1 ton brake differences

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John Cunningham

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Can somebody tell me the difference in the 1 ton brakes from a dually front brake to a SRW 1 ton front brake?
I have a k3500 NON dually truck. I look at other trucks that have dual rear wheels and the front rim is quite different as we all know. I am not sure what the reason is for this. Do they have a larger rotor?
Why did GM change the front hub and rotor and then go to a large offset front wheel on a duallyand not the SRW if the rating is the same? Looks like I have 3/4 ton brakes on the K3500
I also read where the Duramax front rotors were larger.
Now everybody complains about the stopping of these GMT400 front brakes even with hydraboost.
Is there a reason or can you go to a 1 ton dually front hub and rotor and larger disc and maybe even change the wheel to an 18 inch if needed and get a larger disc like a 14 inch?
 

454cid

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You likely have SRW JB8 brakes. On the front you can change them to the DRW JB8 brakes. That gets you larger calipers, and thicker rotors. The rotor diameter is the same. You'll want to get the thicker DRW pads too. The 4x4 DRW trucks use a bolt on wheel adapter to accommodate the dually wheels, which we don't need to worry about.

Looking at Rockauto's catalog, it appears that some of the SRW extended cab trucks actually got the larger DRW brakes from the factory. The later G3500 vans did... I've seen that in person.

You mention the Duramax which was never offered in the GMT-400. GMT-800 brakes can be swapped in, but it is not a simple bolt in. It involves more parts along with machining of GMT-800 knuckles.
 

John Cunningham

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You likely have SRW JB8 brakes. On the front you can change them to the DRW JB8 brakes. That gets you larger calipers, and thicker rotors. The rotor diameter is the same. You'll want to get the thicker DRW pads too. The 4x4 DRW trucks use a bolt on wheel adapter to accommodate the dually wheels, which we don't need to worry about.

Looking at Rockauto's catalog, it appears that some of the SRW extended cab trucks actually got the larger DRW brakes from the factory. The later G3500 vans did... I've seen that in person.

You mention the Duramax which was never offered in the GMT-400. GMT-800 brakes can be swapped in, but it is not a simple bolt in. It involves more parts along with machining of GMT-800 knuckles.
Thanks for the input..I did see a 13.5 rotor for a 1997 truck. I also a cummins swap where they said thjey used a duramax brake assembly...just a figure of speech because the duramax was not out yet...but there has to be a way of getting bigger brakes on these trucks even if you had to change the wheel dia
 

John Cunningham

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Probably the 3500HD... That's a completely different chassis. You won't be using those brakes.
ok yea I get this.on "Truck Stop" a guy researched this and said the best bang for the buck on a gmt 400 srw 1 ton was the thicker rotors in front and change the wheel cyl in the back to 1 3/16 size...use a good raybests pad and live with it...LOL
He did say what you said about the thicker rotor...I am not sure I have that but will check with a caliper...I purchased one of these trucks new..not the one I have now and did have a rotor warp issue most of the time from towing a heavy fifth wheel
 
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Troydairy

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Is there a aftermarket rear disc system? Or even swap axle from 800? Just curious. I do like the thicker rotor idea, should help heat some. My 2500HD 1998 has had frt issues from pulling to vibe. Not rotor warp, vibration. Finally had a shop install new calipers, rotors, pads and it helped a bunch but still tugs rt a little. Frt end is tight and all too. Just a nudge rt. I honestly have never heard of people complaining of gmt-400 HD brakes. 1500s guys will say are weak and I will agree they could of did better. My 1994 1500 seems lacking and all checks out good.
 

wheelman

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Don't forget the brake porportional valve.you night have to install a different one.they have one for front disc and drum brakes back.then one for front disc and rear disk.

Hummer trucks have the HD 2500 deal .disc front and back.bigger brakes and rotors.eight lug wheels.
 
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