Do larger rims require a new/upgraded break system?

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G

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I'm planning on upgrading my stock rims to 22" Rims, Can the stock breaks handle these size of rims or Is it required to upgrade the brake system? Can I install the new rims now and upgrade the brake system in a few weeks or is it absolutely neccessary to do it right at installation?

Thanks in advanced
 

BikeRider

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Yes, they require upgrades to maintain the same braking distance. It's not something that you have to do immediately, but it will wear out your OEM's pretty quick. The larger rims (and your heavy system) cause what is callled "unsprung" weight and makes braking unsafe.

By the way, nice audio setup.
 
OP
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G

Guest

There are basically two kinds of wheels you can get.

Cast and Forged.

Cast wheels are cheaper and heavier. A set of 22" inch wheels with tires will probably run somewhere around $2200 to $3000.

Forged wheels are little more expensive and much lighter (almost half the weight of equivalent size cast wheels in some cases). A set of Forged wheels in 22" inch size will probably run something like $4000 to $6000 depending on make and model.

BikeRider is right. The brakes aren't anything you need to do right away. If you have heavy cast wheels, you'll put more strain on the brakes that are trying to stop that increase in rotational mass. You'll burn through pads quicker and most likely increase your stopping distance. Forged wheels will affect your brakes less or not at all depending on the weight difference from your stock wheels.

As a general rule of thumb, the increase in unsprung weight is equivalent to three times the sprung weight. So, if the total weight of all four stock wheels and tires are 200 lbs. You move onto 22" cast wheels with tires and increase the total weight to 350 lbs. That's a difference of 150 lbs. Doesn't sound like much.

But, 150 lbs of unsprung weight translates to 450 lbs of sprung weight.

So, adding 22" cast wheels and tires to your truck is equivalent to driving your truck with stock wheels and 450 lbs of cargo in the trunk - get the idea - this is why you'll burn through brake pads faster and increase your stopping distance.

I would suggest trying a better brake pad and see if that meets your needs. If not, then proceed to upgrading your brakes.

There are some great brake upgrades out there. I would recommend just getting slotted rotors and avoid cross drilled or combination of cross drilled and slotted rotors.

Slotted rotors provided an escape for gases that build up between the rotor and brake pad. Cross drilled rotors help cool the rotor. Cross drilled rotors are great for racing, but they can also crack.

Since I doubt you'll race the truck, you probably won't reap the benefits of cross drilled rotors and your rotors should be vented anyway, so that's just my nickel's worth.

Good luck.
 

smo0othride

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I wouldn't worry about it... do you worry about upgrading your brakes because you usually have 2 people riding around in your expedition with you, which would be the equivilant to putting on the new rims. Better braking is always a good upgrade because of the safety, but putting on 22's is barely going to hurt your braking quailty.
 
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G

Guest

I'll probably get 20's or 22's on my expedition too. If i wanted to upgrade, would i need new brake pads or a whole new set of calipers or what? Is it a really noticeable difference between 17's and 20-22's as far as stopping distance?

Tom
 

rwinch

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This is a silly thread.

Put 'em on if you want to. The rotational mass (flywheel effect) is basically the same.......because you have a whole lot less tire weight, for the increase in rim size. The entire radius for the center of mass basically remains the same because the tire& rim size effective radius remains the same.

The issue on sprung vs. unsprung weight only applies to spring and shock (damping) constants, not braking, as mass is mass.

Brake upgrades I definitley agree is an issue, say, if you are putting on 44" tires, but this is not the case here.

Besides, if I can tow 8000 lbs on stock brakes per Ford, then a slightly larger rim should not matter!!!!
 
OP
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G

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Originally posted by rwinch
This is a silly thread.

I don't think so-
It's not about unsprung weight but the rotational mass of the wheels and tires.

The brakes on my '03 would handle a little more weight but what are the 1st gen Expeds running?

I'm sure someone has done some testing.
 
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