I have a daily driver 01 Ford Ranger 4x4, which needs some brake work.

I've been looking at Hawk HPS pads. I like them in my other cars. But I'm wondering if they have enough bite for a heavy truck?

Hawk now makes some heavy duty truck/SUV pads as well, but I don't know anyone who has tried them. I'm open to other brands, but I know these work well and they're easy to get... (On edit, no plans for towing anything.)

Also, any suggestions on rear shoes to match? The drums are warped, so I'll be replacing those at the same time.

The truck shocks thread worked out pretty really well, FWIW. So I figured I'd try asking about brakes.

I ended up with Bilstein HDs, which are working out very well. They and got rid of the herky-jerky ride of the old (almost 100K mile) OEM shocks and ride quite nicely--not to firm, not too soft. (Thanks Sam.)

-John

FWIW, I used the Hawk HPS pads on my Z28 for street driving and autocross before switching to the PBR Metal Masters, and I like the Metal Masters better for both applications. I don't know if they are available for anything except PBR brakes or whether the Ranger has PBRs, but I'm sure Sam can tell you.

I have no complaints with the stock ceramic (I think) brakes on my Dodge 2500 4x4 HD, but those brakes are HUGE, and I've never tried them on anything smaller.

I'm still anxious to get some Bilsteins on the Dodge, but first I have to stop hemorrhaging cash.

I just use Performace Friction's from Autozone on my 98 Sonoma Cheap with a warranty

I just came back from BRP were I ran this 4000lb truck on the 3 mile 20 something turn track in 95 deg heat with no fade! I'm using a C4 HD Baer setup on the front.

You know you're hardcore when you've got a big brake kit on your pickup.

Performance friction--I hadn't thought of that one. Great idea.

Sean, I think I have Bosch calipers. Isn't PBR Metalmaster the same as Axxis? I am pretty sure it is. If so, yes.

I am the only one that didn't seem to like the PBRs for high-speed autocrossing. I switched to Hawk HP+ and I like those a lot better. Daily driving is something different, though, I know...

-John

I put Hawk HPS pads on my '00 Silverado Z71 a week ago. It stops much nicer than it ever did on the stock ceramics. I'll be towing the boat with it shortly (20' fiberglass fish 'n ski). So far I'm really happy the brake pads and I expect only good results with the trailer behind it. I went with HPS, because it's what I have experience with.

I have no idea whether Axxis is just a retail brand for PBR, or another company that gets at least some of their pads from PBR. Yes, My PBRs came in an Axxis box; I just don't want jump to any conclusions.

I like the PBR Metal Master Axxis pads better than the HPS because they dust less and squeel less for daily driving, and they are more consistent from beginning to end for an autocross run. They bite and modulate well. The HPS pads would drop off some by the end of a run (and that was with Castrol SRF fluid).

Kevin didn't like the Metal Masters either, though.

I have heard that they are sensitive to being bedded in properly. I installed them along with new rotors at the same time, and basically followed the break-in instructions as closely as possible (except that the rotors were supposed to be broken in with used pads and vice-versa).

I don't think I'd want the HP+ for daily driving, but I haven't tried them.

I run HP+ on the front of my Camaro with '98+ front brakes. They need to warm up first-they don't bite poorly in cold weather, but it always takes me an autocross run to get them working 100%. The bigger issue is the horrendous amount of dust. They are loud, but if you clean the backing plate and caliper surfaces well and apply some thick anti-squeal adhesive they are dead silent. In fact I need to reapply the adhesive since I rebuilt the calipers. The dust alone will drive most people insane and realisitically you should clean your wheels once a week. I do occasionally daily drive the car for a week.

Me neither. I like the HP+ for autocrossing the Camaro. But I have to agree that the HPS is better idea for lower dust/noise and I'm pretty sure overall longevity as well.

Rob--Thanks for the feedback. I think my truck smaller, size-wise. (Brake system is dual-piston front calipers, 12-inch rotors and 10-inch drums in rear.)

If HPS is working well for you, it should be fine for me too, with the PBR/Axxis or PFC Carbon Metallics as a backup. I've always had good luck with the HPS, so I'm happy to try them again.

Sean, as an aside, I have also broken in new pads/rotors as a set. I did this with a set of HPS and Brembo rotors on our Maxima.

I basically followed the Hawk break-in recommendations (several medium stops, followed by a few medium-hard stops) and then drove for a while to cool them off. I let the car sit for a while afterwards. I didn't repeat that cycle, though, which is something the StopTech directions say to do.

They've worked well so far. I just checked them yesterday, while doing other workd, and they're showing very little wear after 28,000 miles.

-John