try www.rockauto.com?

 

IF you're looking for a big brake upgrade then yeah, the AP Racing kit is really the only one out there.

However, for OEM replacement upgrades, I have Baer DecelaRotors with Hawk Pads. Many Dakota and Durango owners are running them and it's proven to be a great combo. Got all my stuff from www.ajusa.com

 

David,

That's pretty much it.

You either buy remanufactured or upgraded OEM type parts, calipers, pads and rotors, or the whole system change over from AP/Stillen. The AP/Stillen is an awesome kit! I as do several others have it but it does require different wheels to work properly, and that means more money.

Whatever you do, stay away from the GS Motorsports Viper brake kit. They'll probably get you or others killed!! In fact, stay away from GSM and it's owner Scott Quarantra all together.

Stick with the parts and accessories advice of the others here. They won't steer you wrong.

 

If I'm correct, the "weird" thing about the '03 is that it had four wheel disc brakes with larger discs in the front where the previous years had rear drums and smaller discs in the front.

 

What kind of Hawk pads are you guys using?? I've seen that they have a couple of different kinds.
-Patrick

 

Hawk HPS pads - :clap:

 

For 2003-2004 Dodge installed larger front rotors on the Dakotas, and also included rear discs. 97-02 and 05+ all have disc/drum.

I don't know why PowerSlot lists an upgraded rotor for the 03-04 Dakota, but not the 03 Durango. I wonder if they just never saw a test mule to confirm compatability, or if they really are different? Dakotas and Durangos typically received matching hardware in most areas, I can't see any engineering reason why they'd use 2 separate brake systems for the same model year before the new body styles.

 

I think the 03 Durango brakes are unique, though I'm not sure.

The 03 brakes are waaaaaay better than the earlier ones. I've had no desire to upgrade mine (which was always on my mind with the 99.)

I've done the front brakes once on my '03 and used Raybestos PGPlus semimetallic pads and Raybestos rotors from rockauto. They've been fine (though the pads are a little dusty? well, thinking about it, they're not as dusty as the factory pads.)

If you order from rockauto, they have a running discount code, 461630229743, for 5% off till Sept 19th. Put it in the "How did you hear about us" box. Their email says "feel free to give it to your friends", and we're all friends here right?

?tom

 

The brakes are unique to the 03 front and rear.
I believe the front rotors are 1" bigger than our 98-02 D's and, like said above, they have rear disc.
If you're worn out look at Raybestos slotted/drilled rotors, I have them on my 01 and they're good. I think I saw they're made for the 03??
Steve
DOC Pres

 

Guys, thanks for all the replies.

The AP/Stillen kit does look awesome but it also comes with an awesome price tag that I just can't justify with the spousal unit!

It looks like Raybestos doesn't offer the BruteStop or SuperStop rotors for my '03. They don't list a contact email on their website, so I can't confirm. But they'll gladly answer questions for $1.75 a minute on their 900 number!!

I'd really like to install some slotted/drilled rotors this time rather than go through this again in a few thousand miles. Has anyone been successful in finding a better than direct OEM replacement for an '03?

Thanks again for the help.

David

 

I read somewhere they made them specifically for the 03 only. I'll try and find out.
Steve
DOC Pres

 

I read somewhere they made them specifically for the 03 only. I'll try and find out.
Steve
DOC Pres

Thanks, I'd really appreciate it.

David

 

Hey guys, I just stumbled across this website on my never ending quest for better brakes:

http://www.egrbrakes.com/

Have any of you guys had any experience with them?

Thanks,
David

 

Nice

EGR has been around a long time and I have heard their products are very good, although they seem a bit pricey. I'm going to try and get more information on the calipers and rotors from them with regards to their construction.
I see they definitely list the 03 separately.
Steve
DOC Pres

 

03 brakes are way better than 98-02s. I'm at 66K miles and have even touched the brakes yet! Plenty of pad left on all four corners. I bet I'll get to 80K before I require a pad change; plus it stops a lot better too!

Nels

 

Re: Nice

EGR has been around a long time and I have heard their products are very good, although they seem a bit pricey. I'm going to try and get more information on the calipers and rotors from them with regards to their construction.
I see they definitely list the 03 separately.
Steve
DOC Pres

Well, I sent them an email last Wednesday, 8-9-2006, and I haven't gotten a reponse yet.

Were you able to get any further information?

David

 

Come to think of it, no, no response! Cross them off my list!
Steve
DOC Pres

 

OK, I've found another possible source of brake parts for my '03. Has anyone used these guys before? What do you think about the prices? What are your comments on their products, performance, service, etc.

Here's my email traffic with them:<blockquote>From: David Luckadoo <David.Luckadoo@comcast.net>
Sent: Thursday, September 07, 2006 8:53 PM
To: Info@iRotors.com
Subject: Brakes for '03 Durango R/T

I'm looking to upgrade the brake system on my 2003 Dodge Durango 5.9L R/T.

What do you offer for this vehicle? Rotors, calipers, pads, etc.

Thanks,
David</blockquote>And their reply?<blockquote>Hello,
The front & rear cross drilled, slotted, and silver zinc plated rotors for the ?03 Durango R/T is $289 plus shipping. F&R semi-metallic brake pads are $80 additional.

If you have any further questions or would like to order, simply call us at 951.736.9211 or 888.8ROTORS Mon-Fri 9am to 5pm PST or email us at Sales@iRotors.com.

Thank you,
The iRotors Team
www.irotors.com</blockquote>Any and all input is welcomed. I'm wondering if I should just go to Kragen and get their OEM replacements parts!!

David

 

On the '03, the OEM setup is so much better than the others years! You could simply replace them with OEM ones. However, if you want fancy cross drilled or slotted rotors and super pads, I'd strongly suggest a proven setup instead of this iRotor place and their house brand. If they were that good, you'd see posts about them everywhere. As it is, until now, I've never heard of them.

May I suggest Baer DecelaRotors and Bendix TitaniuMetallic brake pads or, the common favorite, Hawk pads and PowerSlot rotors.

HTH & it's JMHO.

IndyDurango

 

When I last did the fronts on my '03, I got Raybestos rotors and pads from rockauto.com and they're just fine. They also carry Wagner and AC Delco pads/rotors, and Akebono pads should you feel the insane urge to spend extra money.

If you decide to go with rockauto, I have a shareable 5% discount code good till the 19th? PM me if you need it?

 

You mean 04269C1E4046 found at dodgetrucks.org??

 

No, it's actually 461630229743. It (and nothing else) goes in the "how did you hear about us" part of the order.

 

Thanks, Tom. I actually think I might just have to do some "shopping" today.

nels