Big Brake kit.

[LeeroyJ]

Concerning the lack of an aftermarket rear brake system - Buzz Overland makes a full ( front and rear ) big brake kit for the Grenadier. The e-brake is even hydraulic. You’ll find a few images of this within my build thread:

https://www.theineosforum.com/threads/snuffleupagus.12420527/post-1333369549

I like Buzz, have their drawer system. On the website it doesn't provide any info on the rear brakes, just a few photos.

 

[LeeroyJ]

Of course you aren’t typically drifting the Grenadier with the e-brake…

Challenge accepted!

 

[KristinaM]

Let me know if you have any questions.

Braking performance in our heavily loaded expedition tourer is substantially improved ( no surprise ) over the OEM front / rear braking setup.

It’s also easier to find front / rear pads for this setup - I’ve noted the relevant part numbers within my build thread.

 

[DaveB]

Towing a ~6500lb trailer (with new good quality trailer brakes) from Ouray Colorado to Durango Colorado really changed my mind on the Grenadier's brakes (at least with the petrol engine and its poor engine braking). Despite me going much slower than the speed limit, not riding the brakes, keeping engine braking at ~5,000 rpm, and making sure the trailer brakes were carrying their share of the load, the brake fade was so bad that I had to take multiple breaks to let the brakes cool. The last time I pulled into a stop it took me about 200 meters to stop from 35 mph and most of that braking came from the trailer.

I have the Agile Big Brake Kit installed now but haven't actually towed with them yet. Around town though, they just feel so much more responsive. Better braking with faster response and better pedal feel.

The two piston front brakes and one piston rear are just not adequate for the towing loads the Grenadier is rated at. Sadly, it is only a matter of time until someone learns this the hard way.

Ouray to Durango

maps.app.goo.gl

EDIT - All that being said, I wish someone would create a brake kit for the rear axle that maintains use of the handbrake.

You know it’s bad when you have to take brake breaks.
I haven’t towed heavy loads but have noticed the diesel engine braking is great.
Also the ability to use low range on hard surfaces up to 80 kmh/50 mph is also great

 

[parb]

I think I'm going to get the power brake system . I think anyone with a heavier vehicle or towing should consider a brake upgrade. Is was in very steep terrain today and it was a bit sketchy with the factory brake IMHO.

 

[ECrider]

The factory brakes seem more than good enough until you really have to push that pedal, as in sh1t I've really got to hard brake - there doesn't seem to be any more stopping power however hard you push the pedal. Probably not describing it too well but if you need to make a close to emergency braking then the bite of the brakes does not seem to intensify. Yes it's a heavy old truck but I would expect some better performance when in brown trouser mode. I wouldn't go as far as saying brake fade but would certainly like a bit more feel and power.

 

[parb]

I think you describe it well @ECrider , you push the brake hard and your almost down to the metal, pumping twice for posterity but still it doesn't feel like the brakes are biting. That's the feeling. Only prevalent when the vehicle is heavy or you're towing + very steep inclines (20% or more).

I also worry about emergency braking, will the pistons bite hard enough?

 

[CL66SEN]

Just added a few observations following two fairly recent overlanding trips:

The 1st was 5 days driving up/down the Italian & Swiss Alps on rough & steep offroad trails in June (plus driving motorways to/from London) and the 2nd was spent covering about 1,000 miles overlanding through Morocco on everything from flat sandy/gravel plains to come steeper technical ascents/descents (plus c.4,500 miles motorway to/from London). On the first trip I estimate that the total vehicle weight + myself was around 3.3 tonnes, and across Morocco we found a weigh-bridge which confirmed that we were running at 3.65 tonnes incl. 2 people.

During the trip in the Alps I did a number of long steep descents that brought me down 1,000-1,500 meters in the course of 30-45 minutes, and the brakes were absolutely roasting. I was using a combination of the built in hill descent mode plus foot brake on the less steep sections. I didn't have any noticeable brake fade, but the stench of hot brake pads was impossible to ignore. From what I've read about the Powerbrake X-line kit, the larger discs and increased disc ventilation their should help reduce heat build-up and improve subsequent cooling of the system.

In Morocco, there were a few occasions when I had to brake firmly when wayward cars/pedestrians/animals stepped onto the road, or cars in front did something unexpected, and in most instances I felt that the vehicle's weight was overtaking the brakes. On these occasions the brakes were not running hot - it was simply a matter of mass vs resistance. I feel that the Powerbrakes larger disc diameter will give me greater leverage, and the 6-pot calipers will give be greater braking force.

Much of the analysis in this thread looks at trailer braking. Does anyone have lived examples similar to mine, where the change to a big brake kit brought benefits as I'm expecting above? Noting that the kit plus fitment will not leave much change from £5,000, I want to get this right (alongside general peace of mind!).