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Brake Upgrade For JKU - Dyanatrac Pro Grip vs Teraflex Big Brake

  1. Sharkbyte Subscriber
    #110 Feb 2017, 11:14 AM

    I am considering upgrading my brakes on our JKU.  I have noticed a definite difference in braking distance since I went to 37" tires and all the extra weight.  Is anybody running the Dynatrac Pro Grip or Teraflex Big Brakes?  The Dynatrac Brake upgrade seems like a very simple install.  Just larger rotors and larger brake pads.  Any suggestions or thoughts that does not include going to a Dana 60 Axle?  Thanks!

  2. Gilbert & Betty Member Joined: September 2014
    #210 Feb 2017, 1:12 PM

    Talk with Guy he just did a break upgrade

  3. Guy and Lynda Member Joined: May 2015
    #311 Feb 2017, 6:50 AM

    Jeff,

    Gil is correct, we did the upgrade & it works great. It was the Dynatrac kit & it uses the same calipers, but larger diameter rotors, which increases the moment arm, which increases the leverage to be able to stop. I recommend this to anyone for a quick & relatively low cost improvement.

  4. Jeff_R Member Joined: October 2016
    #411 Feb 2017, 9:33 AM
    Guy and Lynda said Jeff, Gil is correct, we did the upgrade & it works great. It was the Dynatrac kit & it uses the same calipers, but larger diameter rotors, which increases the moment arm, which increases the leverage to be able to stop. I recommend this to anyone for a quick & relatively low cost improvement.  

    Doesn't he have to do a trail repair on a broken brake line, drive home with three brakes and dodge deer crossing the road before he is eligible to do that upgrade?😀

    Jeff and Kathy Root
  5. Sharkbyte started this Subscriber
    #511 Feb 2017, 10:16 AM
    Guy and Lynda said Jeff, Gil is correct, we did the upgrade & it works great. It was the Dynatrac kit & it uses the same calipers, but larger diameter rotors, which increases the moment arm, which increases the leverage to be able to stop. I recommend this to anyone for a quick & relatively low cost improvement.  

    Thanks Guy!

  6. Sharkbyte started this Subscriber
    #611 Feb 2017, 10:17 AM
    Jeff_R said

    Doesn't he have to do a trail repair on a broken brake line, drive home with three brakes and dodge deer crossing the road before he is eligible to do that upgrade?😀  

    You forgot the part about being blind folded...😕

  7. Guy and Lynda Member Joined: May 2015
    #711 Feb 2017, 11:04 PM
    Jeff_R said

    Doesn't he have to do a trail repair on a broken brake line, drive home with three brakes and dodge deer crossing the road before he is eligible to do that upgrade?😀  

    Ha ha! That's right! Great memory Jeff R!  That was some ride that day! 😱😜😉

  8. kris_olof Trailmaster Joined: October 2015
    #813 Feb 2017, 1:58 AM

    I helped install the Mopar big brake kit on a JKU.  Larger rotors, larger calipers, larger master cylinder.  All mopar parts, rotors and pad readily available at any parts store. (rotors are off a dodge Nitro and calipers are from a 1500)

  9. JohnDF Member Joined: July 2003
    #913 Feb 2017, 2:46 AM
    kris_olof said I helped install the Mopar big brake kit on a JKU.  Larger rotors, larger calipers, larger master cylinder.  All mopar parts, rotors and pad readily available at any parts store. (rotors are off a dodge Nitro and calipers are from a 1500)

    That sounds pretty good. I wonder why nobody ever mentions that kit? Is it priced competitively?

    (EDIT)

    I just did a quick search about these. There seems to be rubbing issues with 17" wheels.

    I used to wheel a lot. . .
  10. kris_olof Trailmaster Joined: October 2015
    #1013 Feb 2017, 3:45 AM
    JohnDF said
    kris_olof said I helped install the Mopar big brake kit on a JKU.  Larger rotors, larger calipers, larger master cylinder.  All mopar parts, rotors and pad readily available at any parts store. (rotors are off a dodge Nitro and calipers are from a 1500)  

    That sounds pretty good. I wonder why nobody ever mentions that kit? Is it priced competitively?

    (EDIT)

    I just did a quick search about these. Seems the supplied brake lines have different sized connectors and are also not long enough for lifted Jeeps. Plus there seems to be rubbing issues with 17" wheels.  

    Pretty sure the wheel issue is a backspacing problem that would hold true for all big brake kits, no issues with 17" pro-comp aluminum wheels.  As to the connectors being different, only on the caliper side since the new caliper uses a different connector. It was bolt on and worked with what was in the kit.  No hose length issues with a MC 3.5" game changer lift.

