33s M/T - Questions

[Riff Raff]

Riff,

Do you think the R1 cross-drilled/slotted "premium" rotors (http://www.r1concepts.com/isuzu-vehi...999-brakes.htm) with some new pads be enough of an upgrade to the brakes to handle the larger wheel & tire load I'm considering, or is there more to it?

I'm not really a brake guy, but any improvement over the stock OEM brakes would be just that-- "an improvement". I would defer any brake questions to our "Big Tire Club" guys like L-Dub, LittleBeast, JoFotoz, and Tom4Bren. Those folks can attest to the effects of using huge heavy tires more than anyone on this site.

My advice would not even venture into troubled waters if you don't have to and try to limit your maximum wheel/tire combination weight to a target of 72 lbs (which is a safe 10 lbs over the '00/'01 VX stock wheel/tire combo). Here are just two(2) examples of the 72 lbs target combo's using both OEM version wheels (16's & 18's):

1999 OEM 16x7 rim (20 lbs) + Yoko - Geolandar M/T+ in 285/75R16 (32.9" O.D./51.6 lbs) = 71.6 lbs

'00/'01 OEM 18x7 rim (28 lbs) + Grabber AT2 in 275/65R18-116S (32.1" O.D./42.6 lbs) = 70.6 lbs

[Vendetta]

Thank you Riff, I'l have a look-see at those combos.

Big Tire guys, any thoughts on those rotors if I _do_ end up going with the 285/65 on the KMC 18s?

Cheers,
-V

[tom4bren]

IMHO, you only need to replace the rotors if yours are bad. The SS brake lines however are a very good idea. Disabling the ABS is also probably a very good idea.

My personal experience is that driving with larger tires requires a wholistic re-learning of your driving style. You don't corner as sharp; you don't stop as fast; you don't start up as fast; you gas up more often; depending on tread design, you'll probably experience more 'wander'; depending on offset, you will probably NEVER drive in the rain with your windows open (even a little). Is it worth it ... you betcha!!! The feel of a VX sitting on big meat just can't be beat.

[samneil2000]

Is it worth it ... you betcha!!! The feel of a VX sitting on big meat just can't be beat.

The "WTF" looks on others' faces and all the questions only increase when you get the VX up in the air.
Of course around here in the south, all I hear is "you ever get that thang in the mud?"

[Ldub]

Thank you Riff, I'l have a look-see at those combos.

Big Tire guys, any thoughts on those rotors if I _do_ end up going with the 285/65 on the KMC 18s?

Cheers,
-V

These don't look too bad...http://cgi.ebay.com/2-FRONT-2-REAR-P...item415b8c189e

These look good too...http://cgi.ebay.com/PREMIUM-SERIES-P...item5ae177a0f8

Though I have no personal experience with those particular vendors. I purchased mine from Magnum on ebay, though I can't currently find them there.
IMO, slotted is unnecessary, if slotting really improved stopping dist, you'd see them on race cars.

IMHO, you only need to replace the rotors if yours are bad. The SS brake lines however are a very good idea. Disabling the ABS is also probably a very good idea.

My personal experience is that driving with larger tires requires a wholistic re-learning of your driving style. You don't corner as sharp; you don't stop as fast; you don't start up as fast; you gas up more often; depending on tread design, you'll probably experience more 'wander'; depending on offset, you will probably NEVER drive in the rain with your windows open (even a little). Is it worth it ... you betcha!!! The feel of a VX sitting on big meat just can't be beat.

X a factor of 2...

[Vendetta]

Thanks Ldub! As always, the tips are appreciated. That second link you pulled from Ebay are from R1, which are the same as I was looking at direct from their site. So we're converging on the same products, which tells me they're not a bad way to go.

Believe it or not though, it's cheaper to get them directly from the site than through ebay - just in case anyone else is thinking of going this route.

Cheers,
-V

[Etfren]

Ldub, from everything I've read slotting just improves initial bite of the brakes and probably really only helps when the brakes are cool. It also wears out pads faster so for race cars who keep their brakes and tires up to race temp all the time its probably not necessary and not worth the extra wear when you don't want to have to change brakes mid-race.

I'm planning on putting 35's on my truck and since my brakes are bad I've been doing some research to figure out what brakes I want. Think I've decided on drilled R1 rotors up front, regular R1 rotors out back and OEM pads all around with Stainless steel lines from Apex. I've heard good things about the EBC pads though so thats the only thing I haven't settled on is if they are worth it over the OEM's.

