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Putting on 20's

AvalancheKurt

SM 2007
SM 2004
Full Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2003
Messages
959
Location
Rochester, NY
I read that when you go with bigger rims, that a brake upgrade is going to be needed. Does this apply for 20" too, or really anything 22" plus?
 
AvalancheKurt said:
I read that when you go with bigger rims, that a brake upgrade is going to be needed. Does this apply for 20" too, or really anything 22" plus?

Kurt, I don't know where you heard this but I don't think it necessarily has anything to do with putting on larger wheels/Tires.
I've got 20"s on my Av and didn't upgrade the brakes just because of that.
Don't get me wrong, I think the AV could stand to have larger/better brakes but just increasing wheel size doesn't make it necessary.
But putting on larger wheels(read rims) does make it easier to go with a larger set of brake rotors like the ones from BAER or SSB.

Just my .02

Vetman
 
There are folks that jump up and down about this saying the larger wheels are more weight so brakes must be upgraded. I have loaded the stock 17 wheels and tires in my truck bed, and the 20's and I reallt do not think there was that much extra weight.
I'm putting 22's on in April and will keep an eye on things again then. As said in the post above, there sure isn't anything wrong with upgrading brakes.
 
With my 22s I have noticed 2 things. 1-Decreased braking ability. I am going to upgrade my brakes. I have friends with 20s on tahoes and they said their 20s didn't make as much of a difference as my wheels have made. 2-Decreased top end power. My new tires are 33" tall. My stock tires were 31". I don't know if it is the weight of the tire/wheel combo that is causing this or the diameter. Either way, passing people on the highway at 70 is almost out of the question anymore.
BB
 
I was watching monster garage last weekend with that killer Escalade tailgating machine........ any how Jesse James put 26" wheels on that caddy and really stressed about getting performance brakes on 22" rims and bigger because of the added weight.
 
I bought forged wheels for their ability to
be as good as smaller wheels in ride and
braking....

I know i have seen some 20s at my local
audio store that were nice looking chrome
dubs. They looked pretty cool until you
tried to pick them up and they weighed
a ton! In don't know how bad they would
be braking wise though..

It depends on the wheel but for
me I wouldn't worry about it unless it
was 22" and up.

Aetatis.
 
If that was the case then putting on a larger tire than stock would force you to buy bigger brakes as well. Those who have 18in wheels and 33"or 34" tires would have the same worries as a guy with 22in wheels and a 305/45/22 tire. I am not an expert, but rubber weighs alot too. There are many guys with lifted AVs and big wheels/tires that don't seem to worry about this. Why should we. Stopping a 34in diameter wheel is stopping a 34in diameter wheel no matter how you cut it; regardless if is it's a 18in, 20in, or 22, in rim. Don't shoot me, it's just my 2 cents. Mikesav.
 
Mikesav said:
If that was the case then putting on a larger tire than stock would force you to buy bigger brakes as well. Those who have 18in wheels and 33"or 34" tires would have the same worries as a guy with 22in wheels and a 305/45/22 tire. I am not an expert, but rubber weighs alot too. There are many guys with lifted AVs and big wheels/tires that don't seem to worry about this. Why should we. Stopping a 34in diameter wheel is stopping a 34in diameter wheel no matter how you cut it; regardless if is it's a 18in, 20in, or 22, in rim. Don't shoot me, it's just my 2 cents. Mikesav.
Sounds logical to me :cautious: :0:
 
I thought the exact same thing. Then, I put on 22s and my brakes went to hell and so did my top end power. My tires went from factory 31" to 33" with the new wheels. I thought "How do the 4WD guys do it with 35"s and larger." But, it did effect the braking on my truck that was noticeable enough on the first test drive down the street. I still have the factory rims. So, if anyone near OKC wants to check it out feel free to contact me. Just a few minutes to swap them out. In fact, I may just CAR and DRIVER a little test on 60-0 stopping distance. If I do, I will report my results here.
BB
 
Well as most of you know I have 20in Enkei Phatt's on my ride I will have 22in Enkei ?? soon. I did do a brake upgrade from SSB. And I tow a 4000lbs camper at 70mph. It still stops good. the rotors are 13 in. A good brake upgrade can cost a pretty penny. But after doing it you'll thank yourself...

Glenn Enkei Try to stop me Avalanche
 
Hey guys,

I'm not really too familiar with the older AV's, but my '04 has some pretty massive calipers. Does anyone know if these were upgraded in '04?

BTW, I have 22's on my AV and did not even think about getting upgraded brakes until reading this post. The difference in braking to me was slim to none.

my .02
 
I've got 20's and have experienced no noticeable difference in braking. The AV has really good brakes and most upgrades don't make any difference (unless you upgrade rotor outside diameter size/area significantly - slotted and/or drilled rotors of the same size don't help).
 
Mikesav said:
If that was the case then putting on a larger tire than stock would force you to buy bigger brakes as well. Those who have 18in wheels and 33"or 34" tires would have the same worries as a guy with 22in wheels and a 305/45/22 tire. I am not an expert, but rubber weighs alot too. There are many guys with lifted AVs and big wheels/tires that don't seem to worry about this. Why should we. Stopping a 34in diameter wheel is stopping a 34in diameter wheel no matter how you cut it; regardless if is it's a 18in, 20in, or 22, in rim. Don't shoot me, it's just my 2 cents. Mikesav.

mike, no offense bud but.....

anyone who has owned a truck with oversize tires knows that braking power is lost, and the distance needed to come to a stop is increased... the difference is... those running around with "dubs" have the room for a brake upgrade... can I upgrade my brakes if I am running 35's on a 16 or 17" rim... nope... larger rotors will not fit inside the rim... so do not take it that those who play in the dirt don't worry about it... just nothing we can do about it.... (as you found out it is not a good idea to off-road with 22's)

regards,

Grey
 
Hey AvalancheKurt,

Did you ever decide what rims you were going to go with? I'm having the same delima. 20's or 22's.......cost is definitely the main issue.
 
I drove my babys 2002 Northface 1500 yesterday then later in the evening I drove my 2003 1500 with 20" Silverado SS wheels and for a few seconds thought I had no brakes :eek: It took a little while to get used to the reduced braking from the larger wheels. Anybody who says braking is not effected by larger wheels is fooling themselves :2:
 
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