  11. kris_olof Trailmaster Joined: October 2015
    #1113 Feb 2017, 3:48 AM

    Here is the thread with pics of the Mopar brake kit.

    https://posse4x4.org/forum/write-ups/moper-jk-big-brake-kit-medalcloak-jku-undercloak-and-tj-front-bumper/

  12. JohnDF Member Joined: July 2003
    #1213 Feb 2017, 8:18 AM
    kris_olof said Here is the thread with pics of the Mopar brake kit. https://posse4x4.org/forum/write-ups/moper-jk-big-brake-kit-medalcloak-jku-undercloak-and-tj-front-bumper/  

    Awesome. Thanks. Any reviews on the kit now that he has some miles on it?

    I used to wheel a lot. . .
  13. kris_olof Trailmaster Joined: October 2015
    #1314 Feb 2017, 4:52 AM
    JohnDF said

    Awesome. Thanks. Any reviews on the kit now that he has some miles on it?

    "Performance is outstanding"  His words. Still haven't gotten him and my other buddy with a similar JKU together to compare the braking distances.  He can get the ABS to kick in pretty easily so no possible panic stop improvement beyond this kit.

    And one point of clarification.  The brake line connectors are different looking but cross compatible with the old brake lines and aftermarket brake lines.  The lines supplied with the kit were probably long enough for a 3.5" lift but were close.  After some flex testing he thought the lines were a little too close to the end so he swapped in the Metalcloak supplied lines without issue.

    Its a pretty tough call between the three kits though. TF and Dyna get increased diameter front and rear which not only improve immediate stopping power but also gets more metal there to absorb heat on long downhills.  The Mopar kit gets those benefits in the front plus larger calipers and bigger booster and master cylinder for increased brake pressure, same results without as much long downhill capacity in rear rotors.  Big benefit for the Mopar kit is long term. A brake job 15 yrs from now will be a simple run to the parts store VS. hoping that TF or Dyna are still making/stocking parts, weren't bought out in the next recession, etc.. But that only applies if you plan on buying and keeping the rig forever AND keeping 44s forever.

  14. Sharkbyte started this Subscriber
    #1416 Feb 2017, 12:52 AM
    kris_olof said
    JohnDF said Awesome. Thanks. Any reviews on the kit now that he has some miles on it?  

    "Performance is outstanding"  His words. Still haven't gotten him and my other buddy with a similar JKU together to compare the braking distances.  He can get the ABS to kick in pretty easily so no possible panic stop improvement beyond this kit.

    And one point of clarification.  The brake line connectors are different looking but cross compatible with the old brake lines and aftermarket brake lines.  The lines supplied with the kit were probably long enough for a 3.5" lift but were close.  After some flex testing he thought the lines were a little too close to the end so he swapped in the Metalcloak supplied lines without issue.

    Its a pretty tough call between the three kits though. TF and Dyna get increased diameter front and rear which not only improve immediate stopping power but also gets more metal there to absorb heat on long downhills.  The Mopar kit gets those benefits in the front plus larger calipers and bigger booster and master cylinder for increased brake pressure, same results without as much long downhill capacity in rear rotors.  Big benefit for the Mopar kit is long term. A brake job 15 yrs from now will be a simple run to the parts store VS. hoping that TF or Dyna are still making/stocking parts, weren't bought out in the next recession, etc.. But that only applies if you plan on buying and keeping the rig forever AND keeping 44s forever.  

    Kris,

    Thank you so much for the excellent write up on brakes!  You have given me a lot to think about.  I'm still considering the options and will likely get something going by this summer.

  15. Sharkbyte started this Subscriber
    #1527 Feb 2017, 8:12 AM
    Guy and Lynda said Jeff, Gil is correct, we did the upgrade & it works great. It was the Dynatrac kit & it uses the same calipers, but larger diameter rotors, which increases the moment arm, which increases the leverage to be able to stop. I recommend this to anyone for a quick & relatively low cost improvement.  

    I read on some of the review that the Pro Grips create a lot more brake dust.  Have you noticed an excess amount of brake dust?  This was the only negative I have read about them.  Otherwise the stop the Jeep very well.

    Thanks!

  16. Guy and Lynda Member Joined: May 2015
    #1627 Feb 2017, 8:50 AM
    Sharkbyte said

    I read on some of the review that the Pro Grips create a lot more brake dust.  Have you noticed an excess amount of brake dust?  This was the only negative I have read about them.  Otherwise the stop the Jeep very well.

    Thanks!  

    Jeff we have not noticed any break dust at all.  The rig isn't our daily-driver, so we don't drive it except on runs, but still, there isn't any dust that we can see.

  17. Gregulator Member Joined: February 2012
    #1728 Feb 2017, 1:03 AM

    I would say brake dust is pretty common among performance brake pads.  That has been my experience in the car world.  Just means you need to clean your wheels more often.

    Um...what?
  18. Gilbert & Betty Member Joined: September 2014
    #1828 Feb 2017, 1:45 AM

    I'm running ORiellys premium pads that claim low dust and they deliver on that claim.  Also they have a lifetime warranty and they honor as long as you return them with about 35% material left on the pads.  They run about $90 bucks for a tj. Overall not bad for an OEM replacement part.

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