Suggest brake system for 2015 Wrangler Unlimited

[TravelHawk]

I'm switching from a 2008 Liberty to a 2015 Wrangler Rubicon. I''m not going to move my Liberty's brake system to the new Jeep, time for something new.

I need a new brake system -- what do you suggest, and why?

Factors: ease of installation (cuz that can become a crazy/expensive job), price to buy, and how well it does the job of applying brakes appropriately.

I'm aware of the main three types:
-- electric always in place, solenoid or similar pulls on brake pedal
-- electric move in/out of place, arm presses on brake pedal
-- mechanical surge brake, cable from tow bar pulls on brake pedal

If you are using a recent vintage brake system, especially on a recent vintage Wrangler (2007 or newer is the current JK chassis), I'd love to hear about it.

My rig is a gas coach so Air Force one or similar is not useable. I'll continue to use my BlueOx Aventa LX tow bar.

[portscanner]

TravelHawk wrote:


For lights I'm trying to grasp pros and cons of Mopar "factory" cable vs. CoolTech (apparently a knock-off) vs. the various home-brew methods that installers use, with diodes and sometimes relays (Mopar and CoolTech use both). The difficult is, labor seems to be about the same using any of the options, so it comes down to best and most reliable method.

The Mopar "factory" cable is a minimum amount of work. I put that on my 2015 Wranger. The connector on the jeep was located up behind the glove box. Just had to thread the "factory" cable from the bumper to the glove box. The diode options require you to run wires all the way back to the tail lights.

[jpmihalk]

TravelHawk wrote:
The final debate is over which baseplate for a Wrangler. BlueOx is the obvious choice, but on a Wrangler it mounts very low (almost 3 inches lower than on a Liberty), which then requires I use a 6-inch dropbar (ugh, I already use a 4-inch), and potentially exposes the baseplate to ground impact when off-roading. Demco seems to mount almost 3 inches higher, but the mounting seems far less robust (fewer bolts, etc). I don't think Roadmaster baseplate is worth considering since I already have BlueOx towbar.

I bought and installed a Currie Enterprises Tow Bar mounting plate for Jeep Wrangler 07 and up which replaces the plastic cover directly under the bumper and looks very clean. The install took just over an hour with a buddy's help.

[MyakkaTT]

I used a Blu-Ox Bar with roadmaster Base Plate and CoolTech harness. Did all install myself and was not a problem. Looks OK Also. Once the arms are removed hard to tell to really notice the plate. But I have winch and aftermarket bumper.
Use a Brake Buddy at this time but would love to have something easier.

[TravelHawk]

bighatnohorse wrote:
Post is now months old. Did you settle on a brake system? Which one and how did the install go for you?

Thanks for the reminder. The answer is, "not yet". I'm still trying to get delivery of the Wrangler...expected last Friday but just got bumped to 2 weeks from now, "still on a railcar". Frustrating.

So, I'm still investigating all options.

For auxiliary braking I'm inclined to transfer over my Liberty's Unified Tow Brake system, in spite of the business issues, because it is clearly the most sophisticated system, and I already did the hard part -- buy it.

For lights I'm trying to grasp pros and cons of Mopar "factory" cable vs. CoolTech (apparently a knock-off) vs. the various home-brew methods that installers use, with diodes and sometimes relays (Mopar and CoolTech use both). The difficult is, labor seems to be about the same using any of the options, so it comes down to best and most reliable method.

For towbar I'll reuse my BluxOx Aventa II.

The final debate is over which baseplate for a Wrangler. BlueOx is the obvious choice, but on a Wrangler it mounts very low (almost 3 inches lower than on a Liberty), which then requires I use a 6-inch dropbar (ugh, I already use a 4-inch), and potentially exposes the baseplate to ground impact when off-roading. Demco seems to mount almost 3 inches higher, but the mounting seems far less robust (fewer bolts, etc). I don't think Roadmaster baseplate is worth considering since I already have BlueOx towbar.

[bighatnohorse]

Post is now months old. Did you settle on a brake system?
Which one and how did the install go for you?

[gasser9]

Stay & Play I love mine you should be able to install yourself, at the very least the hard parts, the wiring is not too bad but some need help easy to wire in when wiring lights though. SMI has a video on line & excellent tech support.

