Upgraded brakes

[Viper83101]

I need some help. I am looking to upgrade my brake master cylinder on my 04 RC. Wilwood caught my attention since I know they are some very reliable parts but I dont know exactly which kit since they list several. Has anyone done a similar upgrade? If so, which kit did you use and how did you like it over OEM? I would be looking for the whole kit..master Cylinder, reservoir, lines, etc... im also needing a new brake booster and im assuming OEM is the only one available for the truck?

 

[VPRPWRD]

What are you experiencing with your brakes that makes you want to upgrade the master cylinder?

 

[ViperPete]

What are you experiencing with your brakes that makes you want to upgrade the master cylinder?

What he said...

I always thought our braking system was very reliable and quite large for our trucks.

 

[Viper83101]

Well the truck rode great Saturday. Sunday I didnt drive it at all and then today when I left out for work, I went to stop and there was god awful amount of pressure on the brake pedal and I was pushing almost as hard as I could and the pedal would barely move and the truck would barely stop. I figured it was either the master cylinder or brake booster. Its not throwing any codes so I doubt its a vacuum line problem

 

[10-1=9]

Well the truck rode great Saturday. Sunday I didnt drive it at all and then today when I left out for work, I went to stop and there was god awful amount of pressure on the brake pedal and I was pushing almost as hard as I could and the pedal would barely move and the truck would barely stop. I figured it was either the master cylinder or brake booster. Its not throwing any codes so I doubt its a vacuum line problem

Actually check the vacume line going to the brake booster. It works on vacume, no vac no power brakes. Has to have a leak either internal (booster) or external (hose from engine to one-way valve on Booster). After you shut the truck off wait 2 min & try the brake with the engine off. If you get 1 or2 vacuum assisted pumps you're good, if the brakes hard right from the get go there's a leak

 

[Viper83101]

Actually check the vacume line going to the brake booster. It works on vacume, no vac no power brakes. Has to have a leak either internal (booster) or external (hose from engine to one-way valve on Booster). After you shut the truck off wait 2 min & try the brake with the engine off. If you get 1 or2 vacuum assisted pumps you're good, if the brakes hard right from the get go there's a leak

Ok thanks man and I will for sure try that as soon as I get off work this afternoon. Lets just say brakes arent my speciality so I had no idea where to start or what would cause it.

 

[redice2]

sounds like when my brake booster went bad. had to baby truck 30 miles to get it home that way.

 

[Viper83101]

sounds like when my brake booster went bad. had to baby truck 30 miles to get it home that way.

That may I end up being my problem. I guess I will know this afternoon.

 

[10-1=9]

Let us know how you make out. Remember you still have brakes just no power assist so stand on the pedal with both feet if you have to. The truck will stop just not E-Z

 

[Viper83101]

Update...I checked out the truck this afternoon when I got off of work and it was a simple fix thank god. The hose that runs from the engine to the brake booster to pull the vacuum had split and completely come off the engine side. I just got done putting a new hose on and so far so good. Thanks for all the info guys. Your right 10-1=9...it def DID NOT stop easy at all. Im just glad it wasnt anything with the master cylinder or brake booster.

 

[10-1=9]

It's a good idea to check all the other 10 year old vac lines for problems when you have time. Glad it was an E-Z one for you.

 

[Viper83101]

Its a very good idea. Def wont hurt to see if there is any cracks in the line. Luckily it happened to me right out of the driveway but I would hate to hear about it happening to someone at a time when they were really needing to stop fast for any reason

 

[10-1=9]

How long has it been since the brake fluid was changed? If it's over 2 years your due. Most guys upgrade to DOT 4 fluid.

 

[Viper83101]

How long has it been since the brake fluid was changed? If it's over 2 years your due. Most guys upgrade to DOT 4 fluid.

Well ive only had the truck for about a month now so I dont know how long it's been since last change. I really want to upgrade my brake rotors and pads all the way around with upgraded brake lines so hopefully I could do a full swap here before to much longer. I would really love to upgrade the calipers to the 05/06 calipers when I do the rest of the brake upgrade but I know finding a set of 4 calipers for the 05/06 trucks probably isnt gonna be easy and will probably be really expensive.

