A Story of Indecision and Frivolous Spending
- Thread starter Chris
- Start date
Starrs
TJ Guru
UPS came today. Along with my Currie Currectlync, they delivered my 17" Vanco big brake kit.
Let me just say that I had the 16" Vanco big brake kit on my previous black TJ Rubicon. I was more than impressed with that kit, but this 17" version takes things to an entirely different level.
I compared the caliper to the size of my foot (I wear a size 11) and it's bigger than my damn foot! I compared it to the stock caliper that's on the Jeep, and it makes it look like a complete joke!
I'm honest to goodness blown away by the size of these brakes... I can't wait to see how much of a difference it makes in terms of stopping power.
The 17" version comes with a larger master cylinder as well. I'll be replacing the unit bearings with new Timken ones, and installing my RCV axles at the same time.
The instructions are probably the best, most detailed instructions I've ever received with an aftermarket Jeep part, and the packaging these came in looked like someone with OCD (and serious attention to detail) packed them.
All I can say is that @mrblaine seriously knows how to impress!
Here's some photos:
This caliper is massive!!!
Let me just say that I had the 16" Vanco big brake kit on my previous black TJ Rubicon. I was more than impressed with that kit, but this 17" version takes things to an entirely different level.
I compared the caliper to the size of my foot (I wear a size 11) and it's bigger than my damn foot! I compared it to the stock caliper that's on the Jeep, and it makes it look like a complete joke!
I'm honest to goodness blown away by the size of these brakes... I can't wait to see how much of a difference it makes in terms of stopping power.
The 17" version comes with a larger master cylinder as well. I'll be replacing the unit bearings with new Timken ones, and installing my RCV axles at the same time.
The instructions are probably the best, most detailed instructions I've ever received with an aftermarket Jeep part, and the packaging these came in looked like someone with OCD (and serious attention to detail) packed them.
All I can say is that @mrblaine seriously knows how to impress!
Here's some photos:
This caliper is massive!!!
Me too! Apparently the knuckles are newly designed high strength nodular iron. I know at one point Blaine was reusing stock knuckles and machining them I believe, but now it appears as if he's designed his own knuckles, which is very cool!
I'm still in shock at how big the brakes are. I was expecting big, just not this big!
Yep, that USA stamp does indeed make it all that much better.
I plan on taking some side-by-side photos comparing the brakes when I get the old ones off. It will help put in perspective just how big these things really are.
The RCVs get here on Friday. I'm just torn on what I should do... part of me thinks I should re-gear at the same time, since I am pretty sure (not 100%) that to re-gear, you have to remove the axle shafts, which requires taking off the brakes and knuckles anyways. Seems kind of pointless to put these on, just to have to take them back off again to re-gear.
Yes, you 100% need to remove the axle shafts in order to get the pumpkin out. Are you still planning on tackling the re-gear yourself? For my own selfish reasons of wanting photos sooner I vote for doing the work twice
That said if it was me I would wait if it was within a reasonable time frame.
They're a HUGE caliper! Please post a side by side comparing to stock if you get a chance.
I only got the centric rotors +black magic pads and they are soooo much better than stock for the combo I'm running. So glad I got that done, now I'm confident driving on the hwy.
I’m so busy that I may just pay this local shop to do it. They told me they would install any gears I provided them and do it for a good price with about 2 day turn around.
Still debating on it. I want to do them myself just to learn, I just don’t know if I’m opening a can of works. I mean I’ve rebuilt plenty of engines before without issue, but never gears.
Will do! I’m guessing that these are going to put down some serious stopping power.
Are you going to do the regear yourself Chris? It would def make sense to do them together if that's the case.
I met and talked to David Kishpaugh of Jeep West this past weekend. He runs a great shop. I've decided he'll do my regear when I have the funds later this year. I'm getting some other changes from him soon though. Is it OK to start a build thread even if someone else helps with the work haha?
I had the same thought but ultimately the idea of the warranty won me over. I keep reading @bobthetj03 issues with vibrations and wanted someone else to blame other then myself.
I'm still contemplating it. I'd like to do my own gears only because it's a skill I want to learn. I'm just up in the air about it. I would like to do the re-gear at the same time as the brakes and RCV axles though.
@David Kishpaugh is one of the only people I'd let work on my Jeep. Great guy, super friendly, and incredibly knowledgable.
By all means, start a build thread! Even if someone else does a lot of the work, it's still your build!
Very true! Of course the flip side to that is that if there was vibrations you could be back at the installers 5 or 6 times before they figured it out even. At that point I think I'd rather just be on my garage floor working on it when I had the time as oppose to continually taking it back to a shop.
We'll see... I need to think about this more obviously. I just feel like the smart thing to do is install the new brakes and axles at the same time as the gears, that way I don't have to take them off again just to put new gears in.
Finally placed the order for the Revolution 5.38 gears. Should be here early next week, then I can get everything taken care of. I'm really looking forward to how these 5.38 gears will transform the way my TJ drives.
Really looking forward to hearing your thoughts after the regear. David recommended 5.13 for me.
5.13 would work, but after hearing from @Jerry Bransford who has had both 5.13 and 5.38, he prefers the 5.38.
Oh wait... I’m thinking of 35s (which is what I have). You have 33s, in which case 5.13 would be good.
More good news, I just got notified that the Exogate is back in stock and will be shipping to me tomorrow. I can finally get my spare tire back on!
So, looks like you are ready for a man trip thru the Con. Let's do it.
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