Build Thread First Impressions: PowerBrake X-Line BBK for the Grenadier – Precision-Matched, Proven in South Africa

[Alan Lin]

I wanted to share my thoughts after fitting the Grenadier-specific X-Line brake kit to our vehicle. Having previously run PowerBrake on a Jeep JL—which had already decent factory brakes due to its lighter weight—I was genuinely surprised by the transformation on the Grenadier.

The OEM braking on the Grenadier feels tuned more towards comfort, with a noticeably soft pedal and progressive bite. Once the PowerBrake 6-piston caliper kit and 350mm rotors went on, everything changed. The pedal feel is significantly firmer, and stopping power is vastly improved—more linear, more confidence-inspiring, and better controlled under load.

This is not a generic “one-size-fits-all” BBK. PowerBrake engineers matched the piston sizes and system balance specifically for the Grenadier, taking into account the factory master cylinder and brake bias. The result? Optimized modulation and response, without overboosting or underperforming.

Regarding cooling, PowerBrake equips the Grenadier-specific kit with a two-piece rotor design featuring 72 internal vane cooling fins—offering significantly better thermal efficiency than typical one-piece setups. Heat fade has been a non-issue so far, even under repeated hard use.

As for wheel clearance: the kit fits most 17” wheels without issue. However, clearance still depends on the inner barrel profile and spoke design. I haven’t tested it on the OEM steel wheels, so I can’t confirm compatibility there. If you’re considering this upgrade, I highly recommend contacting your local distributor or dealer to request the official caliper fitment template and verify dimensions with your wheels before purchase.

Photos of the installation and real-world testing are included below. Feel free to drop any questions—I’d be happy to help.

 

[parb]

Do you loose any functions? Parking brake or abs?

 

[Alan Lin]

Do you loose any functions? Parking brake or abs?

So far, everything works fine—ABS and parking brake are unaffected. It only replaces the front brakes, and the pad wear sensor just needs a simple workaround. If anything comes up, I’ll share an update here.

 

[parb]

What kind of workaround?

As I've made my truck heavier I've come to realize that the brakes could be improved.

 

[anand]

What kind of workaround?

As I've made my truck heavier I've come to realize that the brakes could be improved.

I would imagine you short the wires to bypass the pad wear sensor, that's the generic go-to for BBKs across many vehicles

 

[LeeroyJ]

I wanted to share my thoughts after fitting the Grenadier-specific X-Line brake kit to our vehicle. Having previously run PowerBrake on a Jeep JL—which had already decent factory brakes due to its lighter weight—I was genuinely surprised by the transformation on the Grenadier.

The OEM braking on the Grenadier feels tuned more towards comfort, with a noticeably soft pedal and progressive bite. Once the PowerBrake 6-piston caliper kit and 350mm rotors went on, everything changed. The pedal feel is significantly firmer, and stopping power is vastly improved—more linear, more confidence-inspiring, and better controlled under load.

This is not a generic “one-size-fits-all” BBK. PowerBrake engineers matched the piston sizes and system balance specifically for the Grenadier, taking into account the factory master cylinder and brake bias. The result? Optimized modulation and response, without overboosting or underperforming.

Regarding cooling, PowerBrake equips the Grenadier-specific kit with a two-piece rotor design featuring 72 internal vane cooling fins—offering significantly better thermal efficiency than typical one-piece setups. Heat fade has been a non-issue so far, even under repeated hard use.

As for wheel clearance: the kit fits most 17” wheels without issue. However, clearance still depends on the inner barrel profile and spoke design. I haven’t tested it on the OEM steel wheels, so I can’t confirm compatibility there. If you’re considering this upgrade, I highly recommend contacting your local distributor or dealer to request the official caliper fitment template and verify dimensions with your wheels before purchase.

Photos of the installation and real-world testing are included below. Feel free to drop any questions—I’d be happy to help.

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Thanks for this, it's great to hear first-hand experience. I've found the stock brakes to be really lousy when towing heavy loads in the mountains. The engine braking on the petrol version is insufficient to allow the brakes to cool. This results in needing to pull over and let the brakes cool or risk runaway.

So unfortunately I'll probably need to install these.

One question, could you take the stock front brakes and use them on the rear-axle? That way its also getting a bit of a boost?

 

[Alan Lin]

Sorry reply late.
Basically the stock front brakes cannot be used on the rear side, the size and mounting are different.

I know there are many different schools of thought about this. My personal view is that the Powerbrake front kit already gives a big improvement, because front brakes take around 70–80% of the work. The rear is only about 20–30%, and electronic brake balance also limits what can be changed there.

So with the Powerbrake front kit and PP05 pads, it should already be more than enough.

Thanks for this, it's great to hear first-hand experience. I've found the stock brakes to be really lousy when towing heavy loads in the mountains. The engine braking on the petrol version is insufficient to allow the brakes to cool. This results in needing to pull over and let the brakes cool or risk runaway.

So unfortunately I'll probably need to install these.

One question, could you take the stock front brakes and use them on the rear-axle? That way its also getting a bit of a boost?