Should I remove my ABS or not?

[TJBob]

Hey guys! I have a 99 TJ 4.0 5 speed. 4” lift on 35’s.

This is my first Jeep with ABS and I don’t particularly care for it. I find myself pumping the brakes every time I slide, and it kicks on. Old habits die hard I guess.

my Jeep ABS seems to kick in excessively. Rolling up to a stop sign after a light rain, going about 10mph, hit the brakes and there it is. Just freaks me out, pumping or damn near standing on the pedal trying to get it shut down. Not sure if it has anything to do with stock brakes and running 35’s. I have no ABS light on, and I know it works because it kicks on from time to time after a car wash. So faulty ABS seems to be a non issue....

So should I leave it alone, or remove it completely? Also if I were to choose to remove it, what all is involved?

I will be replacing all the brake lines, and both master cylinders soon anyway. Just wondering if I will need to replace the PCM and what to do with the sensors? Will a big brake kit and maybe a rear disc conversion be a better route?

I’m sure this has been discussed in the past, so a link would suffice as well. Thanks in advance!

 

[Steel City 06]

You might be able to simply pull the ABS fuse to temporarily disable the ABS. Correct me if I’m wrong

 

[Chris]

You might be able to simply pull the ABS fuse to temporarily disable the ABS. Correct me if I’m wrong

I've never owned a TJ with ABS (the Rubicon models don't have ABS), but I believe this is correct.

I don't think you'd need to replace the PCM, I doubt that's the issue.

@mrblaine might have some more knowledge here about what's going on. I have no experience with the ABS system, on a TJ.

 

[mrblaine]

Hey guys! I have a 99 TJ 4.0 5 speed. 4” lift on 35’s.

This is my first Jeep with ABS and I don’t particularly care for it. I find myself pumping the brakes every time I slide, and it kicks on. Old habits die hard I guess.

my Jeep ABS seems to kick in excessively. Rolling up to a stop sign after a light rain, going about 10mph, hit the brakes and there it is. Just freaks me out, pumping or damn near standing on the pedal trying to get it shut down. Not sure if it has anything to do with stock brakes and running 35’s. I have no ABS light on, and I know it works because it kicks on from time to time after a car wash. So faulty ABS seems to be a non issue....

So should I leave it alone, or remove it completely? Also if I were to choose to remove it, what all is involved?

I will be replacing all the brake lines, and both master cylinders soon anyway. Just wondering if I will need to replace the PCM and what to do with the sensors? Will a big brake kit and maybe a rear disc conversion be a better route?

I’m sure this has been discussed in the past, so a link would suffice as well. Thanks in advance!

It can easily be removed. No PCM needed to do so, just pull the fuses and remove the unit under the booster. After that, you will need to acquire the port adapter for the combo block to add the other front brake line to the block which is nothing but a Tee at that end of the block. Move the rear line from the ABS pump to the front of the combo block and that is about it.

Basically 1 line for each the front and rear come out of the combo block and go to the pump. Out of the pump, you have both front lines and one rear line. Those need to hook up to the combo block and eliminate the short lines from the block to the pump. One port is plugged at the back of the block. It will need to be converted to a port adapter to thread the other front hard line into.

 

[TJBob]

It can easily be removed. No PCM needed to do so, just pull the fuses and remove the unit under the booster. After that, you will need to acquire the port adapter for the combo block to add the other front brake line to the block which is nothing but a Tee at that end of the block. Move the rear line from the ABS pump to the front of the combo block and that is about it.

Basically 1 line for each the front and rear come out of the combo block and go to the pump. Out of the pump, you have both front lines and one rear line. Those need to hook up to the combo block and eliminate the short lines from the block to the pump. One port is plugged at the back of the block. It will need to be converted to a port adapter to thread the other front hard line into.

Thanks for the info brother! After removing the pump, can I also remove the sensors on the knuckles, or are they needed for another function?

Also, as far as the block goes... you mentioned I need the port adapter to add the other front brake line. Can I order a block specifically for non ABS that has all the ports I need, or is it the same block just with the adapter?

 

[mrblaine]

Thanks for the info brother! After removing the pump, can I also remove the sensors on the knuckles, or are they needed for another function?