 

[10-1=9]

You can get test strips that you dip in the fluid that will show you good or bad. Flushing the fluid is E Z & money well spent. Plus it gives you a chance to take a good look at what you bought (with the wheels off). You may be able to catch a problem that may strand you or worse.

 

[bmxam962]

All rear brakes are the same no need to change those calipers

 

[VENOMOUS1 RACING]

Actually check the vacume line going to the brake booster. It works on vacume, no vac no power brakes. Has to have a leak either internal (booster) or external (hose from engine to one-way valve on Booster). After you shut the truck off wait 2 min & try the brake with the engine off. If you get 1 or2 vacuum assisted pumps you're good, if the brakes hard right from the get go there's a leak

Good diagnosis and exactly what I texted him. :rock:

Update...I checked out the truck this afternoon when I got off of work and it was a simple fix thank god. The hose that runs from the engine to the brake booster to pull the vacuum had split and completely come off the engine side. I just got done putting a new hose on and so far so good. Thanks for all the info guys. Your right 10-1=9...it def DID NOT stop easy at all. Im just glad it wasnt anything with the master cylinder or brake booster.

Glad you got it licked! Love a simple fix.

 

[CaptnCrash]

Well ive only had the truck for about a month now so I dont know how long it's been since last change. I really want to upgrade my brake rotors and pads all the way around with upgraded brake lines so hopefully I could do a full swap here before to much longer. I would really love to upgrade the calipers to the 05/06 calipers when I do the rest of the brake upgrade but I know finding a set of 4 calipers for the 05/06 trucks probably isnt gonna be easy and will probably be really expensive.

Actually finding the 05-06 front calipers is easy, but they're not cheap, they are a bolt on upgrade. You *WILL* have an incredibly difficult if not impossible time finding 04 front calipers, new or rebuilt, or front caliper rebuild kits for the 04 unless you can find some NOS sitting on a shelf someplace.

Front and rear rotors are all the same, rear calipers are all the same.

I just upgraded my 04 to 05 front calipers [ new ] and it's a simple bolt on especially if you use a braded brake line upgrade kit.

I suspect more and more 04 owners are going to be faced with this as time goes on.

You absolutely do get better braking performance. I suspect Dodge upgraded these because in 04 they only made the SRT10 in a RC. 05-06 they had that quad cab thingy that weighs 1000+ lbs more and needed some more stopping power.

The brake pads are way, way easier to change now also.

Good luck!

--CC

 

[ZCx]

Actually finding the 05-06 front calipers is easy, but they're not cheap, they are a bolt on upgrade. You *WILL* have an incredibly difficult if not impossible time finding 04 front calipers, new or rebuilt, or front caliper rebuild kits for the 04 unless you can find some NOS sitting on a shelf someplace.

Front and rear rotors are all the same, rear calipers are all the same.

I just upgraded my 04 to 05 front calipers [ new ] and it's a simple bolt on especially if you use a braded brake line upgrade kit.

I suspect more and more 04 owners are going to be faced with this as time goes on.

You absolutely do get better braking performance. I suspect Dodge upgraded these because in 04 they only made the SRT10 in a RC. 05-06 they had that quad cab thingy that weighs 1000+ lbs more and needed some more stopping power.

The brake pads are way, way easier to change now also.

Good luck!

--CC

are ya sayin the front & rear rotors are the same on one truck or on the '05 & '06 they are the same???

'04's were an option, had to check the little box to get a Viper Truck.
'05's & '06's are their own model:rock::rock::rock:

 

[CaptnCrash]

are ya sayin the front & rear rotors are the same on one truck or on the '05 & '06 they are the same???

'04's were an option, had to check the little box to get a Viper Truck.
'05's & '06's are their own model:rock::rock::rock:

The front rotors on the 04-06 SRT10 are the same, 04 has a different caliper than 05-06. The rear rotors and calipers on the 04-06 SRT10 are the same.

Operative term here is SRT10.

--CC