Almost lost the car today...almost

[Cooter]

Mopar Action had a two part series about retrofitting ABS to the rear wheels in the October and December 2012 issues. That would be more useful than a change in tire size or brake type. A locked wheel is a locked wheel, however fancy your binders.

If I could put my hands on the issues, I'd scan them for you, but I'm sure plenty of other people here have them.

Abs better than say disc if one had to decide?

If you knew how problematic those systems are, you'd think twice. Ask any late 90's early 2000's Ford truck with RWAB about the system lasting for about the first time the light comes on and system is disabled. ABS brakes isn't a "catch all" for improper, or just plain ol bad luck when driving. You drive 'em daily, you takes your chances. Sooner or later, you play the odds enough, you will lose. Just do yourself a favor and insure the hell outta the car. That way, when your odds run out, you will walk away with a big, fat, roll in your pocket.

[BrianShaughnessy]

Mopar Action had a two part series about retrofitting ABS to the rear wheels in the October and December 2012 issues. That would be more useful than a change in tire size or brake type. A locked wheel is a locked wheel, however fancy your binders.

If I could put my hands on the issues, I'd scan them for you, but I'm sure plenty of other people here have them.

Mopar Action claims you can do the ABS for less than $60, so it really shouldn't have to be one or the other.

The rear end involved with this is a 9.25 that had fittings for the sensor and a tone ring.     Finding the parts to retrofit that on once that particular set of problems was already overcome could be done on the cheap.   If somebody is starting with nothing and decides to try to use a 9.25 more power to them but most people here have a 8.75 to begin with and might upgrade to a Dana if the other goes BoOM!

Retrofitting ABS onto a 8.75 or Dana is another matter.

[bill440rt]

Wow, scary stuff.
Glad to hear you and the car are OK, Dino.

I too read that Mopar Action ABS article. I was intrigued by it. Lots of creativity.

[Patronus]

Glad she's alright old boy! Coulda put the RMS in and just gone around..?

[Mike DC]

Wow Dino, I'm glad you're okay.  

--------


Rear drum brakes = poop.  

Front drum brakes = steaming poop.



From what I've seen of brake retrofits, the improvement that comes with discs is greater than just the fade resistance.  In theory the drums are fine as long as you can lock up all four wheels, but in real world usage I think the discs usually end up getting it done sooner & better.  

The 14" wheels are another factor but the car was gonna skid anyway.  A 14" wheel with a hi-perf tire is probably gonna do better than a 15" wheel with a ghetto-fabulous economy tire. 

[preid]

Dirk,
Sorry to hear about this!  Glad it turned out ok, though.  Nice save    

Regarding you looking for a new set of tires/wheels.  I think I told you, I just recently put on a new set (tires/wheels) myself.  The set I took off only had about 2K miles, be happy to let you have either the set or a pair for the fronts at minimal cost, not looking to make any money on these.  Send me a PM if interested.

[Dino]

Thanks for the concerns and brake wisdom guys, much appreciated.  I'm still enjoying every minute of my charger, it's sitting outside right now looking mean.   

I let my guard down and assumed that person would see 18 feet of white car but that was wrong.  I'm fully expecting ninja's trying to run me off the road once more so I'll be fine.   

I posted a thread about wheels in the wheel section so if you have a minute please look at the one I posted and share your thoughts.  I am open to other models but due to the driving I do, on the crappy roads we have, I am sticking with 15" rims.

Paul, I'm sending you a pm.

[RIDELIKEHELL]

  I just read this! I would've been a nervous wreck and wanted to chase the MF down as I have done that b4. So glad you made it Dino...

[model maker]

 I am glad both you & the Charger are ok. I want to say this, To be seen, run with your headlights ON during the day. It does make your car stand out that's why daytime running lights are now standard  on new cars & trucks. The thing that bugs me is those people who just refuse to use the headlights in rain/fog and their excuse always seems to be this " why do I need my lights on,? I can see just fine"  the lights are not for the driver to see but to make other drivers see YOU ! you take a look the next time it rains or storms and notice the  cars without lights on hidden in the crowd of cars that DO. the car without lights is completely hidden & hard to even see especially in your mirrors that have to do double duty because of fogged up windows that cars get in cold weather. If I had a classic charger, you better believe my lights would be on & maybe the hi beams during the bright sunny day. if someone gets irritated because of your hi beams, screw em but at least THEY Saw YOU !

[dyslexic teddybear]

Agree on rainy conditions, but perhaps you do not realize....on sunny days, running headlights cuts your brake/turn lights visibility. In the sun, it's hard enough to make out when the brake light is on or off.....having the tail light on just makes that worse.

For that reason I never run headlights on in bright sun.

All other times

I am glad both you & the Charger are ok. I want to say this, To be seen, run with your headlights ON during the day. It does make your car stand out that's why daytime running lights are now standard  on new cars & trucks. The thing that bugs me is those people who just refuse to use the headlights in rain/fog and their excuse always seems to be this " why do I need my lights on,? I can see just fine"  the lights are not for the driver to see but to make other drivers see YOU ! you take a look the next time it rains or storms and notice the  cars without lights on hidden in the crowd of cars that DO. the car without lights is completely hidden & hard to even see especially in your mirrors that have to do double duty because of fogged up windows that cars get in cold weather. If I had a classic charger, you better believe my lights would be on & maybe the hi beams during the bright sunny day. if someone gets irritated because of your hi beams, screw em but at least THEY Saw YOU !

[Cooter]

Dino, I was driving my Dart home from the shop the other day. Ok, things are going ok...I'm doing my 55-60 MPH @3600 RPM in the "Slow lane" and this SUV passes me with the tiniest chick driving and looking in her rearview mirror talking to what appeared to be kids in the back. I'm thinking "oh boy, glad she's going round me"...A friend is driving about three lengths in front of her in the laft lane. I see out the corner of my eye, a State Trooper on the side of the road with a rollback picking up a car to the right. Lights on the truck flashing as well as on the Police car.

This dumbass chick decides about 6 car lengths from this, to whip out and pass my buddy who I guess wasn't driving at least 20 MPH OVER the speed limit and THEN, she sees the Cop. Slams on the brakes and I see tire smoke. She has to completely STOP in the road, let my buddy who I could see through his pickup's rear window, Laughing like hell and flippin her the bird, me and two other cars pass before she could move. By that time, I looked in my rearview and see the Trooper Getting out of his crusier and motioning for her to pull over. With the influx of "northern" driver's here in my area, this has become the norm. People driving like idiots when it comes to speeding. In a damn big ass hurry for nothing. Like 10 min. they save on the road will save their job or something? Get their dumbasses up earlier.

In the same trip home I had some other douch try and ride up my ass. Well, I remembered what I think it was Topcat said to do when people tailgate instead of "Brake checking" them. I simply slowed down and when he whipped his little shitbox out as if he was pissed off, I simply STABBED down on all 505 Cubic inches of raw, loud, Nitrous injected Power. Left his dumbass sitting like he was tied to a tree. Dude in the opposite lane in a truck, was laughing so hard, I could only make out his Thumbs up motion.

Point is, unfortunately, no longer can we simply go for a Pleasure drive without a care in the world. Now, we have to constantly be aware of these idiots and THEIR driving habits which will hurt US.