Just got home from doing some shopping and registering for First Aid/CPR classes at the local Red Cross. While on the off-ramp exit lane from the freeway, I finally got my first, very unplanned chance to do an emergency stop with the Montero since doing the V6 brake upgrade.

I had just got done merging into that lane to exit the freeway, so I found myself a little close for comfort to the rear of the van in front of me and was trying to back off.

Just as I'd completed the merge, for whatever reason (probably a driver a few cars ahead of me wasn't paying attention), the three or four cars in front of me all locked up their brakes (tire smoke everywhere). That van directly in front of me locked up all four tires and started skiddering sideways. As such, I had to lock my tires up as well (and they did lock up).

It was a good thing I locked up my 33x12.5 tires on dry pavement as well, else I'd have probably plowed into that van.

I will say, though, that the lack of having no swaybar installed made the experience more exciting than it needed to be. It was a good thing the entire event occurred on a straight-away, otherwise I'd have probably rolled it. As it was, I found that my truck was body-rolling from side to side through the portions where my tires weren't locked while I was micro-steering through the stop.

As I've mentioned before, When I did the upgrade, I only changed the caliper brackets and got replacement shields, new (bigger) rotors, and new calipers (88s have the same calipers as the Gen I V6s). I did not change the master cylinder/booster.

When the time comes to get new tires, and if I decide to go with 35s, I'll definitely go with the V6 master cylinder/booster and probably the Gen II calipers.

It's worth noting that I am confident that if I'd still had the 88 rotors instead, I am positive I'd have not been able to stop near as effectively, riding on my current tires, and would likely have been in an accident (the Don bumper would have been made short work of that van).

glad your OK devildog!


cjm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

Thanks! I'm not quite ready to join Chesty Puller for drinks just yet! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

You got me thinking about upgrading the braking system while I got the motor out. Mine is an 88 swb, so I should be looking for gen2 calibers and a V6 auto master cylinder?

I don't know if it makes a difference whether you get the master/booster from an auto or manual truck.

Your calipers are already the same type as used in the Gen I V6 trucks. You can stick with that, if you like, but you'd need the Gen I V6 rotors, caliper brackets, and dust shields.

For any Gen II brake upgrades, search the board. I haven't done any research on it yet, so I don't know the details, but I know others have. I believe all that's needed is calipers and caliper-brackets, and some minor brake-line modification, but I don't know for sure. Here's a starting point:

http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB69&Number=1013083

EDIT: My brakes are fine now as they are, since I can lock up 33x12.5 M/Ts on dry pavement. I'm only contemplating upgrading from what I currently have if I move up to 35s.

Since your's is an 88 as well, it has the 4-banger engine as well. I wouldn't move up to anything more than 33s unless you've upgraded the front axles and front diff to the V6 axles and diff and swapped your diff gearing to 5.29s (both of which I've done).

Yes, you could put in a bigger engine, but your front axles and diff likely would come apart if you had 35s. Heck, you might break a rear axle also. That's why I'm staying with the 4-banger. It drives fine on the highway with the gearing I have, and it has plenty of torque on the trail, but it's not so much power that it hammers my drive-train to pieces.

Inspect your rubber hoses. When a lady pulled out in front of me, I smashed the brake petal on my 91 as hard as I could. After that , one of the hoses had an egg in it. The hoses were probably 3-4 years old I think.

I don't have rubber hoses. Three years ago I swapped all my brake hoses out with brand-new extended steel-braid brake lines.

isnt that exactly what you dont want?

Yes, you are correct, however, knowing I can lock them up is a far cry better than what I had before. Locking them up will stop me faster than not having the power to overcome the tire-size and stop me at all. That's why I said I didn't skid through the whole thing...I ease off when they do lock up, then back on 'em more. These trucks weren't built with anti-lock brakes.

If you ever have to do a stop like this with a Gen I 4-banger (particularly an 87 or earlier), 33" tires, and stock brakes, you'll know what I mean.

knowing you are from colorado, I was scared to even read this thread