My Review of the Vanco 16" Big Brake Kit

[Damazzaro]

Awesome! I have to get a kit. I just had an accident, where I rear ended a SUV two weeks ago. I was even coming to a stop at a Stop sign. It was raining but it happened in slow motion....totally sucked

You'll be happy with this kit. I have the 17" kit now, so even a bigger improvement over this one!

Although more stopping power can lead to worse performance in the rain and slippery conditions. You really should be applying less pressure to the brake as the road surfaces get more slick. The 16" kit will help tremendously in dry conditions but can make it worse in wet conditions if you're not overly experienced in those conditions.

 

[Chris]

Although more stopping power can lead to worse performance in the rain and slippery conditions. You really should be applying less pressure to the brake as the road surfaces get more slick. The 16" kit will help tremendously in dry conditions but can make it worse in wet conditions if you're not overly experienced in those conditions.

It rains more here in the Willamette Valley than most places in the U.S. That being said, I have more experience driving in torrential downpours than I would have ever imagined! Yes, you have to know how to drive, but the bigger brakes (especially on 35s) becomes a real necessity.

 

[Damazzaro]

It rains more here in the Willamette Valley than most places in the U.S. That being said, I have more experience driving in torrential downpours than I would have ever imagined! Yes, you have to know how to drive, but the bigger brakes (especially on 35s) becomes a real necessity.

Yes, totally agree with the larger tire size. I just saw 'accident' and 'raining' and kinda got triggered, lol. Just trying to put out a fair warning that better brakes may not always be the solution. Especially if they are looking to run this kit with stock or slightly larger tires. I have no idea of their setup so I only made assumptions.

 

[Chris]

Yes, totally agree with the larger tire size. I just saw 'accident' and 'raining' and kinda got triggered, lol. Just trying to put out a fair warning that better brakes may not always be the solution. Especially if they are looking to run this kit with stock or slightly larger tires. I have no idea of their setup so I only made assumptions.

Bigger / better brakes certainly won't make a difference in rain or snow (or other hazardous road conditions) if you don't know how to drive. The TJ can be especially dangerous since it doesn't have ABS, and the brakes will just lock up. If you know how to power brake, you can get around this to some degree.

But yeah, doesn't matter how good your brakes are, the road conditions can change all of that.

 

[kanas27]

You'll be happy with this kit. I have the 17" kit now, so even a bigger improvement over this one!

I am not sure if I will be upgrading my rims. If this was going to be in my plans, i'd plan for this kit instead of the super 16" kit

 

[kanas27]

Bigger / better brakes certainly won't make a difference in rain or snow (or other hazardous road conditions) if you don't know how to drive. The TJ can be especially dangerous since it doesn't have ABS, and the brakes will just lock up. If you know how to power brake, you can get around this to some degree.

But yeah, doesn't matter how good your brakes are, the road conditions can change all of that.

...TRUE, i wasn't commenting about the ability to brake in hazardous conditions, more over that I have a lack of braking power.

 

[Chris]

...TRUE, i wasn't commenting about the ability to brake in hazardous conditions, more over that I have a lack of braking power.

Oh yeah, I know that. I was just responding to the other person who had brought that up.

 

[JMT]

This review reads like a marriage report. Week 1 was okay. Week two was better. Etc...etc...I think you need help Chris.

 

[Wade Durbin]

Chris,

What kind of brake lines did you use? I'm installing a 4 inch lift soon and will most likely order a kit for the 15 inch wheels (33x10.5x15 tires) I assume I'll need longer brake lines too to go with the kit. Nobody really mentions the lines though. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[mrblaine]

Chris,

What kind of brake lines did you use? I'm installing a 4 inch lift soon and will most likely order a kit for the 15 inch wheels (33x10.5x15 tires) I assume I'll need longer brake lines too to go with the kit. Nobody really mentions the lines though. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

I'm fond of the Dorman 4" extended OEM style lines.

 

[Chris]

Chris,

What kind of brake lines did you use? I'm installing a 4 inch lift soon and will most likely order a kit for the 15 inch wheels (33x10.5x15 tires) I assume I'll need longer brake lines too to go with the kit. Nobody really mentions the lines though. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

On this setup I was using the factory brake lines. But I would go with @mrblaine's suggestion for the Dorman 4" extended OEM style lines.

 

[Wade Durbin]

I'm fond of the Dorman 4" extended OEM style lines.

Awesome, thanks for the suggestion! I'll probably be consulting with you sometime in the near future when I order my kit. I know I read in a thread that one of your kits is probably overkill for only running 33 tires but I tend to drive faster than most and I'm hard on the brakes at times.

 

[Captain Phoenix]

It will probably be overkill for my LJ on 35" tires but I'm probably going to upgrade to 17" rims and buy the 17" kit. It's not a lot more money and especially when I go to the mountains I want all the brakes possible.

 

[Steel City 06]

It will probably be overkill for my LJ on 35" tires but I'm probably going to upgrade to 17" rims and buy the 17" kit. It's not a lot more money and especially when I go to the mountains I want all the brakes possible.

I’m running the Super 16 kit, which is basically the 17” kit with a slightly smaller rotor. I am happy with it for 35s. Make sure you get BMB pads for the rear because it will bias your brakes significantly to the front.
In the event that it does end up being too much, you can buy a set of Posi-Quiet pads to put in.

 

[mrblaine]

It will probably be overkill for my LJ on 35" tires but I'm probably going to upgrade to 17" rims and buy the 17" kit. It's not a lot more money and especially when I go to the mountains I want all the brakes possible.

You do realize that kit will lock up 40" tires with ease, right?

 

[Apparition]

It will probably be overkill for my LJ on 35" tires but I'm probably going to upgrade to 17" rims and buy the 17" kit. It's not a lot more money and especially when I go to the mountains I want all the brakes possible.

Why 17” rims for 35’s?

I have the 16” BBK in my 15” wheels and they have no problem handling a 35. 17’s may not be necessary.

 

[mrblaine]

Why 17” rims for 35’s?

I have the 16” BBK in my 15” wheels and they have no problem handling a 35. 17’s may not be necessary.

I'm working with a customer who has had several bouts of bad luck with his rig. 2 sets of knuckles so far and about to buy a 3rd. He has the 16" kit. With the new parts he will need, he is very close to the 17" kit I'd like to see him run after it was finally revealed that he is running 37's and while the 16" kit will lock them up, it isn't something I'd recommend.

 

[Apparition]

I'm working with a customer who has had several bouts of bad luck with his rig. 2 sets of knuckles so far and about to buy a 3rd. He has the 16" kit. With the new parts he will need, he is very close to the 17" kit I'd like to see him run after it was finally revealed that he is running 37's and while the 16" kit will lock them up, it isn't something I'd recommend.

I’m all for 17” wheels for 37’s. But if you aren’t going larger than 35, I’d stick to 15” wheels.

 

[toximus]

I own what is essentially the 17" kit on both of my Jeeps, one with 35s and the other with 37s, and just by looking at the rotors it's clear that pairing tires with the correct size kit makes a difference. The Jeep with 37s keeps the rotors well broken in and the Jeep with 35s does not as much and occasionally benefits from spirited braking to keep them broken in. The brakes on the Jeep with 37s also have a more linear response.

 

[toximus]

I’m all for 17” wheels for 37’s. But if you aren’t going larger than 35, I’d stick to 15” wheels.

It's become increasingly difficult to find good 35s for a 15" rim.