brake conversion to ABS?
- Thread starter reitsma
- Start date
Michael Mayben
IHPA Tech Moderator - Retired & No Longer Online
Ihc produced an rear-wheel only abs system for the fullsize rigs circa 1972 and later. In my opinion, they were a disaster. I have a partial system for one on the shelf now.
No way I'd ever want abs on any old school vehicle, I don't want the stuff on modern stuff either.
The liability exposure in adapting any form of abs is huge! Not to mention the exorbitant cost of new abs components including the computer to operate the system.
No way I'd ever want abs on any old school vehicle, I don't want the stuff on modern stuff either.
The liability exposure in adapting any form of abs is huge! Not to mention the exorbitant cost of new abs components including the computer to operate the system.
I would agree with mm that the cost and aggravation wouldn't be worth the effort.
In regards to abs, I have driven some vehicles that the abs worked wonderfully well. I am thinking specifically about our 2000 chrysler t&c awd and my mother's 1986 m-b 300d.
In others, the abs was/is an accident waiting to happen. I am thinking specifically about 90's vintage e&f/350 trucks and vans.
I have driven over 2 million miles over the years with the vast majority of those miles in non-abs equipped vehicles.
Slowing down and maintaining greater following distances will do more to make your brakes work better than any amount of $$$ spent on upgrading to some sort of adapted abs system.
In regards to abs, I have driven some vehicles that the abs worked wonderfully well. I am thinking specifically about our 2000 chrysler t&c awd and my mother's 1986 m-b 300d.
In others, the abs was/is an accident waiting to happen. I am thinking specifically about 90's vintage e&f/350 trucks and vans.
I have driven over 2 million miles over the years with the vast majority of those miles in non-abs equipped vehicles.
Slowing down and maintaining greater following distances will do more to make your brakes work better than any amount of $$$ spent on upgrading to some sort of adapted abs system.
Michael Mayben
IHPA Tech Moderator - Retired & No Longer Online
Between 1992 and 2000, I had many company vehicles (all isuzu) with abs that accumulated 125,000 miles per year. In the same time frame I've had four dodge pickups and durangos purchased new. The only warranty service I ever had performed on any of the dodges involved the shit abs brake systems, none of 'em will stop and all drive like they have a 50% air accumulation in the hydraulics.
None of the sumbitches had brakes worth shit. If I could have disabled all of the abs systems on the dodge trucks when I brought 'em home I would have. The durango we have now is a total pile in the brake department, I've done every "fix" possible to make the pos have something approaching "brakes" that work, can't be done.
Driving the abs shit is like having someone else operate the brake system with about a three second lag time. And once this durango goes away (real soon now), we'll never own anything else with abs (or a computer for that matter).
The dodge abs system is a total disaster in heavy snow/ice unless you have cables on all four tires, and that includes using 4high under extreme snow conditions. The problem is not accelerating/steering in the major slippery stuff we have here, it is stopping! And stopping in heavy snow accumulation coming down from 9k+ft. Passes throughout the western u.s. Must be done in 4l to be able to use engine braking, the abs will put you in the ditch or over the cliff. Our driving conditions throughout the western u.s. Are every bit as "severe" in winter as what you folks have anywhere in europe.
The same driving conditions, (including the addition of a 6,000lb. Trailer on the hitch) with my '73 IH pickup 4x4 with cables/chain hybrids on the front axle (including major serious mud tires) and conventional chains on the front axle of the trailer results, in a no-brainer descent, just keep it pointed straight and go/stop.
None of the sumbitches had brakes worth shit. If I could have disabled all of the abs systems on the dodge trucks when I brought 'em home I would have. The durango we have now is a total pile in the brake department, I've done every "fix" possible to make the pos have something approaching "brakes" that work, can't be done.
Driving the abs shit is like having someone else operate the brake system with about a three second lag time. And once this durango goes away (real soon now), we'll never own anything else with abs (or a computer for that matter).
The dodge abs system is a total disaster in heavy snow/ice unless you have cables on all four tires, and that includes using 4high under extreme snow conditions. The problem is not accelerating/steering in the major slippery stuff we have here, it is stopping! And stopping in heavy snow accumulation coming down from 9k+ft. Passes throughout the western u.s. Must be done in 4l to be able to use engine braking, the abs will put you in the ditch or over the cliff. Our driving conditions throughout the western u.s. Are every bit as "severe" in winter as what you folks have anywhere in europe.
The same driving conditions, (including the addition of a 6,000lb. Trailer on the hitch) with my '73 IH pickup 4x4 with cables/chain hybrids on the front axle (including major serious mud tires) and conventional chains on the front axle of the trailer results, in a no-brainer descent, just keep it pointed straight and go/stop.
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