I am new to the forum and just bought an old dodge. And the brakes are terrible. They do not even work until the end of the pedal [all 4 have been fully replaced and properly bled] I have heard this is just how it is for a 1/2 ton with larger tires. BUT!!

I have heard you can put 1 ton GM assisted brakes on a 1500?

I have already done the 1 ton Wheel cylinders and they helped a little but not really...

I have been looking for a good write up on what parts I would need to do this. I have found loads of threads talking about it but no one explaining it.

Anyone know what I am talking about?

I have a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 Regular cab with an 8" lift and 37" tires. The truck had 4.56 gears in the stock axles so I never swapped to the larger axles [dana 60's or dana 60 and 70 rear] So i am still running the 1/2 brakes which are severely inadequate. I do not crawl or anything anyway, just normal off-road access to the Utah back country

Thanks!!

Any insight would be appreciated.

 

there must be something else wrong if your brake peddle is practically going to the floor before your brakes work. you should maybe checking your brake lines mainly the flex lines. maybe the master cylinder has gone bad?

 

Search deeper, young one:

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...rade-info.html

Though I agree, you shouldn't have that much pedal travel, check for leaks, new rubber lines, or the BMC

 

Are the rears adjusted up properly? (they are the ones that have the most influence on pedal height.)

 

Lines are new, back brakes are completely new. The fronts are in need of new rotors but in working order.

I did however just bleed the back brakes after installing the wheel cylinders and did not take into account the order or proper procedure for dodge trucks, whatever that may be, i have a haines but i just havent looked into it yet, trucks in the shop getting 4.56 gears. The nub that did the lift and threw 37's on there still had 3.55's...

Does this system like some need to be bleed in a specific order? if so, I definitely still have air in my lines.

 

You should always bleed starting at the rear passenger side, then go to the rear drivers side, then front passenger side, then front drivers side.

 

thank you. I am going to replace the front rotors with some slotted rotors and then do all 4 in order.

No one heard of the 1 ton assisted brake upgrade though eh??? Even with fully working brakes they are still a bit inadequate

 

Have you tried just doing a big brake upgrade that is made specifically for your truck? I mean, alot of people go with larger wheel/tire combos and could benefit from a big brake upgrade.

 

As Aims suggested:
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...rade-info.html

 

What I heard was that you cam put the entire assisted braking system [master cylinder, everything] froma 1 ton dodge or a GM.