Hello, I am new to the forum. I've searched around but find no definitive answer on how to improve braking. My ride is a '96 Cherokee Classic, stock - no mods. My biggest complaint about the car is braking. It is just plain poor. The same as my '92 Cherokee was. It has anti-lock brakes which come in handy in snow but there is no way I could lock those up on dry pavement. I do no off-roading; just a fun, handy all-purpose car.

Brakes are in good shape and always maintained. Front disks/pads checked and are OK, rear drums had new pads a few months ago.

My question is: what recommendations can you all make on how to improve braking? Modifications are OK but this should be on a budget.

 

Get new rotors and ceramic pads for the front. Bleed the brakes and get fresh fluid in there. Get new tires with smaller, lighter wheels.

 

bleed the brakes and get better pads/rotors. Raybestos has got a good rep and Hawk brake pads seem to be the best from what other people have said. Also make sure your calipers are working right

 

Here is the question.. do you want bolt on upgrades, or upgrades that require more work.

Bolt on upgrades and you are limited to pads and shoes.

MOre work ones would require re disc conversion, after market prop valves different make Mastercylinders.

Personally I am running stock 87 brake booster with a 78 grand marquis Master cylinder (1.25 bore version) with a xj prop valve with the zj prop spring mod, to chevy 78 chevy calipers front and rear. I can lock up my 36's , and hold my rig still in double low.

 

Anti-lock brakes you can't lock up on dry pavement? Really?

 

I have Powerslot and Hawk ceramic combo.....overrated if you ask me.
Just go with napa premium and save yourself some $.
Make sure you service (bench bleed) your master cylinder as well.

 

Brakes are much better now. I had the fluid changed because it was brown. The front rotors brake surface were glazed like glass. One could be cut, the other was replaces. New, semi-metallic pads were installed. The rear brakes were replaced not long ago so the shoes were sanded and the drums cut.

The results is much better brakes. Now I can stop safely.

Many thanks for the responses. I appreciate the input.

 

Good job!

Now for the rear disc brake conversion.
Just did mine.....
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f46/pr...6/#post1637208

 

That's extremely worthwhile.

 

Whooda thunk it?

 

If you want even better braking, swapping to the 95+ XJ or 99+WJ booster will get you a dual booster.

 

Do a rear disc conversion youll love it i drove an xj same setup as mine 4.5 inch lift 32s and my brakes are all new drums i replaced in summer doing my 8.25 swap and front pads are new mine stop like crap i drove an xj with disc rear holy crap i loved those breaks stopped better then any xj ive driven with drum rear im doing a disc conversion funds permitting as soon as i get a better job

 

best bang for the buck...http://www.jpmagazine.com/techarticl...des/index.html

 

My XJ had terrible brakes until I changed out the rear brake cylinders.