E450 Brake Upgrade?
I have a 2005 Chinook Glacier (2004 E450 chassis) and am looking for info on available front brake upgrades. This chasis is notoriously under braked for the weight of a 14,000 lb motorhome. I already...
Forum Discussion
Carringb,
I am running LT245/70-17 Nitto Dura Grapplers on 17" custom alloys (originally for a Dodge with the hubs machined out for the Ford hubs with matching steel rear inners and spare). The wheels have a larger backspace to accommodate the wider tires that also give me a bit more load capacity. The rear duals are right at the load limit on the stock tires. I find that I cannot get into the anti-lock with the stock setup. What I would really like would be the later F series hubs with the 14.5" diameter rotors, but they use the 10x6.7 bolt pattern vice the 8x6.5 and I really do not want to buy a new set of wheels.
I do use the transmission on long sections and stay off the brake. One of the nice things about the 5-Star tune is the transmission control - a lot less slippage and quicker lockup without being harsh.
I currently am having trouble with a LF caliper not releasing. Checked sliding pins and they are fine, so suspect it is hoses. Fluid gets flushed every 2 years (I live on the coast - humid climate). That is why I am loking for stainless braid hoses - couldn't see much sense in butting new OEMs on if for a few $$ more I can upgrade at the same time.
I am running LT245/70-17 Nitto Dura Grapplers on 17" custom alloys (originally for a Dodge with the hubs machined out for the Ford hubs with matching steel rear inners and spare). The wheels have a larger backspace to accommodate the wider tires that also give me a bit more load capacity. The rear duals are right at the load limit on the stock tires. I find that I cannot get into the anti-lock with the stock setup. What I would really like would be the later F series hubs with the 14.5" diameter rotors, but they use the 10x6.7 bolt pattern vice the 8x6.5 and I really do not want to buy a new set of wheels.
I do use the transmission on long sections and stay off the brake. One of the nice things about the 5-Star tune is the transmission control - a lot less slippage and quicker lockup without being harsh.
I currently am having trouble with a LF caliper not releasing. Checked sliding pins and they are fine, so suspect it is hoses. Fluid gets flushed every 2 years (I live on the coast - humid climate). That is why I am loking for stainless braid hoses - couldn't see much sense in butting new OEMs on if for a few $$ more I can upgrade at the same time.
carringb wrote:
BTW what is your specific braking complaint? Bigger brakes won't help if you're traction limited. At 22,000 pounds combined, with the new brakes I can lock it up on dry pavement at 75. If you are having problems with heat build-up you may need to make better use of the transmission for braking.
