Propickup Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/130418
SSBC's front/rear Big Bite brake kits are the largest bolt-on disc brakes offered for duallies and they fit 20-inch and larger wheels. Triple-piston calipers and slotted billet aluminum rotors maximize braking power Warren Spears replacing the front brakes with SSBC's parts. Brake upgrade is a straight bolton procedure. Tom Jackson Upgrading the rear brakes on a Dana 80 (dually) requires removing the axle shaft by removing the eight retainer bolts. l stop PP0613_Big Red SSBC Install.indd 17 Then the small split-ring hub nut retainer is removed. J ust a little over a year ago we kicked off a new project truck affectionately called Big Red. Our end goal: To turn an ordinary 2008 GMC Sierra Dually with 130,000 miles on it into a light-duty service truck that has looks, performance and efficiency from the perspective of someone tasked with working on smaller equipment in the field. As I said in that intro article in our April 2012 issue, "By this time next year we want our 'Big Red' GMC, sponsored by Mobil Delvac, to look and function like a $50,000 service truck – and have the sweepstakes winner driving off with a huge smile." Well, Big Red has achieved those goals. In fact, we think it's exceeded expectations in looks, performance and functionality. The last upgrade we're making is in the brakes. OE braking performance was decent when Big Red was bone stock. But as the truck's weight increased with the addition of equipment, accessories and other upgrades, stopping distances increased. That's because the majority of stopping power is done by the front brakes – and the OE rotors and calipers were being taxed to their limit. Taller, heavier tires and wheels, heavy duty winches and bumpers, and the slide-in service body with its equipment necessitated a brake upgrade. SSBC BIG BRAKES So we turned to Stainless Steel Brake Corporation (SSBC), which SPECIAL THANKS Stainless Steel Brake Corporation: ssbrake.com; 800-448-7722 Spears Auto Repair: Long Beach, MS; 228-863-1878 propickupmag.com PROPICKUP 17 5/10/13 9:11 AM