There’s a train of thought out there that your 4X4s manufacturer built it right the first time. It’s strange logic. We all accept that plastic bumpers don’t suit our needs and replace them with bull bars. There’s no argument that a bar roof is suitable for loading gear onto, so we fit roof racks. And of course the factory road orientated tyres simply aren’t going to cut it in harsh or low traction terrain, so upgraded tyres are a must. It’s sound logic then that while our 4X4s brakes might cut the mustard in a stock standard rig, they’re not suitable for a modified 4X4 off the beaten track. Bendix aim to fix that with their new range of ADR approved Ultimate 4WD Big Brake Upgrade Kits.
So what do you get?
Bendix breaks the kits down into two parts so you can buy what you need, rather than having to fork out for the whole lot in one hit. Tick the box for the front kit and the first thing you’ll notice is those oh-so-sexy six pot brake calipers. Painted in that stunning blue, each caliper features six individual pistons. Match that with the included Ultimate 4WD brake pads with ceramic friction material and you’re going to get huge improvements in clamping force.
Those calipers won’t work with standard size rotors either, they’re specifically designed around larger 365mm diameter Bendix rotors. The bigger diameter alone gives your brakes more leverage to actually reign in your fully loaded tourer and camper trailer. They’re also packed full of smart tech like high carbon construction, diamond tip slots, as well as low dust properties. The result is brakes that stop better, quicker, in repeated applications, and won’t leave your fancy alloy wheels coated in dust. The kit also includes everything you need from braided brake lines and fluid, to brake cleaner and a 60L ice box that stores all the parts.
What about the rear?
Got way out of hand and ticked the box for the rear kit too? You’re in for a treat there. The Ultimate 4WD kit up back is a full drum to disc conversion kit. That means you’ll be binning your heavy OEM drum assembly and replacing it with Bendix calipers and rotors. The kit comes complete with everything to relocate your rear axle ABS sensors including all seals and bearings. You’ll also score a new park brake setup, hoses, pads, and all the goodies the front kit comes with. If you’re after more stopping power, have a dodgy handbrake, or frequently travel in muddy or sandy conditions the kit is well worth a look in if you’re eyeing off upgrading your 4X4 brakes.
Is it worth the price?
We’re not going to sugar coat it here. Big brakes don’t come with small prices. Still, if you’re willing to spend the money on performance mods like an upgraded turbo and intercooler setup then you should definitely be looking at upgraded 4X4 brakes. In unladen tests, Bendix recorded a huge 20% improvement in stopping distances at 80 km/h in a Ford Ranger. 41.5m from 80-0 with the OEM brakes, and a full 9 metres shorter at 32.5m with the full Bendix big brake kit. In a seperate test Bendix measured a Colorado loaded with camping gear and OEM brakes taking a full 50% longer to stop compared to an unladen ute. The front kits are available for most popular dual cab Utes and their wagon derivatives at the moment, with rear kits being available already for Rangers, Dmax’s, and HiLux’s with more to come.
