Disc Brakes

I have been curious why most big SUV's don't come with standard rear disc brakes. I noticed Stillen has a Big Brake kit for the rear (at least that's what it looks like) for approx $1,200.00. Would this be something worth that kind of $$$$$ ?

Thanks all...:ylsuper

Why would you bother? My Xterra already stops on a dime, never experiences brake fade (mainly because I engine brake on long descents), and did I mention it stops on a dime? :)

Drum brakes are better for heavy loads, as they are not nearly as sensitive to heat as disc brakes and generally last longer. The brakes on the Xterra are some of the best you're going to find on any truck or SUV and you will find that the tires will give up before the brakes do. I wouldn't bother with trying to change things out.

The Stillen kit is rediculously expensive, and at least in the case of the 15" wheel owners, you have to go to larger wheels to clear the calipers, further increasing the cost immediately and when it comes to replacing tires down the road.
The only benefit I would see from discs in the rear is that they wouldn't gunk up like drums like to on sloppy trails. Otherwise, I'm quite happy with the stock 130' 60-0 stopping power of the disc/drum setup.

Brent

That makes sense, big loads = big drum brakes (i.e. 18 wheelers don't use disc brakes and i'm sure it's not because of the costs)
Your right, Stillen is over priced even though my X came with 17" rims. I know 17's not preferred for off road but it did come with a Supercharger and rims & tires are much easier to change over.

Thanks for the usefull replies, I will save my cash for some worthy upgrades.:sun:

YEp I already sold of my 17 inch wheels and got some cheap rock crawlers. :)

Originally posted by ChuckH
Drum brakes are better for heavy loads, as they are not nearly as sensitive to heat as disc brakes and generally last longer.

Actually that is incorrect as MCI (Motor Coach Industries) came out with air actuated disc brakes on their buses about 3 years ago. Upon testing the buses were found to stop from 60mph in a shorter distance of ~60 feet (Buses weigh up to 60,000 fully loaded). As well the disc's are not more sensative to heat as drums are as discs have constant airflow around the friction surface (the rotor), and can easily expel hot gases (especially if they are vented rotors). Drums get no internal airflow and rely on convection of the heat through the wall of the drum to cool. If drums were superior at heat rejection they wouldn't have been re,pved from racing cars years ago.

X supercharged: They are anticipating disc brakes on "Big Rigs" in the next couple years based on the MCI design.

As well LACNTY Fire has (2) crash rigs at LAX that weigh in at 160,000lbs and use discs on all (4) axles.

You make an excellent point!!! All race cars use disc brakes and they are very concerned about heat and stopping distances. For some reason I just never liked drum brakes because they don't stop as well under all conditions. But so far (only 900 miles on my X) I havn't had a problem. Also, I live in Cali so I don't worry about them being wet to much, I have taken it up to Azuza Canyon through some of the streams and didn't have to much problem with them being wet. Maybe i'm just itching to spend money on my X. (I never thought I would say "spending money" and "X" in the same sentence:D

I didn't feel like starting a new thread about my brakes...

I was driving on the coast with a fully loaded X (wife, 2 kids, dog, gear, wood, etc + all my extra weight mods (full skids, arb, winch, steel rear bumper with tire carrier, sliderz, 10 leaf springs, etc) and an oncoming Altima, 2 cars ahead on a curve, decided they wanted to take the turn-out after all. Brake lights all over the place and skidding vehicles.

I drilled the ABS and kept the truck straight while I scrubbed off most of the speed, but the rear of the car ahead of me was still coming. The ABS kept my steering control up and I looked for an escape route to avoid a collision, and was able to stop just before possibly having to put the truck down in the drainage ditch on the side of the road.

I was amazed at how much momentum I was able to take off the truck with the stock braking system, and how well the ABS performed to keep the steering under control.

So what do you guys think of the Slotted rotors. I have seen a set for the X trhough Nopi. I was thinking of trying them as they are about 30 bucks cheaper then factory rotrs which I will have to replace soon.

Originally posted by ChiaX
So what do you guys think of the Slotted rotors. I have seen a set for the X trhough Nopi. I was thinking of trying them as they are about 30 bucks cheaper then factory rotrs which I will have to replace soon.

Scott? How many miles do you have own your X? I think the Xterra stops great! Panic stops like Schlud said are very controllable! I really don't think slotted rotors are necessary, BUT if they are cheaper and better quality, I'd buy it!

Dude I have like 64k miles on it already. Done 2 changes already.