brakes
brakes
Champion
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,686
Likes: 0
From: Greenfield, Wisconsin
Even though the Dakota is supposed to be able to compete with full size trucks when it comes to towing .... 
Champion
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,686
Likes: 0
From: Greenfield, Wisconsin
I wasnt trying to be rude. There are always those couple things that are overlooked when designing a truck. I still dont get why they wouldnt do 4 wheel ABS standard instead of making it an option. When I bought my truck it stated ABS as one of the options, to find out later it was only rear ABS.
Trending Topics
Veteran
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
From: SW PA
The rear disc option has come and gone on some full size trucks as well, I so hardly think it's for that reason. My neighbor has an '07 Silverado 1500 with towing and z71 package and it has rear drums, and as far as I know it wasn't an option on the new style, but was on the previous generation.
I think it was for cost reasons, same reason we went back to 5-bolt instead of the 6-bolts that the 1st two gens have. I think that Dodge tried to keep costs as low as they could for these trucks to try and stay competitive and the brakes was just one of the sacrifices.
Rear disc is also not an option on Toyota Tacoma and Chevrolet Colorado.
In my opinion if you're towing something heavy enough where you're worried about those drum brakes, you should have trailer brakes anyway. There are weight restrictions on this as it is. Whether or not you have drums or discs back there doesn't mean a thing.
Yeah, it would be nice for us to have rear discs, but honestly other than maintenance benefits and wanting to see that shiny disc behind your wheel, it's really not relevant if you're following the proper towing guidelines.
I think it was for cost reasons, same reason we went back to 5-bolt instead of the 6-bolts that the 1st two gens have. I think that Dodge tried to keep costs as low as they could for these trucks to try and stay competitive and the brakes was just one of the sacrifices.
Rear disc is also not an option on Toyota Tacoma and Chevrolet Colorado.
In my opinion if you're towing something heavy enough where you're worried about those drum brakes, you should have trailer brakes anyway. There are weight restrictions on this as it is. Whether or not you have drums or discs back there doesn't mean a thing.
Yeah, it would be nice for us to have rear discs, but honestly other than maintenance benefits and wanting to see that shiny disc behind your wheel, it's really not relevant if you're following the proper towing guidelines.
Guest
Posts: n/a
If we had a more evenly distributed braking bias, I would be a bit more worried about rear disc.
Originally Posted by http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/techcenter/articles/43857/article.html
Drum vs. Disc: Today
In today's automotive pantheon, it's not uncommon to find four-wheel disc brakes as standard equipment on medium-priced, non performance-oriented models. The majority of new vehicles, however, continue to utilize a front-disc/rear-drum brake setup. What does this say about the current state of braking systems? Are these manufacturers sacrificing vehicle safety in order to save a few bucks by installing disc brakes on only the front wheels?
While a "yes" answer would certainly be great for increasing Town Hall traffic, the truth is that today's disc/drum setups are completely adequate for the majority of new cars. Remember that both disc and drum brake design has been vastly improved in the last 20 years. In fact, the current rear drum brake systems on today's cars would provide better stopping performance then the front disc setups of the '70s. And today's front disc brakes are truly exceptional in terms of stopping power. Combined with the fact that between 60 and 90 percent of a vehicle's stopping power comes from the front wheels, it's clear that a well-designed, modern drum brake is all that's required for most rear wheel brake duty.
High performance cars like the Viper, 911 and Corvette can justify a four-wheel disc brake system, especially if their owners participate in some form of sanctioned racing activity on the weekends. The rest of us get more of a benefit from the lower cost of drum brakes. Expecting every vehicle built today to come with four-wheel disc brakes would require an across-the-board increase in purchase price, and that could stop new car buyers much quicker than any brake system.
In today's automotive pantheon, it's not uncommon to find four-wheel disc brakes as standard equipment on medium-priced, non performance-oriented models. The majority of new vehicles, however, continue to utilize a front-disc/rear-drum brake setup. What does this say about the current state of braking systems? Are these manufacturers sacrificing vehicle safety in order to save a few bucks by installing disc brakes on only the front wheels?
While a "yes" answer would certainly be great for increasing Town Hall traffic, the truth is that today's disc/drum setups are completely adequate for the majority of new cars. Remember that both disc and drum brake design has been vastly improved in the last 20 years. In fact, the current rear drum brake systems on today's cars would provide better stopping performance then the front disc setups of the '70s. And today's front disc brakes are truly exceptional in terms of stopping power. Combined with the fact that between 60 and 90 percent of a vehicle's stopping power comes from the front wheels, it's clear that a well-designed, modern drum brake is all that's required for most rear wheel brake duty.
High performance cars like the Viper, 911 and Corvette can justify a four-wheel disc brake system, especially if their owners participate in some form of sanctioned racing activity on the weekends. The rest of us get more of a benefit from the lower cost of drum brakes. Expecting every vehicle built today to come with four-wheel disc brakes would require an across-the-board increase in purchase price, and that could stop new car buyers much quicker than any brake system.
Record Breaker
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,041
Likes: 0
From: Central NY
Nothing wrong with disc/drum. As was mentioned, GMT800 pickups used 4 wheel discs, and the GMT900 (latest Silverados) use disc / drum. Considering my Dakota can lock up the rears very easily, there isn't much need for more clamping force in the rear.
As for being "meant for towing", that's not much of an argument. Almost every commercial truck uses drums.
As for being "meant for towing", that's not much of an argument. Almost every commercial truck uses drums.