2024 BSBB - is there a good brake upgrade available?

[GJarrett]

2024 Bronco Sport Big Bend. We are about to move to a mountainous area that has steep switchbacks to our acreage and I also tow occasionally. I am wondering if there is a better set of brakes that I can install. Does the Badlands or other model have a more robust braking system than the basic Big Bend model; or alternatively, is there a heavy duty aftermarket set available?

I suppose there may be better pads available, but I'm also wanting to look at installing a heavier duty set of calipers or etc if they exist. Has anyone upgraded their brakes?

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[thomasm23]

Do you have adaptive cruise control?

 

[winn70]

2024 Bronco Sport Big Bend. We are about to move to a mountainous area that has steep switchbacks to our acreage and I also tow occasionally. I am wondering if there is a better set of brakes that I can install. Does the Badlands or other model have a more robust braking system than the basic Big Bend model; or alternatively, is there a heavy duty aftermarket set available?

I suppose there may be better pads available, but I'm also wanting to look at installing a heavier duty set of calipers or etc if they exist. Has anyone upgraded their brakes?

Get with your mechanic and explain what you’re looking for. They should be able to help get a heavier set of brakes. Good luck.

 

[GJarrett]

In reply to the snarky comments, maybe I should have re-worded my post that I am looking for anyone with an experienced opinion that has actually installed a set, which is why I joined a forum like this that has fellow owners of the same vehicle that I do.... hoping someone here that really owns the vehicle might know something a little bit more specific than AI generated google suggestions. I already did that general search and had hoped for some intelligent specific discussion.

I have multiple times wasted money buying something off of a "google search" that did not meet the expectation of its ad description; including several hundreds dollars wasted on a brake upgrade for my Mustang that was actually dangerous. BTW, the google link supplied above included links to the same type of dangerous item for the Bronco Sport application. A lot of good that does.

If one of you keyboard Google warriors actually know something resembling an actual answer to this question instead of insulting me, that would be helpful.

EDIT: looks like this thread got cleaned up. Thank you, moderators.

 

[GJarrett]

Do you have adaptive cruise control?

Yes

 

[Me3]

Hi, you might check with a good offroad mod shop to see what they recommend.

In the meantime, don’t forget you have the L button to help keep your speed down.

That’s a good thought about the Badlands brakes/calipers, higher towing capacity may equal higher performance brakes. It’s worth looking into. I’m not sure who you could ask (with confidence) except a dealer lead mechanic? Good luck.

 

[CLR]

How much are you towing and how long are the switchbacks?

I don’t tow, but I’ve never had any brake fade or other issues when going down some super steep passes in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

It doesn’t seem that there are any meaningful brake differences between the various trim levels. Unless they sneak something in with the factory tow package.

 

[GJarrett]

I haven't weighed it on a scale but a close estimate is somewhere close to or a little north of 1,800 lbs. The switchbacks on the shortcut back-road to the property aren't that long; they drop 1,500-ish ft in elevation over a span of maybe a mile or so. There is a longer way to town getting to a main highway that has an 8 percent grade for a few miles dropping maybe 1,700-ish ft that is steep and long enough that it has one of those truck runaway runoff ramp thingies on the way going down it.

This is just a place in the Tennessee hills, not a property perched up on a Colorado mountain, so maybe I'm overthinking it. What I'll be dealing with is certainly a lesser challenge than real mountains like in the Sierras, so that's encouraging to know. It's just when I'm towing that I would be worried.

I do have a factory tow package but I've looked at my brakes and brakes on another BS, and don't see a difference in them.

 

[Dangerdangle]

I haven't weighed it on a scale but a close estimate is somewhere close to or a little north of 1,800 lbs. The switchbacks on the shortcut back-road to the property aren't that long; they drop 1,500-ish ft in elevation over a span of maybe a mile or so. There is a longer way to town getting to a main highway that has an 8 percent grade for a few miles dropping maybe 1,700-ish ft that is steep and long enough that it has one of those truck runaway runoff ramp thingies on the way going down it.

This is just a place in the Tennessee hills, not a property perched up on a Colorado mountain, so maybe I'm overthinking it. What I'll be dealing with is certainly a lesser challenge than real mountains like in the Sierras, so that's encouraging to know. It's just when I'm towing that I would be worried.

I do have a factory tow package but I've looked at my brakes and brakes on another BS, and don't see a difference in them.

I don't have specific part recommendations for you as I havent done this myself, but you could certainly start with some upgraded rotors (preferably slotted and drilled for heat dispersion) and swap to metallic pads on at least the front end (vs ceramic).

You'll be replacing the metallic pads more frequently and they produce a bit more brake dust, but they'll certainly improve your stopping ability.

 

[CLR]

I haven't weighed it on a scale but a close estimate is somewhere close to or a little north of 1,800 lbs. The switchbacks on the shortcut back-road to the property aren't that long; they drop 1,500-ish ft in elevation over a span of maybe a mile or so. There is a longer way to town getting to a main highway that has an 8 percent grade for a few miles dropping maybe 1,700-ish ft that is steep and long enough that it has one of those truck runaway runoff ramp thingies on the way going down it.

Got it. Seems like you're well within the specs of the towing package. I'd start with regular maintenance- make sure your brake fluid has been flushed recently and that your pads and rotors are in good shape. Then just take it easy and see how it goes.

I haven't done any searches, but I don't recall seeing any issues about brake problems while towing on this forum.

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