We're using 1995-2000 Ford Explorer 4x4 dual piston calipers, rotors, pads, bracket. The knuckle has been modified to accept it all. We removed the inherent weakness to the knuckles then reinforced them where we mount the new calipers.
We're now on our 7th or 8th set of pads in testing. We supplied the first hundred or so kits with Performance Friction carbon metallic pads, they're fine but need to be heated a bit to work to their full potential. The Hawks have faired the worst, we've been reading up on them as much as you guys have and had high hopes. I haven't decided if we'll post the full testing of all the pads, but rest assured the tests are severe. We're currently using a Ceramic pad that has performed very well in all conditions (wet, cold, down Big Bear Mountain etc). We still have many pads we're testing, everything Vanco does is an ongoing process to improve.
We have also tested slotted rotors. The rotor we used is the exact same rotor we have been using in all our kits and all our testing. The only difference was it was slotted (I stress, the only difference). All we did was remove the standard rotors and put on the slotted, everything else stayed the same. We used the exact same break in procedure we used for every test, all constants nothing is done differently. The results killed the brake kit, it felt like it was back to pre Vanco brakes. There was nothing we could do to get constant great brakes back again. Fearing something went wrong we put the old rotors back on, immediately getting back awesome brakes that can put you through the windshield.
We'll still be testing slotted rotors, after talks with the manufacturers they have recommended two other types of pads. We'll be trying them, at this time however I am recommending no slotted rotors until we find something that works at least as well as what we're using now. We have our thoughts on why they failed so bad and intend on solving it.
This kit is locking up TJ, XJs, ZJs etc with stock brakes running 33-37 inch tires. No other mods are done, stock booster, master, proportioning valves etc. YJs running the stock single diaphragm brake booster and 35+ size tires may need a bigger booster. The "53guy" was a YJ guy.
I mention the testing we have done for a few reasons. One of course is to let you know Vanco is always striving to better themselves, even when they have a kit with a 100% satisfaction rating. The other is to show you the results we get using other parts not recommended by us. With the results we have from Hawk Pads and Slotted rotors there's a very real possibility anyone doing that will be very unsatisfied with the kit. I pride myself on keeping my customers happy, I don't feel my knuckles with this kind of set up would make anyone happy.
At this time I am selling it as a kit only. That may change in the future as nothing is set in stone. I hope you guys understand. We will strive to get a set of slotted rotors and pads working up to our standards and I will let you know when we do.
Note: I am not a Vendor on this board, however I have PMed who I think is in charge of that to fix it. I don't like to "pimp" my product like this unless I am a vendor, however I did want to answer the questions.