[Ldub]

I'm not really a brake guy, but any improvement over the stock OEM brakes would be just that-- "an improvement". I would defer any brake questions to our "Big Tire Club" guys like L-Dub, LittleBeast, JoFotoz, and Tom4Bren. Those folks can attest to the effects of using huge heavy tires more than anyone on this site.

Here are my thoughts on that aspect of the subject...for whatever they're worth...

Around these here parts, EVERYONE, with the exception of a chosen few, re-learns their braking capabilities in a big hurry after the first snowfall...
The chosen few are quickly weeded out of the general driving populace, or are later seen driving rentals/loaners while the results of their inability to adapt are being repaired. (college students from southern states are most susceptible)
IMO, within a few hrs/days of driving on bigger/heavier tire/wheel combinations, you instinctively know that you need to slow it down a little, leave a bigger buffer zone between you & whatever you might be following, & in general, be a bit more aware of what's going on around & in front of you.
I personally have successfully made the transition from summer braking to winter braking almost 30 times, & feel the difference between snow/ice, vs larger/heavier doughnuts, to be a far steeper learning curve...

Just my opine, take it FWIW.

[Ldub]

Ldub, from everything I've read slotting just improves initial bite of the brakes and probably really only helps when the brakes are cool. It also wears out pads faster so for race cars who keep their brakes and tires up to race temp all the time its probably not necessary and not worth the extra wear when you don't want to have to change brakes mid-race.

I'm planning on putting 35's on my truck and since my brakes are bad I've been doing some research to figure out what brakes I want. Think I've decided on drilled R1 rotors up front, regular R1 rotors out back and OEM pads all around with Stainless steel lines from Apex. I've heard good things about the EBC pads though so thats the only thing I haven't settled on is if they are worth it over the OEM's.

OK, I'll buy the initial bite theory, but after your brakes are warmed up, you still have the increased pad wear as a bonus...

Though it may decrease over time as the leading edge becomes dulled...

With the price of OEM pads being what it is, I think I'll stick with drilled only...

[JHarris1385]

UPDATE!

I finally have my newest set up installed.

I bought 5 of each.

The wheels are Black Rocks Dunes - 17''
http://www.blackrockwheels.com/produ...-5/SteelWheels

The tires are 255/75-17 Treadwrights
https://www.treadwright.com/p-76-255...ard-dog-c.aspx

First off, I really like the steel wheels. They look great and have a nice anti-stick like coating on them.

So far the TWs are good as well, only have a couple hundred miles on them but so far great all around. The road noise humming is low and is something I actually like.

[VX KAT]

UPDATE!

I finally have my newest set up installed.

I bought 5 of each.

The wheels are Black Rocks Dunes - 17''
http://www.blackrockwheels.com/produ...-5/SteelWheels

The tires are 255/75-17 Treadwrights
https://www.treadwright.com/p-76-255...ard-dog-c.aspx

First off, I really like the steel wheels. They look great and have a nice anti-stick like coating on them.

So far the TWs are good as well, only have a couple hundred miles on them but so far great all around. The road noise humming is low and is something I actually like.

Looks good, like the "black out" look. I have some smoked Klearz front turn signal lenses I can't decide if I like or not on mine, but think they'd go better with your theme now because of your great contrast with the white....

What kind of mileage life do they claim for the TreadWrights?
(yes, I could look it up, but thought you might know off the top of your head )

[JHarris1385]

Thank you. I need to repaint my corners.

There is a 24K warranty on them but most on pirate or other forums say 50-60K.
@ $108 that is a steal.

I know there are some who don't agree with the retread idea. Personally I don't see an issue.

[JAMAS]

I have some smoked Klearz front turn signal lenses I can't decide if I like or not on mine, but think they'd go better with your theme now because of your great contrast with the white....

Let me know if you want to get rid of those, I might be interested

[tom4bren]

Let me know if you want to get rid of those, I might be interested

Will you ever stop cannibalizing perfectly good VX's???

You're starting to get a little morbid ... you know that, right???

[JAMAS]

Will you ever stop cannibalizing perfectly good VX's???

You're starting to get a little morbid ... you know that, right???

Ha! I'm only after your complete Tone collection.