No sir I never did. This is my BMB experience.
2025 ROTY big brake install and review
- Thread starter John Cooper
- Start date
No sir I never did. This is my BMB experience.
Put another way, you didn't really give a shit about your brakes until something free comes along. That's okay, I get it, and there is no reason you should be any different than the other 10,000 folks who can't stop safely.
I feel like a virgin on prom night
Don't blame it on mrblaine. His instructions warn you.
That's putting words in my mouth. But that's ok.
I've noticed throughout many years of knowing him (Jeep forums). He's always right and always has proof to back it up. You can't argue with that, although some idiots still try.
Oh im not arguing, about brakes, just don't assume I wasn't already looking at a big brake kit, but I had to take early retirement to take care of my 85 year old Dad, which puts me on a limited income.
How were your brakes and their performance before you opted to install the brake kit? Could you lock them up on pavement at speed with ease? How did they react in a panic stop? When is the last time you did a full fluid flush as part of your brake system maintenance?
None of those are pointing fingers in hopes of rendering some sort of judgement. If you are different than most all the other folks I deal with daily, then good on ya and I'll be very pleasantly surprised.
But, most folks fully ignore their brakes as long as they do something when they mash on the pedal. Then I get the phone call or email wanting to know if they should do pads or a brake kit. My question is always the same, how close to lock up are you now? The answer is always the same, no idea. Well go find out and get back to me so we at least have some basis to continue the discussion.
speeding_infraction
TJ Addict
I stay on top of brake maintenance, last flush was 6 months ago when I replaced rotors and pads all around and both front calipers.
Brakes are and have been a pet peave of mine due to driving a class 8 truck for 10 years, all drum brakes, plus growing up on drum brakes and suicide master cylinders.
I honestly can't tell you if my Jeep would have locked up the brakes before, and I've never had to do a panic stop in this Jeep. If its like any of the others I've owned no it wouldn't lock up 33's at all.
Now I don't worry because after the second hard brake on the way to the store it locked them up.
Thanks again for all you do and have done.
Sorry I'm ill today, been up all night with my Dad and watching him.
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I had the BMB pads and rotors first. They were a huge improvement over auto store parts.
What pushed me over to the big brake kit was Moab. I have a manual and occasionally stall on a hill. Moab has some pretty steep hills.
I found that without the engine running I didn't have sufficient braking power to hold me on the slope until I could restart the engine.
The big brake kit is excellent. I feel a lot more confident with emergency stops and the pedal feel is more early engagement of the brakes instead of a slower engagement curve with the smaller calipers.
I haven't Moab tested the kit...but I have a steep driveway and it's a huge improvement to engine off holding power.
I'm still working towards installing an iBooster. That will give me electrically booster instead of vacuum boosted brakes and therefore work when I stall the engine. I need to build an adapter plate. Thinking 3/8 aluminum with the bolt patterns for both the stock booster to secure the plate and pedal box and holes for the iBooster platform. I need to brush up on my CAD and use something like Send Cut Send...or do my usual butchery with a plasma cutter, grinder and drill press.
-Mac
What pushed me over to the big brake kit was Moab. I have a manual and occasionally stall on a hill. Moab has some pretty steep hills.
I found that without the engine running I didn't have sufficient braking power to hold me on the slope until I could restart the engine.
The big brake kit is excellent. I feel a lot more confident with emergency stops and the pedal feel is more early engagement of the brakes instead of a slower engagement curve with the smaller calipers.
I haven't Moab tested the kit...but I have a steep driveway and it's a huge improvement to engine off holding power.
I'm still working towards installing an iBooster. That will give me electrically booster instead of vacuum boosted brakes and therefore work when I stall the engine. I need to build an adapter plate. Thinking 3/8 aluminum with the bolt patterns for both the stock booster to secure the plate and pedal box and holes for the iBooster platform. I need to brush up on my CAD and use something like Send Cut Send...or do my usual butchery with a plasma cutter, grinder and drill press.
-Mac
Quick update after my trip to the store yesterday, I can honestly say my brakes will lock down 33 12.50 15.
Couldn't say that before because I never tried it and was never put in the position to have to lock them up.
After this storm passes through I'm going to take it for another break in run and will update again.
Couldn't say that before because I never tried it and was never put in the position to have to lock them up.
After this storm passes through I'm going to take it for another break in run and will update again.
Not to put too fine of a point on it, but that is the exact purpose of a review and evaluation.
Once you get more familiar and comfortable with the big brakes you should discover a new ability to modulate and control the brakes in ways you couldn't before. On mine going 70+ mph, I can quickly bring the tires into light squeal at the very edge of losing traction and hold that down to a slow speed all through controlling the brake pedal during a rapid deceleration.
This is just one of Blaine's several special recipes that enable you to drive a Jeep with big tires hard in ways that should not be possible.
Another update, drove the Jeep today in the pouring down rain, which i have done numerous times. Let's just say the difference in the OEM braking and the BMB braking is night and day.
OEM put your foot on the brake pedal and press, slowing down and after 40-50 feet stop at the sign.
BMB driving the same way today, ease my foot on the pedal and stopped 15-20 feet from the sign.
It's like the rain water doesn't affect them as much, don't know if anybody else has noticed this or not.
@mrblaine
@macleanflood ???.??
OEM put your foot on the brake pedal and press, slowing down and after 40-50 feet stop at the sign.
BMB driving the same way today, ease my foot on the pedal and stopped 15-20 feet from the sign.
It's like the rain water doesn't affect them as much, don't know if anybody else has noticed this or not.
@mrblaine
@macleanflood ???.??
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speeding_infraction
TJ Addict
Man, I should unfollow this thread. It makes me want to either buy a big brake kit or buy the premium membership, sink my jeep, and win ROTY so I can get a free pair
Man, I should unfollow this thread. It makes me want to either buy a big brake kit or buy the premium membership, sink my jeep, and win ROTY so I can get a free pair
Your young, buy them, buy them!!!!!
I was looking at them and had them on my list of upgrades to buy. I had already paid for the Springs and skidplate when I had to retire, as I slowly save what I can, next is the Barnes engine skid and a WRG body lift.
You are very welcome to try that. I think you'll discover that in the end, it wouldn't be worth it.buy the premium membership, sink my jeep, and win ROTY so I can get a free pair