Brakes, upgrades, mods to improve performance, need input.

[marked man]

After having a couple instances where I have come to loath the lack of braking ability on my exp, I wondered about upgrading to better brakes and possibily having adjustable proportioning to improve bias.

Anyone have any experience here???

 

[aldive]

Braking performance is often improved with slottet rotors such as offered by Power Slot ( http://www.powerslot.com/ ) and by the use of better pads such as offerings from Hawk ( http://www.hawkperformance.com/ ).

Good luck ....

 

[JDraper]

I don't think you're going to be able to run an adjustable proportioning valve with an ABS equipped Explorer. Changing the brake bias will mess up the braking characteristics when you reach the braking threshold, potentially making it very dangerous.

Like Al said, better brake pads, slotted or dimpled rotors and switching to a full synthetic (DOT 5) brake fluid will help. The full synth fluids won't boil or break down, which will improve your braking efficiency.

Also, you need to remember this is a fairly heavy vehicle, so it's not going to stop as well as a car or a smaller SUV.

 

[Anime]

I'd second the PowerSlot rotor/Hawk pad combo, along with improved drums and shoes in the rear as a mechanical solution to better braking. If you don't want to spend the money on new rotors, just getting new pads/shoes all the way around with top-end parts works good too. Also, just changing the brake fluid can make a big difference, especially if the current fluid is old and dirty. Lube on the caliper slide pins and proper adjustment of the rears if they're drums makes a big difference too.

With all new brake parts on a disc/drum X, new fluid, and tires with an "A" traction rating, the braking performance is really good. With 4 wheel discs and PowerSlot rotors and Hawk pads on each wheel, it should be even better.

 

[bikeboarder]

I have stock roters and drums with raybestos pads and shoes and i can lock up my 31s no problem. I know that locking them up doesent improve stoping distance but the big wide tires grip WAY better then the P235/75R15s so i can stop on a dime. The only time i wish i had slotted/drilled roters is when the breaks get wet.