New Bendix Ultimate 4WD Big Brake Upgrade Kits

Bendix’s new ADR-compliant Ultimate 4WD Big Brake Upgrade Kits deliver vastly improved braking performance for owners of dual cab utes and their wagon derivatives, in the convenience of two comprehensive kits (front and rear).

Dual cab utes are not known for having great braking performance, and while stopping power might be adequate in standard specification, the truth is that not many stay in standard trim for long.

The increasing popularity of these cars as dual-purpose vehicles – family haulers and workhorses – means that there’s a huge range of accessories and modifications available. Although these improve functionality, they also add weight, increase centre of gravity and rolling resistance. In short, standard brakes can quickly become underdone and even more so if towing a camper, caravan or trailer full of tools. 

The new Ultimate 4WD Big Brake Upgrade Kits address this situation, offering a high quality, comprehensive braking solutions that are available in the convenience of a kit.

What’s included?

The front kit includes larger diameter Ultimate 4WD Disc Brake Rotors, Bendix 6-Piston monoblock calipers with bracket mounting kit, as well as Ultimate 4WD Brake Pads and Ultimate 4WD Braided Brake Hoses. 

The larger Ultimate 4WD Disc Brake Rotors are a generous 365mm in diameter and feature a ‘Diamond Tip Slot’ that allows gases to escape in demanding driving situations, maintaining braking performance and consistent pedal feel. The rotor design also offers improved self-cleaning qualities. 

Other benefits of the rotors include High Carbon Metallurgy which improves noise dampening while lowering thermal conductivity – together this results in improved durability and stopping power, while robust pillar construction aids thermal stability. Additionally, the Ultimate 4WD Disc Brake Rotors come with SwiftFit surface protection allowing the rotors to be fitted immediately and without the need to clean or treat them with anti-rust oil.     

Complementing the Ultimate 4WD Disc Brake Rotors are the proven Ultimate 4WD Brake Pads which have been specially designed for use with slotted rotors. The pads feature ceramic friction material that has low dust and noise properties, while providing high temperature stability and excellent fade resistance. Also included is a Mechanical Retention System (MRS) backing plate, a technology that’s used in commercial vehicle brake pads and offers improved pad attachment strength in heavy duty operating conditions.

Another important component of the front kit is the Bendix 6-Piston calipers – with additional pistons compared to OEM calipers, greater pressure is applied to the brake pads, resulting in shorter stopping distances.

Also included in the kits are SAEj1401-approved Ultimate 4WD Brake Hoses which comply to international design standards and offer the added protection of a braided line with sleeve, leading to firm and consistent brake feel in all conditions. Rounding-out this exciting offering is a litre of Bendix Heavy Duty Brake Fluid, a can of Bendix Clean-up, a tube of Ceramasil brake parts lubricant and a 60 litre Bendix branded icebox. 

Rear Ultimate 4WD Big Brake Upgrade kit with drum to disc conversion

The rear Ultimate 4WD Big Brake Upgrade Kit is a full drum to disc conversion kit, that removes all OE drum assembly and replaces it with the Bendix Ultimate 4WD disc rotors and hydraulic calipers. The installation of the kit requires the removal of all components from the vehicle axles, which is why the kit comes complete with replacement bearings and seals (ABS rings and collars depending on vehicle model).

The kit also includes a replacement park brake mechanism that’s actuated using the OE park brake cable, Bendix Brake Hoses, Ultimate 4WD Brake Pads and all the ancillary components and accessories mentioned for the front kits. 

Meeting ADRs

Owners of the new Bendix Ultimate 4WD Big Brake Upgrade Kits can rest assured that these kits are 100 percent legal and comply with Australian Design Rules. Some legal variances from state to state will mean that in certain locations (VIC, NSW, ACT, SA and TAS), an engineering inspection will be required to ensure the kits have been installed properly and are functioning correctly, after which a mod plate will be issued.

For owners in QLD and WA, Bendix have a pre-authorised LG1 certificate, and all that’s required after fitment is to advise the registration authority of the installation.

Test results reveal massive braking improvement    

During development of the Ultimate 4WD Big Brake Upgrade Kits, Bendix undertook extensive testing on an unmodified Dual Cab PX Ford Ranger 4x4. Stopping distance from 80 to 0 km/h in this standard, unloaded Ranger was 41.5 metres. When this same vehicle was fitted with both front and rear kits, stopping distance dropped to 32.5 metres, an improvement of 9 metres or around 1.5 car lengths.

Separate Bendix testing using a Holden Colorado also demonstrated the dramatic affect adding weight to a vehicle can have on braking performance. In the case of a standard Colorado, braking distance from 80 to 0 km/h when empty was approximately 50 metres. With added weight in the form of vehicle accessories, camping equipment and four occupants (adding an extra 680kg of mass), the stopping distance grew to approximately 75 metres.  

Vehicle suitability – Front Kit

Front Ultimate 4WD Big Brake Upgrade Kits are available for a wide range of popular dual cab utes and wagons, including Ford Ranger (PX, PX II & PX III); Holden Colorado (RG & RG2), Colorado 7 (RG); Isuzu D-Max (TFR, TFS & RG), M-UX (RG); Mazda BT-50 (UP & UR); Mitsubishi Triton (MQ & MR); Nissan Navara (D23 & NP300) and Toyota Hilux (Gen 7, KUN26, GGN25, Gen 8 & GUN136). 

Vehicle suitability – Rear Kit

Rear Ultimate 4WD Big Brake Upgrade Kits are available for the Ford Ranger (PX, PX II & PX III), Isuzu D-Max (RG) and Toyota Hilux (Gen 8 & GUN 136). Additional kits are coming soon.

Find out more about the new Bendix Ultimate 4WD Big Brake Upgrade Kits here.