2nd Gen Rear Wheel Cylinder Upgrade
BOMBARDIER
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 12,854
Likes: 1,112
From: Illinois?
The biggest thing is just to make sure you leave at least one nut in place loose, I prefer one top and one bottom myself. Cause when that drum brakes lose it's enough to take ya off your feet if your standin in the right/wrong place.
Diesel Bomber
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,163
Likes: 74
From: CA
I noticed a pretty big difference with the 1 ton cylinders on my 96, made me wish I'd done it a lot earlier.
yep, the removing the axle crap is for the 1st gen axles, only. when my '93 grenaded the ring/pinion I just swapped in a 2nd gen axle. bigger brakes, wider axle and way easier to service the brakes! I have yet to do the 1 ton cylinders on this one, though.
yep, the removing the axle crap is for the 1st gen axles, only. when my '93 grenaded the ring/pinion I just swapped in a 2nd gen axle. bigger brakes, wider axle and way easier to service the brakes! I have yet to do the 1 ton cylinders on this one, though.
Diesel Fan
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 30
Likes: 3
From: Las Vegas, NV
I was going to change the cylinders on my wife's '99, but she's happy with the brakes as they are. My '01, however, is starting to get tiny radial cracks in the front rotors. According to the previous (original) owner, this will be the 3rd set of rotors for this truck, all failing with radial cracks. One question about the 30mm cylinders though: On the '01, the brake lines enter at an angle, unlike the 30mm cylinders, or the cylinders on the '99. I'm a little leery of re-bending the brake lines to fit. Any guidance?
Last edited by Grider Pirate; Mar 4, 2009 at 09:58 AM.
BOMBARDIER
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 23,293
Likes: 1,322
From: North of You
What kind of rotors have been on there? FWIW, the cheapies are made overseas and Ive been told that they do not have the know how to smelt metal properly. Buy American made. As well, you shouldnt have to bend any brakelines to do this upgrade.
Diesel Fan
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 30
Likes: 3
From: Las Vegas, NV
The first set of rotors were, of course OEM Dodge. Second set, same. The current set are slotted aftermarket rotors. I don't know the brand, but I doubt they're cheap imports. Based on the longevity of OEM and the (assumed) good aftermarket rotors, I'm going to give cheap Chinese rotors a shot. I'm hoping the 30mm wheel cylinders may help by taking some of the braking load.
So, what about bending the brake lines??
So, what about bending the brake lines??
BOMBARDIER
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 23,293
Likes: 1,322
From: North of You
Why would you have to bend the brakelines? You break the fitting on the brakeline (its attached trough the backingplate to the wheel cylinder, remove both springs, remove the old cylinder, throw in the new one, put the springs back on, reinstall the drum and bleed.
Last edited by Dr. Evil; Mar 4, 2009 at 09:34 AM.
BOMBARDIER
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 12,854
Likes: 1,112
From: Illinois?
I was going to change the cylinders on my wife's '99, but she's happy with the brakes as they are. My '01, however, is starting to get tiny radial cracks in the front rotors. According to the previous (original) owner, this will be the 3rd set of rotors for this truck, all failing with radial cracks. One question about the 30mm cylinders though: On the '01, the brake lines enter at an angle, unlike the 30mm cylinders, or the cylinders on the '99. I'm a little leery of re-bending the brake lines to fit. Any guidance?
