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Braking After Larger Tires???

6K views 30 replies 22 participants last post by  Cirdecus 
#1 ·
Hello again fellow Jeepsters: Well my JK is still being worked on, and if all goes well I should be picking Her up this Thursday, (I will have before & after pictures for all to see). My question is: with 35" tires, how will the braking be??? I would guess the extra weight & diameter of the tires have to have some sort of an impact on braking distance, pedal feeling mushy, etc?? I will be calling the shop tomorrow, but should I be prepared to hear that it would be wise to install bigger rotors, calipers, & pads??? And 1 more little detail that might be helpful in any decisions, I will be most like installing a supercharger with-in the next 2 weeks or so. So I figure if I am going to be moving, I want to be able to stop!!!! Kindly tell me your experiences with this, & opinions on, or any solutions? Thank You BeverageGuy
 
#2 ·
I highly recommend installing a big brake kit. I am running 35's currently and installed the Mopar Big Brake kit. Without it, the braking felt weak. Trying to lock up the brakes to a point where ABS would kick in was tough. Also on the trail in low range it required a heavy foot to keep the gearing from winning the battle. Was it drivable, yes, could I stop, sure. Did it feel safe - marginally. Switching to the big brake kit made all the difference. ABS kicks in as expected and the difference on the trail is substantial. The brake peddle has a much more solid feel and I feel confident in my braking system.
 
#7 ·
It would be downright Reckless and dangerous to have and use a Supercharger with only stock brakes.
For street driving, more power (supercharger) is completely irrelevant to braking capability. On the street, you are still (I hope) driving the same legal speeds regardless of whether you have a supercharger, so you are still braking from the same speeds. It's not like racing where more power means you'll reach a higher speed on the straights and have to brake harder for the corners.
 
#8 ·
Note I mentioned the words "and use". If you drive legal and only hit the same legal speeds why Supercharge? Adding 35s makes a JKs Brakes weak but then adding a Supercharger? I know you can likely get away with it but I wouldn't even consider a Turbo/Supercharger without upgrading the brakes. Admittedly I'm a Safety Freak. I even wear a Helmet on my bicycle and I look like RoboCop when I gear up for a Motorcycle ride. I realize some people add SCs or Turbos because of the high cool factor, I'm just refering to someone who's going to open it up in traffic.
 
#12 ·
Note I mentioned the words "and use". If you drive legal and only hit the same legal speeds why Supercharge?
I can't speak for the OP's reasons for a Supercharger, but I could think of a few reasons for a supercharger which are all within driving legally and actually contribute to being safer.
- Heavier/larger tires=More weight. More weight= less power, supercharger=regain lost power.
- If the speed limit is 60MPH, then with a super charger I would still obey the speed limits. Without the super charger I could go from 0 to 60 in 5 minutes with the JK. With the Supercharger, I might go 0 to 60 in 15 seconds instead which is on par with most vehicles on the road. Driving at the same speeds and accelerations as all the other vehicles on the road is safer.
- When you need to change lanes or pass, having additional power available can be safer, unless you consider spending 2 minutes on the wrong side driving towards head-on traffic on a 2-way highway safer than spending 30 seconds.

These things are all legal, and can contribute to being safer, so if safety is your thing, it seems you might be overlooking a few things. We don't all want Superchargers to break the laws. Some want them due to a lack of power of their JK's so they don't spend as much time in the not so safe driving areas and to have enough power to blend in with all the other cars on the road. It's the same reasons they don't allow bicycles to be driven on the freeways.
 
#9 ·
Only you really know what you want or need. Sounds like you still got a bit to figure out.

FWIW: I just installed the TF front and rear brake kits last weekend, including the replacement front calipers.

Install was straight forward. Feel is similar to stock, but you can tell there will be a noticeable increase in hard braking - haven't done it yet.

It's not cheap, but given that it's a significant improvement, easy bolt on - it's kind of a no brainer if your going for larger tires.
 
#11 ·
Thought or spoken, "I wish I had Less effective Braking" - Never.

Certainly as the Rig grows in mass (especially rotating mass) stock/oe designed braking capacity is exceeded.
As U.P. said, one would hope driving speeds and safe following distances are still observed regardless of Mod status But, stuff happens and safe braking under emergency as well as normal driving needs to be maintained regardless of cost.
IF a Mod expense does not consider and include safety the project should stay on hold until all aspects can be accomplished simultaneously (IMO).

Example: New Lights installed AND properly aimed at the same time.
 
#14 ·
I've been looking at this option. Any feedback?
 
#19 ·
Stock brakes with 35's is a weak to say the least. I will my dynatrac progrip, increased rotors size, dynatrac stock size pads and caliber relocation bracket. nice firm pedal and the brakes will now make you kiss the windshield.
 
#21 ·
It depends on your driving style and what you are used to. If you are used to driving a zippy lightweight car that can stop on a dime, and you drive this way the Jeep will feel horrible. If you are coming from a full-size pick-up the brakes will feel good. I had stock brakes on 37s and it still stopped better than my crew cab Silverado.

That being said, would better brakes and a shorter stopping distance be beneficial and wanted? Yes! Is it absolutely necessary? Read above.

I currently have the Teraflex Big Brake kit and it will stop my 120 pound 40 inch tire and wheel combo on a dime. It also stops the vehicle in a stable manner. With stock brakes the vehicle would squirm left and right on a hard stop. With the Big Brake Kit it is a straight on, lock the tires to the ground dead stop. Glue.
 
#22 ·
And for the record, from now on, a Big Brake kit will go on the day my tires do.
 
#23 ·
Anyone know if the Mopar Big Brake Kit and it's included lines work with a Rock Krawler 3.5" lift at full articulation? I have really been looking at BBK's since putting my 35's on and what I've read about the Mopar one is that the Stainless braided lines that came with my Rock Krawler kit do not fit the Mopar BBK calipers and no one says what lift they are running not when they install this kit. Anyone able to help me with info on this?
 
#24 ·
Go with the Teraflex BBK Rock Krawler lines work fine with it. Why don't they work with the Mopar Kit? It's pretty much the same as the Teraflex.
 
#26 ·
I just did the TF Big Rotor Kit on my 2010 with 35's, and I honestly think it stops better than stock. I've had the luck/fortune/opportunity to test out panic stops a few times since I made the swap, and the extra braking is very noticeable. I would have liked to do the full BBK with calipers, but my 2010 master cylinder isn't up to snuff.
 
#27 ·
Every BBK I've ever run on other vehicles needs a bigger booster to really shine and I hear the wrangler is no different. Anyone have experience with this?
 
#30 ·
When my brakes need replacing I will jump to a big rotor kit. There is no doubt the the larger rotor diameter will increase stopping power. But the stock brakes are by no means inadequate. Your stopping distance does increase but if you happen to pull a trailer you already know to increase your following distance when towing, do the same when running 35's. My Jeep is on the heavy side 5000 lbs and I pull a 2000 lbs trailer. Just remember to increase following distance.
 
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