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Brake master upgrade for 97+
- Thread starter Alboy97XJ
- Start date
tbburg
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Scottsdale AZ
The 97-up already has a upgraded master cylinder/booster. Generally people retrofit this unit to the earlier rigs as an upgrade. The usual upgrade for the 97+ is the brakes themselves: Rear discs, GC dual piston calipers up front.
VAhasnoWAVES
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Lake City, Mi
Are you looking to "upgrade" to solve a problem or "upgrade" because your bored?
I run the stock master/booster than came factory in my 97, on half ton calipers all the way around. While there is a little to be desired. It's still capable of locking up all 4 on the street.
I run the stock master/booster than came factory in my 97, on half ton calipers all the way around. While there is a little to be desired. It's still capable of locking up all 4 on the street.
cruiser54
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Prescott, Az
Isn't there something about using a Dodge truck or Durango master cylinder with a different bore?
tbburg
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Scottsdale AZ
There's a Durango steering box retrofit, but I've never heard of a MC swap. Like I said, for the '97-up, the brakes themselves are the limiting hardware.
- Location
- WA state
I think Jon did something similar or at least tried. I want to say it was either the bigger bore Durango MC or Dodge 2500?
cruiser54
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Prescott, Az
That's what's tickling my memory banks.......
- Location
- Lakeside, CA
No upgrades for 95+, all are dual diaphragm boosters and 1" master cylinder. Even the WJ is 1" master cylinder. The upgrades are going to be at the axle with stuff like WJ brakes or ZJ/Explorer rear discs.
VAhasnoWAVES
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Lake City, Mi
The 2500 master is a larger bore master. It's an almost bolt on swap. But I wouldn't recommend it unless your running some serious sized brakes.
turbobrick
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Carson City, Nevada
There is a huge thread on Pirate.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=575345
I sifted through all of it and decided on the '98 Ram 2500 MC with GC proportioning valve. At the time I had stock front ('99 XJ) brakes and GC rear disc conversion. It worked well, but that was too much master cylinder. I had the nice Hawk pads, but parts house calipers. Now, I have 1/2 ton Chevy calipers at all 4 corners with a Willwood adjustable proportioning valve, and the MC is perfect. I can lock up all 4 or modulate easily, even with cheap pads.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=575345
I sifted through all of it and decided on the '98 Ram 2500 MC with GC proportioning valve. At the time I had stock front ('99 XJ) brakes and GC rear disc conversion. It worked well, but that was too much master cylinder. I had the nice Hawk pads, but parts house calipers. Now, I have 1/2 ton Chevy calipers at all 4 corners with a Willwood adjustable proportioning valve, and the MC is perfect. I can lock up all 4 or modulate easily, even with cheap pads.
Re: Re: Brake master upgrade for 97+
I think i got your old hawk pads! I remember getting a bunch of parts from ya!
turbobrick
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Carson City, Nevada
I think you got the parts house pads in the Hawk boxes. 
. The Hawk pads went with the axles, and I assume Skipper is still using them. I did just get another set of Hawks though, for our new 'snow' XJ.
. The Hawk pads went with the axles, and I assume Skipper is still using them. I did just get another set of Hawks though, for our new 'snow' XJ.yossarian19
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Grass Valley, CA
I was running the stock MC / booster with WJ front brakes and ZJ rear. It worked really, really well - and was the same size as the WJ uses. 1".
The MC started failing on me and I put a Durango MC, 1 1/8". Pedal was more immediate, feel was improved, modulation improved - but it definitely took more pedal effort to achieve the same amount of braking.
With ABS playing nanny, it makes perfect sense that the factory opted for 1" MC. Easy to achieve heavy braking & the ABS can "modulate" as needed.
The MC started failing on me and I put a Durango MC, 1 1/8". Pedal was more immediate, feel was improved, modulation improved - but it definitely took more pedal effort to achieve the same amount of braking.
With ABS playing nanny, it makes perfect sense that the factory opted for 1" MC. Easy to achieve heavy braking & the ABS can "modulate" as needed.
John D
NAXJA Member # 788
- Location
- Rockford, Mi
I did the 2500/3500 Dodge MC. $63 for a new MC at Advance and it took an hour and a half only because I was taking pictures. I wish I'd done years before.
- Location
- Virginia City, NV
Got a write up on that install john?
VAhasnoWAVES
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Lake City, Mi
John D
NAXJA Member # 788
- Location
- Rockford, Mi
Thanks Walt. My memory was off a little, but it's still an awesome upgrade. Two hours and $70.
