What did you do???

[HeavyMetal72]

OK, I've read all there is to read, and I have searched all there is to search........I still can't decide which way I want to go!!
I'm doing a disk conversion on my 14bff. Trying to decide if I should use the Eldorado calipers or the 3/4 ton front calipers.
I like the ebrake on the Eldorado calipers, but those that have used them say they suck. The K5 is not a DD and there are no vehicle inspections, just thinking about the added safety of ebrakes.
Your thoughts and experiences with the Eldorado calipers would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Recon!]

I have the eldo calipers, but they are not on yet. If I had seen the HAD driveline e-brake before I ponied the cash for these, I would have gone with the 3/4 ton calipers. But I have inspections to deal with since I want this thing to be street legal. If it were trail only I probably wouldn't run one.

 

[HeavyMetal72]

Just got off HAD website........ TSM wants $320 for a pair of their calipers, so the cost is about the same. I wonder how effective the HAD brake is..... would it stop a K5 in the event of an emergency???

 

[4X4HIGH]

Just got off HAD website........ TSM wants $320 for a pair of their calipers, so the cost is about the same. I wonder how effective the HAD brake is..... would it stop a K5 in the event of an emergency???

These style of "e-brakes" really are meant as a parking brake. Anything is better than nothing though if you lose the hydraulic side of things. I have heard that the HAD brake doesn't work very good. If you think about it, when you use a caliper style e-brake you have twice the holding power over the HAD brake since you're applying force to two calipers instead of one.

 

[HeavyMetal72]

Very true. I think that the Eldo calipers will work fine. Many of the articles I have read said that the Eldo ebrakes work fine as long as you engage them frequently..........

 

[rdn2blazer]

For temporary use only a line lock works too. Just don't like the idea of having to plum break line into the truck to use one. Unless there is an electronic one available? I have the HAD, I will use it, as Scott said, it's better then nothing. Might do a line lock too since I have two of them. Just as you said OP, Eldo's seem to bgring the suck from what every body has said as far as E brake goes.

 

[sweetk30]

old mech line lock is nice.

but most states with inspection laws require mech park brake seperate from hydrolic system so this would not work.

 

[Vee]

Unless there is an electronic one available?

there is....http://www.mico.com/products/images/145_docfile.pdf
pretty pricey tho, but looks easy to install

I decided to go with a ball valve line lock set-up. my rigs not a DD and no inspections here, plus I've also heard that the eldo set-up isn't very good, but it is pricey and I didn't want to spend that kind of money on something that might not work that well.

more info
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=855487

here's the valve I'm going to use, only $20 http://www.sardesonracing.com/page 047.htm

 

[ktmoutfront]

$4 ball valve and a couple of fittings. Ran the rear line into the cab. Have used it for 6 years. No inspections here either.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

For temporary use only a line lock works too. Just don't like the idea of having to plum break line into the truck to use one. Unless there is an electronic one available?

I run an electric line lock, IIRC it was like $30 from Jegs. Works great, holds very strong, I've left it on for days (accidentally) and it was still holding strong.

I have heard that the HAD brake doesn't work very good. If you think about it, when you use a caliper style e-brake you have twice the holding power over the HAD brake since you're applying force to two calipers instead of one.

These are the t-case mounted ones? Remember that they are upstream of the ring and pinion gearing, which means they are 4.xx (or whatever your gear ratio is) times more effective. The downside is that the pinion spins much faster than the wheels so its easy to overheat a t-case mounted rotor. Pinion brakes (or t-case mounted brakes) are VERY effective but they don't do well on the street because they overheat very easily.

Very true. I think that the Eldo calipers will work fine. Many of the articles I have read said that the Eldo ebrakes work fine as long as you engage them frequently..........

I've known several people that went that route and all hated them and eventually went with something else. I've heard of people having good luck with them though...

 

[4X4HIGH]

These are the t-case mounted ones? Remember that they are upstream of the ring and pinion gearing, which means they are 4.xx (or whatever your gear ratio is) times more effective. The downside is that the pinion spins much faster than the wheels so its easy to overheat a t-case mounted rotor. Pinion brakes (or t-case mounted brakes) are VERY effective but they don't do well on the street because they overheat very easily.

Keep in mind the surface area of the pad on each style of e-brake along with the surface area of the rotor that each is applying against. The HAD e-brake has a very small pad and a very thin solid rotor versus a much larger pad and a thick vented rotor.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Keep in mind the surface area of the pad on each style of e-brake along with the surface area of the rotor that each is applying against. The HAD e-brake has a very small pad and a very thin solid rotor versus a much larger pad and a thick vented rotor.

Oh, definitely, of course that plays a huge role just like it does with any brake.

The one case that I really know of where this kind of thing happens with driveline brakes is with pinion brakes on Rockwells. They work great on the trail but on the street they turn bright red and fail with any kind of prolonged stop.

Also, they can do some weird things with an open diff, such as the brake locks up (pinion not moving) but one tire will spin one way and the other spins the other way (believe it or not this does happen, and once each tire is spinning like this the truck is not going to stop in a hurry).