Brake upgrades??

[MaxCatMDWV]

Stronger brakes (to me) means more "brake torque" applied to the rotor. This can be done (not an exhaustive list) by bigger pads (larger sweep area), more aggressive pads (with more bite), larger diameter rotors and appropriate new caliper holders, or things that increase the amount of pressure that can be applied to the pads (different master cylinder, for example). Heavier but same size brake rotors give the systems a little more thermal capacity, but don't necessarily increase brake bite.

Slotted and/or vented rotors don't do much, if anything. More aggressive pads can help, but usually have some (or all) or the following drawbacks: noisier, more dust, more rotor wear, less bite when cold. Upgrading calipers can be a challenge because the master cylinder "stroke" is designed to move a certain amount of fluid--4 piston calipers (vs a 1 piston caliper) may need more fluid to move those 4 pistons the same amount, thus lengthening the brake pedal travel (which can lead to the perception that the brakes are weaker, even though the brake torque delivered may ultimately be more).

I have 15 years of performance driving instruction experience, and currently live in the Jeep JK world. When I went about upgrading those brakes I searched for a more aggressive pad (I would have been fine with noise, dust, and increased rotor wear). I tried a few and none were really much better than stock. I was hoping to find an aggressive biting track pad but nope. So ended up with Ram 1500 brakes on the front, and a spaced away from centerline caliper and larger diameter rotor in the rear--and the new brakes are awesome. My understanding is that JL brakes were upgraded from the JK, and that the 392 has slightly upgraded brakes from the non-392 Wrangler. But haven't driven one (yet) so no clue if they are adequate.

Would you be willing to put those specs in a list with the part numbers/URLs to help us understand the cost and get them ordered if we want to upgrade?

 

[64Chevy]

Would you be willing to put those specs in a list with the part numbers/URLs to help us understand the cost and get them ordered if we want to upgrade?

Yes, but they are all JK parts, not JL parts (AFAIK) and therefore not 392 parts (again, as far as I know). It was the Mopar Big Brake kit (so this--https://www.morris4x4center.com/mopar-mopar-big-brake-kit-jeep-wrangler-jk-and-unlimited.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwu2Vv6qW9QIV8PbjBx3bKw6fEAQYAiABEgKKTvD_BwE) for the front and the Dynatrac kit for the rear (so kind of this--when I got it when some vendor was offering a kit for the rears only--https://www.dynatrac.com/progrip-brake-system-for-jeep-wrangler-jk.html). I find the balance to be exceptional and in my pig heavy JK I now get enough rotor torque to easily activated the antilock brake system on dry pavement (whereas before I was unable to even my literally standing on the brake pedal).

 

[MaxCatMDWV]

Yes, but they are all JK parts, not JL parts (AFAIK) and therefore not 392 parts (again, as far as I know). It was the Mopar Big Brake kit (so this--https://www.morris4x4center.com/mopar-mopar-big-brake-kit-jeep-wrangler-jk-and-unlimited.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwu2Vv6qW9QIV8PbjBx3bKw6fEAQYAiABEgKKTvD_BwE) for the front and the Dynatrac kit for the rear (so kind of this--when I got it when some vendor was offering a kit for the rears only--https://www.dynatrac.com/progrip-brake-system-for-jeep-wrangler-jk.html). I find the balance to be exceptional and in my pig heavy JK I now get enough rotor torque to easily activated the antilock brake system on dry pavement (whereas before I was unable to even my literally standing on the brake pedal).

Thanks! A good reference for me (us) at least!
Just found it San Diego storage unit broken into so going to go file a massive police report…guess I’ll decrease my Jeep forum bandwidth for a week or two

 

[64Chevy]

Thanks! A good reference for me (us) at least!
Just found it San Diego storage unit broken into so going to go file a massive police report…guess I’ll decrease my Jeep forum bandwidth for a week or two

Sorry, that sucks. Hope the loss is less than you think.

 

[Alksion]

Update from anyone I am looking at various options, but my breakes on my 392 after upgrades are too soft.

 

[jlnike]

I have teraflex delta going on end of this week or early the following with a bunch of other upgrades, I'll report back. Getting them powder coated gold first to match the accent color of the 392 tow hooks first.

 

[Rogue]

I’m a huge fan of EBC. I installed those kits on every vehicle for the last 20+ years. Far better than stock and the same size/fitment. From my racing days to daily drivers, off road rigs, they’ve been fantastic! I have yet to look into EBC for the JL.

