4x4s are so much more than overlanding vehicles. As well as being your ticket to ride the most rugged environments in the UK and overseas, with a few tweaks and upgrades, your 4×4 can become a great option for travel and day-to-day use.
Your brake system is a prime area to upgrade if you want to mix business with pleasure. By upgrading instead of replacing your existing 4×4 vehicle, you can enjoy many aspects of your off-roader in your everyday life. Discover how you can upgrade your brakes to deliver optimum safety both on the road and off.
The importance of 4×4 brake system upgrades
Improving brake performance is integral to both your on and off-road driving experience. The brakes of your 4×4 are responsible for maintaining driving safety in any environment. The installation of an aftermarket brake performance kit enables you to enhance the friction response to pedal application. It also actively minimises wear and dust, both of which impact brake efficiency and effectiveness.
There are many reasons why upgrading to performance brakes makes sense. Happy Go Travel explains more about the added benefits upgrading can unlock:
“You modify your tyres, suspension, bar work and pretty much everything else that can be unbolted. One thing that is often overlooked, is the importance of a 4wd disc brake upgrade. When modifying your 4×4 to make it more capable and go further off-road you are putting added strain on its brakes. When you load it up or tow a caravan, camper or boat, you are adding extra load on the brakes which affects the stopping distance.”
Many of the heavier modern pickups and 4x4s have rudimentary braking systems which don’t cope well with heavy vehicles, heavy loads and/or the weight of upgrades, such as steel bumpers and overland builds.
A particularly popular upgrade for day-to-day use, a brake performance kit can make driving easier and safer even in the face of the demands placed on a vehicle when loaded or towing.
Performance upgrades for the front or rear brakes?
Another question asked by 4×4 enthusiasts eager to upgrade for everyday use and travel is – which brakes need attention?
For the most part, brake system upgrades apply only to the front brakes as many pickups have rear drum brakes. The need to upgrade your front brake system is only solidified by the fact that 70% of braking takes place at the front wheels on a typical vehicle. Upgrading your front brakes will therefore deliver the most noticeable improvement.
The kit you need to upgrade your 4×4 brakes like a pro
Here at 4×4 Works, we stock several brake kits for various 4×4 makes, models and series. Our DBA Street Performance and Xtreme Performance kits are among our bestsellers providing the premium quality and complete solutions needed to enhance the braking performance of 4×4 road vehicles.
The DBA Street Performance Brake Kits are ideal for general use, but those looking to go one step further will see serious improvements by opting for a DBA Xtreme Performance Kit.
Our DBA Xtreme Performance Kits are far more popular and superior, delivering a noticeable improvement in braking performance and a good initial ‘bite’ when braking. This particular kit incorporates grooved discs to aid cooling, reduce brake fade at high temperatures and boost your stopping power whatever the conditions.
DBA Xtreme Performance Kits are made for heavy, towing, modified and fast road use vehicles looking for improved component life, reliable braking and friction consistency, even in extreme environments with low to high temperatures.
Whatever your brake kit preference, DBA kits offer a direct bolt-on or straight swap for existing brakes to ensure your brake upgrade is simple, seamless and successful.
Shop our full range of brake kits and upgrade your 4×4 for safety, everyday use and some serious off-roading.
Image: fongbeerredhot / Shutterstock.com
