Re: NON-Q: How To Improve Ford Pickup Brakes - HELP

["Bernard Littau" <bernardl@acumenassociates.com>]

[snip]
>She has also recently discovered that the stock brakes
>don't hold up very well when trying to slow down a 10,000 pound trailer
load
>in addition to the truck's own weight.
>
> Does ANYONE have ANY ideas about what changes I can make to this
>truck so that she can slow down her load when coming down-hill?  Yes the
>trailer does have brakes and they can lock, but they are not any good when
>hot...


This is going to hurt, so brace yourself:  Drive slower!  There is nothing
you can do to the truck, you have to adjust your driving habits.

I've pulled my share of horses and boats with a pickup or a Bronco, and
there is not much you can do besides making sure the brakes are in tip-top
shape, and slowing down.  What is particularly important is to use engine
braking when going down long grades.  My Bronco with 3 speed automatic goes
into 2nd for downhill grades, and you have to drive slower than normal to
accommodate the lower gear.

With a '98 you likely have an overdrive.  At least put it into D without
overdrive, and drop it to 2nd for longer downhill grades.

Best,

Bernard Littau
Woodinville, WA
'88 5kcstq
'86 Bronco
'71 F100