I agree with @Jeepstin392 , I upgraded my brakes on the JK and the difference was huge. Also use EBC on a couple of other cars. If your looking for an easy solution to the braking problem, give EBC brakes a try.

I'll be moving to EBC when I move to 37's and lift the Jeep.

 

[ketanladd]

Also throw in this Teraflex delta front&rear brake set: https://www.quadratec.com/p/terafle...MI5erq8bXs9AIVivOzCh2uMwZrEAQYASABEgKQdPD_BwE
(Are you surprised by the weight?)

The first time I learned about they installed on a 392 is from this video:

Another video with more details about this brake design:

I have this full set up on my 392, I also upgraded the pads to EBC blue stuff. (They are stock pads from a 2015 Tundra). The 4 piston calipers all round vs 2 at the front and 1 at the back (stock) just seems insane to me for a car with this much power.

They are brilliant.

 

[Fast-n-Furious]

I have this full set up on my 392, I also upgraded the pads to EBC blue stuff. (They are stock pads from a 2015 Tundra). The 4 piston calipers all round vs 2 at the front and 1 at the back (stock) just seems insane to me for a car with this much power.

They are brilliant.

Awesome! Will be on my list!

 

[Calli74]

I have teraflex delta going on end of this week or early the following with a bunch of other upgrades, I'll report back. Getting them powder coated gold first to match the accent color of the 392 tow hooks first.

Did you ever get this installation completed? Any updates? Pros? Cons? Tips?

 

[BarneyM]

Did you ever get this installation completed? Any updates? Pros? Cons? Tips?

Installed these this past weekend. Install was fairly easy but had to install 1 1/2" spacer to get them to work with my base 392 wheels. Still a tight fit. My wheel offset looks to be about the same now as the XR wheels.

I can now hear my 315/70 KO2's squealing under braking for the first time ever. Really puts the Jeep on it's nose! I am sure they will improve even more after the pads wear in. Very happy with them and definitely a big improvement.

 

[Calli74]

Installed these this past weekend. Install was fairly easy but had to install 1 1/2" spacer to get them to work with my base 392 wheels. Still a tight fit. My wheel offset looks to be about the same now as the XR wheels.

I can now hear my 315/70 KO2's squealing under braking for the first time ever. Really puts the Jeep on it's nose! I am sure they will improve even more after the pads wear in. Very happy with them and definitely a big improvement.

I've got a 2023 392 XR w/stock wheels and 315/70's --- will I need spacers as well?

 

[Viking Jeeper]

Installed these this past weekend. Install was fairly easy but had to install 1 1/2" spacer to get them to work with my base 392 wheels. Still a tight fit. My wheel offset looks to be about the same now as the XR wheels.

I know you are talking about brakes but the above info is what I have been looking for. I cant find a deal on XR wheels and have been wondering if 1 1/2 spacers are deep enough and if they end up making the 392 steel offset about the same as a XR wheel.

Did the original wheel studs stick out a bit but fit in the recess in the back of the wheel?

 

[BarneyM]

I've got a 2023 392 XR w/stock wheels and 315/70's --- will I need spacers as well?

The only way to be sure is to use this template:

 

[BarneyM]

I know you are talking about brakes but the above info is what I have been looking for. I cant find a deal on XR wheels and have been wondering if 1 1/2 spacers are deep enough and if they end up making the 392 steel offset about the same as a XR wheel.

Did the original wheel studs stick out a bit but fit in the recess in the back of the wheel?

The front studs were even with the outside surface of the spacer. The rears stuck out a little but easily fit inside the pockets in the stock wheels.

I used these spacers and only torqued them down to 100 Ft lbs even though the quality looked good.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VBX4QV5?tag=jeep392-20

 

[ketanladd]

Installed these this past weekend. Install was fairly easy but had to install 1 1/2" spacer to get them to work with my base 392 wheels. Still a tight fit. My wheel offset looks to be about the same now as the XR wheels.

I can now hear my 315/70 KO2's squealing under braking for the first time ever. Really puts the Jeep on it's nose! I am sure they will improve even more after the pads wear in. Very happy with them and definitely a big improvement.

I have them and not had a single issue with them. They had to trim the back plate a little but that’s it. Just gone through the first set of front pads too and work perfectly.

 

[Viking Jeeper]

The front studs were even with the outside surface of the spacer. The rears stuck out a little but easily fit inside the pockets in the stock wheels.

I used these spacers and only torqued them down to 100 Ft lbs even though the quality looked good.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VBX4QV5?tag=jeep392-20

Perfect! Thank you.