I just recently instaled a set of 37 inch tires on my 1998 Ram 1500, now the brakes need to be upgraded. I know that up to 97 the same brake booster was used and only the master cylinders were different between the 1500 and 3500. In 1998 they changed the master cylinders so they couldn't be rebuilt. This info is from my Haynes manual. They also state that you shouldn't interchange the master cylinders because it could lead to diminished braking. I assume they mean don't put the 1500 master cylinder on the 3500.
I was wondering if there is a master cylinder from a 98 3500 I could use on my 98 1500 or if I could use a master cylinder from the 97 3500 on my truck for better braking ?
Did the 2nd gen Dana 44 have dual piston calipar in 2000 or 2001 and is this an upgrade I can do to my 98 1500 Dana 44?
Thanx

 

Unless you upgrade your wheel cylinders and your front calipers, there's no reason to change out your master cylinder. The master cylinder you have now puts out MORE than enough to handle your current brakes. The only trucks that had different master cylinders were the 3500s and the 2500s with the 8800# GVWR. The rest of the 3/4 tons used the same MC as the 1/2 tons.

As far as the dual piston calipers, I believe it was 2001 that got them. Problem is, I don't think it's just a caliper swap. I haven't looked into it, since I don't have any 1/2 tons to look at, but I believe you'd have to change out the rotor, caliper bracket, and wheel hub as they redsigned all of those components.

In my opinion, if you're going to continue running 37" tires you should probably look at a Dana 60 swap anyway

 

Hey thanks for taking the time to respond to my question's. Just don't have the money for the Dana 60 right now. Getting married this year and also trying to buy a house. I was trying to find a couple of cheap upgrades without droping any more money on this Dana 44.