[BrakeStop]

I have been watching the forums and was wanting to check interests in a braking system for First and Second Generation Durangos/Dakotas

Some of the highlights would be.
Front Brake Option
Brembo 4 piston Calipers
Brembo sloted rotors
machined knuckles
stainless hardware with aluminum/titanium mounting brackets
stainless brake hose and mounting bracket

color matching options
our setup will be for aftermarket rims


We currently have several mock ups completed and they are currently at the powdercoaters and should be complete by the 10th.
Target Price will start at $1,050.00 including shipping

Use your own calipers/rotors will be around $500.00 shipped

We will also have a rear brake/axle swap out for First Generation Durangos/Dakotas

Pics will be posted once we have the brakes back from the powder coaters and we will have them installed on a customer's vehicle.

 

[Blue93Dakota]

If you could do something for the Gen II Dakota's (like the one in my sig) I would be very interested.

 

[91sonomast]

I have been watching the forums and was wanting to check interests in a braking system for First and Second Generation Durangos/Dakotas

Some of the highlights would be.
Front Brake Option
Brembo 4 piston Calipers
Brembo sloted rotors
machined knuckles
stainless hardware with aluminum/titanium mounting brackets
stainless brake hose and mounting bracket

color matching options
our setup will be for aftermarket rims


We currently have several mock ups completed and they are currently at the powdercoaters and should be complete by the 10th.
Target Price will start at $1,050.00 including shipping

Use your own calipers/rotors will be around $500.00 shipped

We will also have a rear brake/axle swap out for First Generation Durangos/Dakotas

Pics will be posted once we have the brakes back from the powder coaters and we will have them installed on a customer's vehicle.

$500 for brackets, hoses, hardware, and machined knuckles? Yikes!! At that price you can do a Viper swap. And your terminology, what are you calling first and second gen? Listing years would be more helpful as these "gens" get mixed and tossed around.

 

[BrakeStop]

Well this is the deal. we are a small auto custimizing shop in Ohio and have made over 40+ brake upgrades in the past 3-4 years since we have been operating as a shop. One of the partners owns a machine shop and the other partner owns a high end paint shop (works on custom projects and paints European sports cars).

We have been working on some American vehicles (Dodges and Fords)
The latest is a 2003 Dodge Durango with 6 piston front brakes and 4 piston rear brakes. The parts are currently at the powder coaters and platers. We tested (also the client) and we are extremely happy with the build. The vehicle is a race caged vehicle with over 750 hp power. We did not do the motor and drivetrain but it should be a crazy ride for an all-wheel drive vehicle.

We like the Rotora 4 and 6 piston calipers, Brembo rotors and all SS brake lines. (XRC makes really nice stuff also). We machine and make all our own brackets out of aluminum or titanium. Overkill but it ends up looking really nice and is super strong. All of the items we use are new OEM parts and not knockoffs or refurbished parts. We are not looking to make a ton of money of these, we all have other businesses to manage and to support our family. We do this because we love to.

Gen 1 986-1990 Dakota & 1998-2003 Durango
Gen 2 1991-1996 Dakota & 2004-2010 Durango
Gen 3 1997-2004 Dakota & 2011+ Durango
Gen 4 2005-2007 Dakota
Gen 5 2008+ Dakota

 

[BrakeStop]

$500 for brackets, hoses, hardware, and machined knuckles? Yikes!! At that price you can do a Viper swap. And your terminology, what are you calling first and second gen? Listing years would be more helpful as these "gens" get mixed and tossed around.

The Durango brakes was sold design/installed to the client for roughly $8k about half of the price was labor and testing. (roughly 44-45 hours)

 

[last_in]

Where at in Ohio? Why does your location say Texas?

 

[BrakeStop]

Where at in Ohio? Why does your location say Texas?

I am in Cleveland. I don't know why it says Texas other than I must have clicked it some how. I signed up using my SmartPhone. How do I change it?

 

[dave3240]

User CP link in the blue bar @ top of page.
Edit profile

Thanks for your efforts in this area; as you know there's not much out there for these trucks due to the funky 6-4.5 BCP.