[klutchdust]

I installed the 'ready brake' cable system in my 08 wrangler yesterday. It's pretty straight forward. If you can change your oil then you can install this cable. As far as drilling the hole in the firewall, I found it helpful

to use a small level to go from the firewall to the pedal arm to determine where the cable should come through. If not your hole may be too high and you will have to drill another one, don't ask why I know that.

I am going to hook the jeep to my pick up today and take it for a test run around the neighborhood. I purchased some diodes and will be doing the lights next. First road trip is to Vegas next week for the NHRA

event.

[tc-lance]

The RVi2 brake is a much smaller package than some of the other portable braking systems. Check the size specs on their website. This unit is not at all bulky and should easily fit behind the seat in the jeep.

I decided to go with the RVi2 for my jeep wrangler because I did not want a cable permanently attached to my brake pedal (SMI and Unified). It would likely be ok, but I am picky about braking when driving on 4wd roads.

[NasaJohn]

I have been towing a 2010 JK Wrangler for two years, using the Aventa bars that you have and an Invisibrake, which I can't recommend. I'm looking for something new to tow my Honda CRV (when I'm not bound for Moab). Thanks for your summary. By the way, I discovered that I don't need to leave the key in the accessory position while towing my JK. My steering does not lock with the key out! Chrysler tells me some do and some don't, and that they think it has to do with the state to which the JK was delivered. But I've towed my JK 9,000 miles with the key out, which is nice since you don't have to remember to recover it when you stop for lunch! Check yours by removing the key and trying to turn the steering wheel all the way in both directions. This works best on gravel. If it never locks, you are good to go.

[John_Wayne]

Smi stay and play go to you tube they have a video of the install see if you feel you can handle it. I installed mine in the drive way no problems. Ran a wire to the MH dash so I can see when the toad brakes are on. went from M&G unit to stay and play.

[TravelHawk]

Off Pavement wrote:

I am curious about your statement the device is no longer made, and wonder where that information comes from?

My first plan was to move my 2007-vintage UTB from my old Jeep to my new Jeep, but I wanted to verify that it's smart and practical to do this. So in the past couple of weeks I called my original Unified Tow Brake dealer, and some other UTB "premier" dealers (as listed on UTB's site in bold blue). I specifically asked about parts availability (because my original UTB control module had burned out a couple of years ago). Each of the dealers told me of a recent lawsuit between the product's inventor and the separate business that has been the product's seller for many years. They say the seller lost the suit, and can no longer sell the UTB product, only whatever spare parts it has on hand...until they run out.

Moving to my Plan B, I started calling other brake system manufacturers for info, and mentioned that I had been using UTB. One of the manufacturers confirmed the lawsuit story, saying he knows the inventor, and was offered the chance to take over UTB selling but declined.

I suppose UTB might find a new seller to work with, because it seems to be a superior brake system design, but I can't wait. Of course, I haven't researched the actual lawsuit nor contacted the inventor of UTB, just reporting what I've been told. If anyone else wants to dig deeper, please share what you learn.

[Off_Pavement]

TravelHawk wrote:
I appreciate the responses (keep 'em coming!). Some feedback:

Unified Tow Brake -- This is what I've been using for 7+years, probably the most sophisticated design and performance, but.. Very expensive to move from Liberty to Wrangler ($1250 labor!) which seems unwise because the device is no longer made. When spare parts run out it's game over, and I already have needed to do emergency field repairs (the control module burned up internally, had to drive the Rockies brakeless).

I am curious about your statement the device is no longer made, and wonder where that information comes from?

[w4phj]

I'm towing a 2015 Wrangler Unlimited and using a older updated BB. Only change I needed to make was to raise the BB lifting handle to the highest position to avoid the BB from contacting the seat position adjustment rod.

[Romer1]

TravelHawk wrote:
I appreciate the responses (keep 'em coming!). Some feedback:


ReadyBrake/ReadyBrute -- Quite interesting, but every towing/RV shop I've contacted has either refused to install this, or wants huge $$ and won't warranty the work. They say it's horribly difficult to install and seems impossible to have reliable performance...different braking force when turning, or wheel locking, or no braking, etc.

Sliding the ready brake into your receiver is horribly difficult? It took me longer to route the cable back to the brake pedal. Been towing my 02 Jeep TJ for over 30,000 miles with no problem. Have the ready brake, Roadmaster all terrain towbar connected to my Jeep custom steel bumper.

In the process of having Demco baseplate and a cable for the ready brake installed on wife's 05 Liberty so we can tow that also.