Brake upgrade

Why this option

Tow-rated friction compound chosen over a performance-street pad because the duty cycle here is a 6,500 lb trailer on grades, not track work. The earlier plan was pads only, keeping the factory rotors if they measured within spec. That changed with the rear brakes already apart for the axle swap: doing pads and rotors at all four corners now, in one matched kit, was chosen over coming back to the brakes later. A fresh DOT 4 flush goes with the job regardless.

Trade-offs

Tow-oriented pads typically trade some cold bite and produce more dust than a premium street compound. The kit also replaces rotors that were never measured, which goes against this build's habit of not replacing parts that are not worn; the trade was made for the sake of doing the brakes once.

Photography

Bench photo once it arrives

Rear rotor and caliper back on.

Added once it's been lived with

What it actually cost

Why this option

Well-regarded truck and tow compound with strong initial bite when cold.

Where it currently stands

Close call. The PowerStop Z36 was chosen for the tow-specific compound and the simplicity of a matched front and rear set from one line.

What it actually cost

Why this option

Very low dust and quiet operation, with OE-supplier pedigree.

Where it currently stands

Ceramic compounds are tuned for daily comfort rather than sustained heat under trailer load on grades, which is this truck's hardest duty cycle.

What it actually cost