95 suburban C2500 front brake upgrade

[superchevysb]

Has anyone ever checked in to a front brake upgrade with OEM parts from GM for a 2wd 8 lug suburban or pickup that has the one piece hub and rotor? I have been looking at front rotors and calipers from 2001-2002 Chevy express 3500 they offer heavy duty rotors that are 39.1 mm thick and the calipers are wider. That would certainly handle the heat much better than a 32 mm rotor. Just curious if anyone has done it.

 

[JMJNet]

::Welcome::

Not sure if this thread will answer your question:

Brake upgrades using factory parts for GMT-400(88-00 OBS), and 94-99 DODGE 2500/3500

I know many out there are less than thrilled with the performance of there stock brakes, so I figured I would do this thread to post up what stock parts can be easily swapped in to improve the braking performance of our trucks. First things first, make sure your brake system is up to par...

www.thetruckstop.us

In short, use the DRW truck parts (rotor and pads).

 

[ak diesel driver]

I think that thread mainly covers 4wd, don't remember anyone trying to upgrade their 2wd

 

[MrMarty51]

I know knothing on the subject, just saying welcome to the forum.

 

[superchevysb]

I think I'll get the parts together and see how it all fits. Appears to be the same Bearing numbers as well so it will fit my spindle. Also I see The 2wd suburban with 8600 gvwr and 4wd with 8600 gvwr use the same calipers so according to that post for 4 wheels drives the wider caliper should fit as well.

 

[MrMarty51]

I’ll be watching this thread, or another, if You post in Your progress.

 

[superchevysb]

The upgrade to the thicker front rotors from the 2002 Chevy express 3500 installed on the 95 Chevy suburban C2500 7.4 was a success. The rotors are about a 1/4 inch thicker and the calipers that match and fit the rotors have 3.250 diameter piston and my stock suburban had 3.000 inch diameter pistons. The pedal feels great even with the larger piston. This suburban does have the hydroboost from factory. I believe this upgrade is much like they do with the 4 wheel drive suburbans but I had to track down a 1 piece hub/rotor with the 39.1mm thickness for it to work on a 2 wheel drive.

 

[MrMarty51]

Thats nice.
Thank You for the follow up. I am sure that this will help someone in the future.

 

[superchevysb]

I am also doing some work with the stock proportion/combination valve. The spring for the rear can be shimmed or replaced with a heavier spring to improve rear braking on these suburbans. I am going to do some line pressure checks and make some changes and see how it affects line pressure to the rear brakes. The combination valve is way more simple than I had imagined it would be.

 

[THEFERMANATOR]

The stock 95 proportioning valve was lacking when it comes to rear braking power. GM had an updated valve in a TSB, but they are long since gone and discontinued. If you can find one, they make a BIG difference. I was not aware of thicker rotors on the vans, that is good info. I need to set down one of these days and try and clean up that brake upgrade thread some, and add in this info about the van rotors.