Brake System for 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

[nomad_289]

Anyone with first-hand experience / recommendations for a supplemental brake system for a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee (Diesel)?

I'll be towing it behind a Class A Diesel with the 43K GCWR Freight-liner chassis (10K hitch) w/air brakes.

I'm reading my way through the excellent "Supplemental Brake Systems" Sticky, but wondered what system(s) other Jeep GC owners had success with. Drilling a hole for a pulley based system looks difficult at first blush due to access and potential interference on the back of the firewall.

Thanks in advance.

[BozemanTrail]

For the cable tension, I found I had it too tight when I first started. Simple test was to have my wife drive behind me and let me know when the brake lights were on.

Now, I've gotten a little bit fancier since then and actual made my own wireless brake light indicator. Blue Ox used to make one, but no more. So, I made my own. If you want details, I can let you know, but definitely you need to know electronics to put it together.

[nomad_289]

Thanks for the endorsements and installation tips.

The Ready Brute Elite is being used by many knowledgeable members so looks like a good option (KISS). I'll also buy a temperature gun to ensure the activation cable isn't too tight.

Thanks again!!

[BozemanTrail]

I have a ReadyBrute Elite on my 2008 Grand Cherokee with the 3.0 TDI engine in it. No problems at all with it, it's worked well since I put it on in 2011. I didn't do the install, my local 4x4 shop did and had no problems getting things setup.

[bighatnohorse]

You need to get down under the firewall and see what's there.
On the Wrangler, drilling from the inside toward out, there really wasn't anything behind the interior firewall that could be damaged.

The engine compartment will probably have a thin heat reflector, sort of like foil covered cardboard.
Screws coming through the firewall (from the interior) simply pushed the foil reflector up a little bit - no harm.
A tip on mounting the pulley (if you go that route) is to use a 1/8-inch x 18-inch drill bit. The longer length bit allows one to stand-off with the screw gun for better placement and accuracy.

[Bumpyroad]

nomad 289 wrote:
A Drilling a hole for a pulley based system looks difficult at first blush due to access and potential interference on the back of the firewall.

Thanks in advance.

yep, I wouldn't want that type of setup myself. I used a brake buddy.
bumpy