Hi guys,

we bought a 1996 RAM 3500 4x4 last year with the V10 engine, 4.10 axle ratio and 5-speed. We use it pretty much exclusively for towing very heavy trailers (gooseneck flat deck with equipment up to 20,000 lbs! Trailer has hydraulic brakes and we have a truly proportional brake controller in the truck).
The truck is doing great with pulling, but the brakes are not too convincing.

We recently had a situation on snowy roads, where the rear wheels didn't even nearly lock up with almost 4,000lbs on the gooseneck hitch! Probably we have to adjust the drum brakes, however we are wondering what brake upgrades others have had success with.

Brakes are all stock at this point and we are running 235/85 R16 tires. Truck pulls to one side when braking, so the front brakes need to be done, too.

Should we go with the GM wheel cylinders for the drums? The truck does not have brake proportioning valve and RWAL only. Or should we do a conversion to disc brakes in the back?

Can we put on bigger front brakes as used on the 2002 RAM?

I checked Performance Friction, Power Stop, etc., but could not find any "big brake" upgrades for a 3500.

Hope to hear what your experiences are.

Thanks!

 

I am not aware of any upgrades for the one tons. The wheel cylinder upgrade for the dodge trucks was for the half ton guys..... Not sure what cylinder ID is on the one tons.....

Best suggestion I can make is, make sure everything is up to snuff. Pulling while braking is bad.... need to fix that asap. Invest in some HIGH quality brake pads. Make sure all lines are in good condition.

The rears not locking when heavily loaded isn't really that much of a surprise. If they won't lock when UNloaded.... I would start to wonder. (not like the RWAL on these trucks is worth anything.....)

 

a small and maybe unoticeable gain could be achieved by switching to GM dually cylinders

however, you sound like your looking for more, in which case you will spend $1k for dual pistons upfront and $1k for a conversion in the rear... just not worth it to me, but hey, i dont pull a 20k lb trailer

 

Thanks for the replies.

We generally don't have the feeling like the rear brakes are doing much even when we drive the truck empty. So we will check the drums for sure for condition and setting.

Matty675, do you know who would offer a conversion kit for front dual piston and rear disc brakes?

 

disc conversion

4 piston calipers

before going all out and buying either of the above. do a brake tune up with new shoes, wheel cylinders, hardware kit etc. you could also get pads, rotors, and SS lines for the front

 

Sounds like your rear brakes arent adjusted right or you may have plugged line going to them like on my 3/4 ton i had.
After changing the line and adjusting the brakes, they would put you in window running empty.

Dave

 

I guess we really should check the rear brakes and the lines.

I also sent SSBC an e-mail.

 

good deal. ur headed in the right direction

 

There are some good diy kits out there that are way cheaper than SSBC,Just do a Google search for dana 70 dually conversion kits, I would hunt it up for you but Dial up is way to slow for that. What type of brake booster do you have vac or hydro boost?

 

Check out something like this http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dana-...Q5fAccessories.
Or this for Dana 60 http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodge...mZ130470066421
Contact them and see if they will work for your truck, alot cheaper then SSBC.
Dave