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

[John Cunningham <johnc@together.net>]

Steve -

hmmmm.... can't crack a joke around here some days...

if you have to be serious, drivetrains are MORE than capable of handling
deceleration, especially those in bigamuricantrucks.  they are made for it
(setting aside the fact that this lady prolly needs a 350 instead of a 250 with
such a big load).  sure if you tow 10k# trailers all the time your drivetrain
will need maintenance sooner, but that will happen from pulling it as much as
slowing it down.  the engine braking thing is a safety issue. the drivetrain is
far more capable of keeping that load under control on
_prolonged_downhill_grades_ than the brakes.  to suggest otherwise to someone
towing this load is irresponsible.  ever notice those big signs on downhills
that say 'trucks use low gear'?   they aren't put there by transmission
rebuilders...  ever see those big gravel pit runouts for when truck brakes
fail?

regarding shifting into lower gear tho' previous comments about slowing first
shifting later (rather than slamming a downshift with a 10k# trailer - Yikes!)
are totally on the mark.

JC

Stephen Bigelow wrote:

> I believe the point is to use your brakes to stop, and not your
> engine/transmission.
> Think about it...what would you rather replace....engine/trans parts...or
> brake parts?
>
> I'll swap pads/shoes anyday over engine rebuilds, thanks.
>