 

[BrakeStop]

Location Fixed - I don't recall typing TEXAS in though.....

 

[last_in]

Cleveland, eh? Opposite of me, haha. Do you have any pictures of this Durango, mainly the brakes.

 

[dave3240]

$500 for brackets, hoses, hardware, and machined knuckles? Yikes!! At that price you can do a Viper swap. And your terminology, what are you calling first and second gen? Listing years would be more helpful as these "gens" get mixed and tossed around.

Yes, because every 'from-scratch' mod for these trucks should be $1. Have you ever priced brake upgrades for Dakotas? There's almost NOTHING out there, and what is there starts around $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$.
Props to the OP for doing something about it.

 

[91sonomast]

Hey I'm not knocking it man, you wanna jump people's shit why is it that when constructive criticism is given someone wants to jump shit? Incase you are not aware constructive criticism is necessary to run a successful business or to market a product successfully. Are you gonna drop almost $1100 for their brake kit?


Now that, that's out of the way, the reason I was so amazed by price is that most people who play with these trucks don't have a huge budget, it's really not that bad of a price for 6 piston front calipers, rotors, pads, lines, and hardware, why I was asking in such a way is because they probably won't fly off the shelves at that price. It's not overpriced for what it is but you have to look at the clientele you're shooting at and how much merchandise you want to move. Yes people will buy it but, if some parts of it were brought down from high end and you could bring your price down I think you would sell more kits, not bring the parts down to cheap crap, just good solid quality stuff that's not Ferrari spec lol. The Dakota guys are like the S-10 guys, we're fairly middle class Americans that can't afford to spend a whole bunch of money on their vehicles because we have car payments, mortgages, this, that, the other, and once all that's paid there's not much play money left but, we still love to play with them when we can, and just because you have the market cornered doesn't mean you'd have to charge more(not implying you would, just responding to ole' hot head up above me). That's just my $.02, if it's helpful cool, if not that's cool too.

 

[dave3240]

Hey I'm not knocking it man, you wanna jump people's shit why is it that when constructive criticism is given someone wants to jump shit? Incase you are not aware constructive criticism is necessary to run a successful business or to market a product successfully. Are you gonna drop almost $1100 for their brake kit?


Now that, that's out of the way, the reason I was so amazed by price is that most people who play with these trucks don't have a huge budget, it's really not that bad of a price for 6 piston front calipers, rotors, pads, lines, and hardware, why I was asking in such a way is because they probably won't fly off the shelves at that price. It's not overpriced for what it is but you have to look at the clientele you're shooting at and how much merchandise you want to move. Yes people will buy it but, if some parts of it were brought down from high end and you could bring your price down I think you would sell more kits, not bring the parts down to cheap crap, just good solid quality stuff that's not Ferrari spec lol. The Dakota guys are like the S-10 guys, we're fairly middle class Americans that can't afford to spend a whole bunch of money on their vehicles because we have car payments, mortgages, this, that, the other, and once all that's paid there's not much play money left but, we still love to play with them when we can, and just because you have the market cornered doesn't mean you'd have to charge more(not implying you would, just responding to ole' hot head up above me). That's just my $.02, if it's helpful cool, if not that's cool too.

If you think that's me jumping your sh1t you must have extremely thin skin.

Your means to pay for it has nothing to do with price point and cost of labor. The sad truth is that we Dakota guys and gals are a miniscule piece of the aftermarket. Prices will be high because production will be low.

Another sad truth: if you can't afford it, keep surfing. The vendor has stepped up to offer a kit where few are available, and it's completely unrealistic to expect them to offer it at cost or loss...knowing parts prices and labor rates, I don't expect they're gonna see much profit @ $500/$1000 for the kits. Certainly not the kind of profit someone like Baer makes @ $6000/kit.

Asking if you've priced brake upgrades doesn't qualify me as a hothead - it is a natural reaction to your seeming amazement @ $500 for the parts listed. Machine work isn't cheap. Spindles aren't either, nor are BSS hoses. If you had priced kits for the Dak, you'd know that competing vendors are asking from $2000 to $6000 for BBKs. FTR, I will be dropping much more than that to get my wheels/brakes/suspension in order, as I will keep this truck 'til I die and will it to my son.

