99Yuk
Full Access Member
I was... We talked about it here a little while ago. Then I researched it, and it's alot of work for me. So I'm not sure. If the parts/donor truck falls in my lap, probably. But if not, then I'm probably not giong to make it a priority.
Other than a lower pedal than I'd like, I'm not having the exact same problems that you are right now. In fact my braking is the best it's ever been.
I've been reading your posts and thinking...
If your willing to read on, then I'll explain what I think....
I don't know if you remember, I upgraded my calipers, etc only to find out my new Hawk pads where to big. So for about two or three weeks, I ran around with a $18 set of pads on it. What your describing are the exact same conditions that I was experienceing with those cheapo pads on.
Then I ground down the backing on my 3/4ton Hawk pads and threw them on. Night and day difference.
So after thinking about if for many months, I've concluded the same as you. SS lines, 3/4 calipers didn't do anything for me as evidenced by weak braking with cheap pads on. It was the Hawk pads that made all the difference in the world for me.
So now I'm thinking about your posts. And a few days ago, I realized two things.
1) Although you bought hawk pads, you didn't go ceramic. I think you got the LT pads. I went back to Hawk's webpage last week to double check. There is a difference in our two pads. I think that ceramic makes a difference because as it gets hotter it grabs better. That's what I'm finding. I have to let up on the brake pedal as I get closer to stopping my truck. They seem to get warm and grab...and grab..and they just keep grabbing, until I have to let up on the pedal a bit to stop.
2) Even if you had bought the ceramics, there are the 1/2ton and then the 3/4ton pads. Even though I ground down the backing plate, the pad material is bigger on my 3/4ton pads than the 1/2ton pads. I have absolutely no idea if that's making a difference for me or not. And worse, I have no way to find out. This past weekend I pulled my front tires off to swap over to my summer rims and tires, and checked on my brakes. Pads are good, rotors are good. I won't be needing to replace them anytime soon. So I won't be buying and installing 1/2ton pads anytime soon.
I didn't want to hijack the 2wd braking thread, but I thought I may make a suggestion to you.
For less $$$ than a hydroboost conversion, why not try buying a set of 3/4ton Hawk ceramic pads? Grind down the backing plate to fit the top hat of the rotors? I know it sucks because you just bought a new set of pads, but it's cheaper than the hydroboost.
It will probably not fix the low pedal feeling, but I think your truck will stop when you want it to. At least mine does.
Anyways /rant!
Other than a lower pedal than I'd like, I'm not having the exact same problems that you are right now. In fact my braking is the best it's ever been.
I've been reading your posts and thinking...
If your willing to read on, then I'll explain what I think....
I don't know if you remember, I upgraded my calipers, etc only to find out my new Hawk pads where to big. So for about two or three weeks, I ran around with a $18 set of pads on it. What your describing are the exact same conditions that I was experienceing with those cheapo pads on.
Then I ground down the backing on my 3/4ton Hawk pads and threw them on. Night and day difference.
So after thinking about if for many months, I've concluded the same as you. SS lines, 3/4 calipers didn't do anything for me as evidenced by weak braking with cheap pads on. It was the Hawk pads that made all the difference in the world for me.
So now I'm thinking about your posts. And a few days ago, I realized two things.
1) Although you bought hawk pads, you didn't go ceramic. I think you got the LT pads. I went back to Hawk's webpage last week to double check. There is a difference in our two pads. I think that ceramic makes a difference because as it gets hotter it grabs better. That's what I'm finding. I have to let up on the brake pedal as I get closer to stopping my truck. They seem to get warm and grab...and grab..and they just keep grabbing, until I have to let up on the pedal a bit to stop.
2) Even if you had bought the ceramics, there are the 1/2ton and then the 3/4ton pads. Even though I ground down the backing plate, the pad material is bigger on my 3/4ton pads than the 1/2ton pads. I have absolutely no idea if that's making a difference for me or not. And worse, I have no way to find out. This past weekend I pulled my front tires off to swap over to my summer rims and tires, and checked on my brakes. Pads are good, rotors are good. I won't be needing to replace them anytime soon. So I won't be buying and installing 1/2ton pads anytime soon.
I didn't want to hijack the 2wd braking thread, but I thought I may make a suggestion to you.
For less $$$ than a hydroboost conversion, why not try buying a set of 3/4ton Hawk ceramic pads? Grind down the backing plate to fit the top hat of the rotors? I know it sucks because you just bought a new set of pads, but it's cheaper than the hydroboost.
It will probably not fix the low pedal feeling, but I think your truck will stop when you want it to. At least mine does.
Anyways /rant!
