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OwlsInTheBog's avatar
OwlsInTheBog
Explorer
Aug 24, 2013

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 have a line on frozen slotted rotors and Hawk pads (have been using them for years on all my vehicles with great results), but I am looking for:

*Braided stainless brake hoses?

*Larger diameter rotors (as in the later F series trucks)? I already have the required 17" wheels to clear the calipers on larger rotors.
Does anyone have sources or experience with these? Is it possible to simply fit the later F series 2WD front hub and brake assy to the 04 E series?

I do know that Quadvan in Portland OR used the later 4WD F series front axles with the larger brakes for their 4WD conversions, but I am not looking to go the 4WD route on this one (I did that on an earlier Chinook Concourse with great results).
Class C
  • carringb's avatar
    carringb
    Explorer
    Aug 25, 2013
    Swap to a 2008+ front axle. Rotors calipers and pads are all bigger. Plus, some of the other components are improved too. I did it to my van. Take off axles are $400 from quadvan then you just buy a new sway bar with links. It's cheper than a ball joint job (and you get new better ones anyways. )

    PS skip the hawk pads and slotted rotors. Tried that route. The newer Ford stuff is way better. And for the rears try Napa extreme duty pads. They have the shortest stopping distances of all the major aftermarket pads and better than stock.
  • Home_Skillet's avatar
    Home_Skillet
    Explorer II
    Aug 25, 2013
    The rotors- you DO NOT want drilled. They will crack.

    I ordered the Centric slotted front and rear rotors.
    Centric calipers-have the steel pistons.

    I went through PartsGeek.com
  • Home_Skillet's avatar
    Home_Skillet
    Explorer II
    Aug 25, 2013
    Ha. I just did my entire brake system, except for lines.
    Did all four calipers= made sure thay had steel pistons.

    Evertime I took a trip and got stuck in traffic, the calipers would stick and burn up the pads. I have a TPMS with a temp read out, so I knew exactly which caliper it was.

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