 

[99dakotaRTCC]

1000 buxs is an awesome price, i paid that to get my gen 2 viper brakes together..

 

[91sonomast]

If you think that's me jumping your sh1t you must have extremely thin skin.

Your means to pay for it has nothing to do with price point and cost of labor. The sad truth is that we Dakota guys and gals are a miniscule piece of the aftermarket. Prices will be high because production will be low.
No my means to pay for it doesn't mean anything about their labor or costs but if they are building a kit specific to us, then in my mind, as I stated I would look at the clientele and their budget and build something according to that, so......what's your point? Ok YOU are going to spend 6k on that stuff but the vast majority of us guys ARE NOT. So sounds to me that you are the small percentage that a company wouldn't shoot at to make a little extra money, selling a quantity of a product is where the money is, not making 3 one off kits that in the longrun, they broke even on.

Another sad truth: if you can't afford it, keep surfing. The vendor has stepped up to offer a kit where few are available, and it's completely unrealistic to expect them to offer it at cost or loss...knowing parts prices and labor rates, I don't expect they're gonna see much profit @ $500/$1000 for the kits. Certainly not the kind of profit someone like Baer makes @ $6000/kit. You didn't ACTUALLY read AND comprehend my post did you? You just saw what you wanted to see and are debating to that.

Asking if you've priced brake upgrades doesn't qualify me as a hothead - it is a natural reaction to your seeming amazement @ $500 for the parts listed. Machine work isn't cheap. Spindles aren't either, nor are BSS hoses. If you had priced kits for the Dak, you'd know that competing vendors are asking from $2000 to $6000 for BBKs. FTR, I will be dropping much more than that to get my wheels/brakes/suspension in order, as I will keep this truck 'til I die and will it to my son. Yes I have and those companies that have really super awesome conversions don't sell many kits. I'm not gonna break down the parts costs but, yes, $500 for what is listed is expensive, aluminum, Grade 8 or 10 bolts and SS brakelines don't add up to $500 from what I see unless that is one BIG ass chunk of aluminum.

I don't have thin skin but your assumptions were stupid, and that's fine if they price them in that area, what I was saying is they won't sell as many, I didn't say sell the same stuff for less I said........nevermind, if you can't comprehend what I said then I'm not turning this thread into a flame thread. OP if you have anything further to add I've got open ears and if I am wrong my bad, I still less high-end parts such as 6 piston calipers would make the kit much more affordable and would probably sell more but, if you're goal is to only sell a handful of high-end kits then more power to you, I'm sure people with the financial means will buy them and you will accomplish that goal, no doubt. I was just saying what seems as though would sell more considering most Dakota/Durango owners budget.

 

[bad360rt]

It's great to see people willing to come up with new products for these trucks. If you can do a full bolton kit, and keep the price reasonable, it should sell. A lot of people don't want to have to deal with fabricating and modifying, they just want to bolt it on and go.

Looking forward to pics and also the rear setup.

 

[dave3240]

I don't have thin skin but your assumptions were stupid, and that's fine if they price them in that area, what I was saying is they won't sell as many, I didn't say sell the same stuff for less I said........nevermind, if you can't comprehend what I said then I'm not turning this thread into a flame thread. OP if you have anything further to add I've got open ears and if I am wrong my bad, I still less high-end parts such as 6 piston calipers would make the kit much more affordable and would probably sell more but, if you're goal is to only sell a handful of high-end kits then more power to you, I'm sure people with the financial means will buy them and you will accomplish that goal, no doubt. I was just saying what seems as though would sell more considering most Dakota/Durango owners budget.

What assumptions? You yourself posted that $500 was comparable to a Viper swap - which is, in reality, closer to $2k. $500 won't get you the fookin' calipers. A more affordable upgrade for early Gen II owners is as easy as swapping to '03+ spindles, brakes & ITR ends. Sorted. You can do that for junkyard prices.

Do you not assign any value to time and labor? You can be sure that the guy who develops an item for these trucks does, and it drives final pricing as much as material availability.

