the surface is. So it should come as some comfort that a guy with this much experience is behind a venture such as Brake Pros.
The Brake Pros system consists of 15-inch drilled and slotted rotors, which are clamped with six-piston AP Racing calipers. The two-piece rotors' slots and vanes keep the rotors cool and provide an aggressive bite on the pads. The calipers feature lightweight yet rigid aluminum alloy construction and come in black and the newly offered red. Because of their size, the calipers hold larger-than-stock pads and top-load for quick replacement. AP Racing has a long history of competition wins ranging from F1 to rally racing, so the company has the chops when it comes to hauling vehicles down from speed.
Normally, this kit comes with new brake lines, but because this truck had been raised significantly, the supplied lines were just a little short. We obtained a set of braided-steel units from TMR of Orange, California, where you can have a set made to your specifications-and fast.
Speaking of fast, we were on hand as the crew at PDC Motorsports in Brea, California, mounted up the set of new Brake Pros brakes to the front end of this Ford Power Stroke. Jay Parodi, owner of PDC, has plenty of experience in this type of job and had the kit mounted up in just a couple of hours, but you at home should also be able to get them on quickly. Installing a set of disc brakes is not exactly brain surgery, but there are a few things that need to be addressed for a smooth install.
Brake Pros sends out fairly complete instructions with the system, so installing them is not hard. Of course, properly bleeding the brakes is a must, so if you feel this is a job for a professional shop, then by all means let one do it. Also, know that the rotors are coated at the factory to keep the parts clean and rust free during shipping, so there is a short break-in period where the brakes will feel like they don't stop worth a darn. The easiest way to rub off this coating is to hit the brake pedal hard 5-10 times while going slowly down the street. Don't wait until you get to a stop sign to find that the brakes need to be rubbed clean, or you may roll right through it.
So that's it. Follow along as this big Ford Power Stroke gets better brakes thanks to Brake Pros and Stillen and its driver gets a better feeling about his truck.
