Hey Guys- I'm putting new rotors on my 4.7 with 95k. What rotor manufacturers would you recommend? I plan on going on-line/ catalogue for this; better prices and quality than CarQuest and the like. How much to budget for a pair of rears?

 

I can tell you which ones I DON'T recommend!

EBC, their warranty states that you must get the rotors skimmed when being installed! I used to be a mechanic and I'd never heard of this procedure for brand new rotors, nor has anyone else I've asked. After phoning around for garages offering this service, none had the adaptors for a Dakota (this is in England!) but if they did, they would have charged $100 per side! Even they said they'd never heard of new rotors needing skimming, and this was normally only done on really high end cars where the cost of genuine, replacement rotors makes skimming a worthwhile option. Needless to say, I didn't get them skimmed!

The installation instructions warned that if this wasn't done, it could lead to warping approximately 5000 Mls after installation. Sure enough, almost exactly 5k after fitting them there was that unmistakable pulsing of the pedal at low speed!

These were the standard, non drilled/slotted versions. The Yellow Stuff pads that I fitted at the same time are brilliant, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. Just steer clear of the discs! I think they must know they are junk for them to put such strange conditions in their warranty.

I replaced the EBC's with Brembo (again, Standard non drilled/slotted and no more expensive than the EBC's) and put the EBC pads back in. Everything is working fine so far......! 3k later.

Hope this helps.

 

There's a place called R1 concepts that sells cross-drilled, and slotted rotors for the Dak at a pretty reasonable price. That's what I've been using and they've held up pretty good...

 

any comment on Napa or centric rotors? what's a reasonable cost for a pair of rotors?

 

I would look at napa rotors they are pretty good. At one point they did offer a 3 warranty on them not sure if they still do or not. If you are gonna buy online take a look at rockauto.com

 

Back in the old days, it was standard procedure to surface new rotors. In recent years, though, quality control has gotten better and it's no longer necessary.

In any case, no special adapters are required to surface Dakota rotors, and there's no reason it should cost anywhere near $100 to have both of them done, much less each one.

 

I just put on a set (front and rear) of BrakeBest Select rotors on my truck. I got them from O'Reilly Auto Parts (2 year limited warranty). I also got Hawk LTS pads. So far (a few hundred miles) they seem OK. I obviously don't have a long term review yet.

 

I just put EBC slotted rotors on and I love them
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Used a place on E-Bay called Brakemotive and have held pretty well.

 

It’s a give and take in regards to how aggressive a braking system you want/need stock work fine the stock rotors suck I would replace them.

But as with anything there are pluses and minuses to everything with aggressive brake rotors and pads come fast wear the stock will last you a very long time they are conservative in nature.

I say if you rely heavy on your brakes you are driving aggressively back off and you will be fine.

I installed heavy duty truck rotors they have been on my Dakota 9 years and are still nice and thick only turned them two times.