Reactions such as yours to what is a good price for custom brake work are a reason more people don't step into supporting these trucks; kinda like someone posting a mint R/T with 5k miles for $10,000 and immediately there are 25 posts shooting the price down.

IMO, if you're upgrading the brakes beyond the 12.5" '03 OE stuff, it makes sense to step up to a better caliper. Increased rotor diameter alone is only good for filling up the wheels.

 

[91sonomast]

What assumptions? You yourself posted that $500 was comparable to a Viper swap - which is, in reality, closer to $2k. $500 won't get you the fookin' calipers. A more affordable upgrade for early Gen II owners is as easy as swapping to '03+ spindles, brakes & ITR ends. Sorted. You can do that for junkyard prices.

Do you not assign any value to time and labor? You can be sure that the guy who develops an item for these trucks does, and it drives final pricing as much as material availability.

Reactions such as yours to what is a good price for custom brake work are a reason more people don't step into supporting these trucks; kinda like someone posting a mint R/T with 5k miles for $10,000 and immediately there are 25 posts shooting the price down.

IMO, if you're upgrading the brakes beyond the 12.5" '03 OE stuff, it makes sense to step up to a better caliper. Increased rotor diameter alone is only good for filling up the wheels.

I meant 1k is comparable to a Viper swap not the 500. And yeah rotors only do so much, a bigger caliper is necessary to provide the biting force. But as said I'm not looking to spend 1k+ on brakes like most guys here aren't wanting to spend that kinda bank either, I like what brandonburns is doing, working on using factory sized rotors with a bigger caliper, like said, rotor size isn't everything but, if you're trying to stop really fast the bigger the rotor the better, more heat dissipation. But I'm not trying to stop a 10 sec. truck, just want something better than these shitty stock 97-02 brakes.

 

[dave3240]

I meant 1k is comparable to a Viper swap not the 500. And yeah rotors only do so much, a bigger caliper is necessary to provide the biting force. But as said I'm not looking to spend 1k+ on brakes like most guys here aren't wanting to spend that kinda bank either, I like what brandonburns is doing, working on using factory sized rotors with a bigger caliper, like said, rotor size isn't everything but, if you're trying to stop really fast the bigger the rotor the better, more heat dissipation. But I'm not trying to stop a 10 sec. truck, just want something better than these shitty stock 97-02 brakes.

I feel ya, brudder. My 2000 R/T needs more stopping power in a big way. A 4000-lb truck with these sh1t brakes should never have left the factory, especially with the Viper brakes available (and pretty much a bolt-on deal for Mopar).

The drums out back suck sh*t thru a straw. I'm having hubs & rotors from an '03 welded and re-drilled for 5x4.5, also doing the rear disc swap. That with 18-lb. wheels will help the stopping power as well as handling and acceleration. At $3500 all in, it's spendy, but I have no car/truck payments to make and can do it a little at a time. Sorry if you thought I was an asshole; you were obviously mistaken.:jester:

 

[91sonomast]

I feel ya, brudder. My 2000 R/T needs more stopping power in a big way. A 4000-lb truck with these sh1t brakes should never have left the factory, especially with the Viper brakes available (and pretty much a bolt-on deal for Mopar).

The drums out back suck sh*t thru a straw. I'm having hubs & rotors from an '03 welded and re-drilled for 5x4.5, also doing the rear disc swap. That with 18-lb. wheels will help the stopping power as well as handling and acceleration. At $3500 all in, it's spendy, but I have no car/truck payments to make and can do it a little at a time. Sorry if you thought I was an asshole; you were obviously mistaken.:jester:

Man fuck you.


































lol ikid ikid, nah we each have our own opinions and we all want something different. You're cool with spending 2k on brakes, as for me, I don't have 2k in my whole truck including purchase price lol. I don't mind dropping some money to stop better but even a measly 1k is outta my range haha. I'm not saying the OP has a bad idea, he doesn't but, in all honesty I do think something a little more low key would sell better thus bringing in better profits in the long term but, i could also be wrong, wouldn't be the first time lol.