Four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles are a popular choice in Australia for their functionality, performance and ease of drive for both business and family needs. One slight downside is that dual cab utes are not known for having a great braking performance. While the stopping power might be adequate in standard specifications, the truth is that not many stay in standard trim for long.
The increasing popularity of these cars as dual-purpose vehicles – family haulers and workhorses – means that there’s a huge range of accessories and modifications available in the market. Although these improve functionality, they also add weight, increase centre of gravity and rolling resistance. In short, standard brakes can quickly become underdone and even more so if towing a camper, caravan or trailer full of tools.
That’s where Bendix Ultimate 4WD Big Brake Upgrade kits can help.
Bendix’s Australian Design Rules-compliant braking kits deliver vastly improved braking performance for owners of dual cab utes and their wagon derivatives, in the convenience of two comprehensive kits (front and rear).
The front kit includes larger diameter Ultimate 4WD Disc Brake Rotors, Bendix six-piston monoblock calipers with bracket mounting kit, as well as Ultimate 4WD Brake Pads and Ultimate 4WD Braided Brake Hoses.
The rotors are 365mm in diameter and feature a ‘Diamond Tip Slot’ that allows gases to escape in demanding driving situations, maintaining braking performance and consistent pedal feel.
The rotor design also offers improved self-cleaning and noise dampening qualities while lowering thermal conductivity. These rotors come with SwiftFit surface protection allowing the rotors to be fitted immediately and without the need to clean or treat them with anti-rust oil.
The Ultimate 4WD Brake Pads have been specially designed for use with slotted rotors. The pads feature ceramic friction material that has low dust and noise properties, while providing high temperature stability and excellent fade resistance. The calipers, which come with additional pistons compared to OEM calipers, ensure greater pressure is applied to the brake pads, resulting in shorter stopping distances.
The brake hoses comply to international design standards and offer the added protection of a braided line with sleeve, leading to firm and consistent brake feel in all conditions. The front kit also features heavy duty brake fluid, Bendix Clean-up, Ceramasil brake parts lubricant and an icebox.
Meanwhile, the rear kit is a full drum to disc conversion kit that removes all OE drum assembly and replaces it with the Bendix Ultimate 4WD disc rotors and hydraulic calipers. The installation of the kit requires the removal of all components from the vehicle axles, which is why the kit comes complete with replacement bearings and seals (ABS rings and collars depending on vehicle model). The kit also includes a replacement park brake mechanism that’s actuated using the OE park brake cable, brakes hoses, brake pads, and all the ancillary components and accessories mentioned for the front kits.
Extensive testing was carried out during the developments of these kits using an unmodified Dual Cab PX Ford Ranger 4×4 and a Holden Colorado. The results in both vehicles demonstrated massive improvement in braking performance with the use of Bendix Ultimate 4WD Big Brake Upgrade kits.
The front kits are available for a wide range of popular dual cab utes and wagons, including Ford Ranger (PX, PX II & PX III); Holden Colorado (RG & RG2), Colorado 7 (RG); Isuzu D-Max (TFR, TFS & RG), M-UX (RG); Mazda BT-50 (UP & UR); Mitsubishi Triton (MQ & MR); Nissan Navara (D23 & NP300) and Toyota Hilux (Gen 7, KUN26, GGN25, Gen 8 & GUN136).
The rear kits are available for the Ford Ranger (PX, PX II & PX III), Isuzu D-Max (RG) and Toyota Hilux (Gen 8 & GUN 136). Additional kits are coming soon.
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