Also, as far as the block goes... you mentioned I need the port adapter to add the other front brake line. Can I order a block specifically for non ABS that has all the ports I need, or is it the same block just with the adapter?

You can order a Non ABS block but it is the same internally with only the addition of the threaded port adapter in place of the port plug to make it Non ABS.

Sensors are only for ABS and serve no other function except to keep dirt and muck out of the brake internals if you leave the hole open.

 

[TJBob]

Gotcha man! Thanks again!

 

[Jerry Bransford]

There's no need to actually remove the ABS system, that's a lot of work. I just disabled my ABS by pulling a relay after replacing my ABS Dana 35 with a non-ABS Dana 44. No change to the braking whatsoever, the ABS just won't activate. A benefit to leaving the disabled ABS system in place is that it can make it a more attractive vehicle to a future buyer.

 

[TJBob]

There's no need to actually remove the ABS system, that's a lot of work. I just disabled my ABS by pulling a relay after replacing my ABS Dana 35 with a non-ABS Dana 44. No change to the braking whatsoever, the ABS just won't activate. A benefit to leaving the disabled ABS system in place is that it can make it a more attractive vehicle to a future buyer.

Seeing how I hate the ABS, and I’m going to be doing all new brake lines anyway I don’t see how keeping it in the Jeep would be benificial to me. If I ever decide to sell, I’ll just throw the ABS pump in the back seat, inform new owner of the mod, and the new owner can re-install it if they choose. I’d like to open up the tray for possible future mods as well.

Seeing the description that @mrblaine was kind enough to share, really don’t seem like much extra work, when I’m already going to have all the lines disconnected already anyhow.

Unless there is something I’m missing? Is there some difference in a Dana 30 or Dana 35 that is equipped with ABS vs a Dana 30 or Dana 35 that is not equipped? Other than the collar the sensor reads, are the axles different? Is there a reason I couldn’t use non ABS axles after the ABS has been removed?

I ask because a RGA S35 kit is the next big mod in line. (Still undecided on lockers by the way).

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Other than tone wheels being on the axle shafts for the ABS system, there's no other difference in the axles. The presence of tone wheels on any of the axle shafts once the ABS system has been removed or disabled is a non-issue.

 

[TJBob]

Other than tone wheels being on the axle shafts for the ABS system, there's no other difference in the axles. The presence of tone wheels on any of the axle shafts once the ABS system has been removed or disabled is a non-issue.

Ok cool. Had me spooked for a min lol! Thanks for your input. Much appreciated!

 

[DaveEllis540]

Ok cool. Had me spooked for a min lol! Thanks for your input. Much appreciated!

Did you end up doing this? If so can I see a pic of how you ran the lines?

 

[hosejockey61]

There's no need to actually remove the ABS system, that's a lot of work. I just disabled my ABS by pulling a relay after replacing my ABS Dana 35 with a non-ABS Dana 44. No change to the braking whatsoever, the ABS just won't activate. A benefit to leaving the disabled ABS system in place is that it can make it a more attractive vehicle to a future buyer.

Unless you need the room under the hood. I hate having it block the tray.

 

[Modoc Guy]

That’s what was done to my 02 TJ by the PO.

Relay, fuses were pulled. There’s a sensor or something around the steering column that was unplugged. The pickups at the wheels were removed.

And the actual pump unit was left in place. It’s removal is one of my future projects. It’s a good place for an onboard compressor I hear.

The brakes work fine in that configuration, no issues with a delete like that.

 

[scottgraham]

I have the ABS fuse pulled in my Taco, I was tired of sliding through stop signs that I could have come to a complete stop on my own.
One word of warning, if you pull the fuse and/ or delete the ABS system, and your insurance (VIN) says you have ABS if you get in an accident be prepared for them not to pay out.

 

[Modoc Guy]

I have the ABS fuse pulled in my Taco, I was tired of sliding through stop signs that I could have come to a complete stop on my own.
One word of warning, if you pull the fuse and/ or delete the ABS system, and your insurance (VIN) says you have ABS if you get in an accident be prepared for them not to pay out.

That’s true. Didn’t think about that. Didn’t matter on my TJ, it was done before I bought it, but good point.

Does anyone know where in the VIN that would be called out?

 

[scottgraham]

You can pull the build sheet from the resources pages.