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Ram 1500 Brake Accessories: Overview Guide

Ram 1500 Brake Accessories: Overview Guide

The brake system is all too often forgotten. Sure, they are simple and from the factory they work well. You’d know how much you’ve taken them for granted if they weren’t there. Imagine if you had neglected them. Instead you spent all of your money on dressing up the engine, picking out new shoes, and maybe even a light bar or three. Despite all that, the brakes were always there when you needed them. But maybe not this time. OK, maybe this is a little dramatic, but the point is: why not throw some TLC to your Ram 1500’s brake system? Dress it up and make it feel loved because every single day they’re doing their job to make you happy and to keep you and everyone around you happy. We’re going to avoid the typical upgrades you might make like pads rotors and calipers because these are the upgrades people already know all about; instead we are going to run through some of the non-typical upgrades that are made and why they are important.

Shop Ram Caliper Covers

Caliper covers are mostly an aesthetic mod, great for drawing extra attention to your Ram's wheels and tires and/or upgraded brakes. Caliper covers are also good for keeping hard to clean brake dust from sticking to your wheels.

Shop Caliper Covers

Ram 1500: Brake Lines

Brake lines are like veins in your body. They allow brake fluid to be pushed toward the calipers, which engages the brakes to keep you and your truck alive. The factory equipment works, but neglecting to monitor them is like eating a Big Mac every day. They’re going to start to break down and eventually one could pop.

When this happens bad things always follow with it. If you think it’s time to start replacing your Ram 1500 brake lines, consider taking the time to throw in some alternatives to the original stuff, like stainless steel lines. These will have a longer life and may even last the lifespan of the truck.

Another option is to consider is adding copper brake lines. Mechanics everywhere are starting to use copper lines over stainless.

For one, the lifespan on them is absolutely ridiculous. The actual material used is known as NICCOP, which is a combination of nickel, copper, manganese and iron.

The material can still oxidize, but it won’t corrode like steel when under the conditions they will be subjected to. These brake lines will likely last well past the the life of the vehicle, and they’re super flexible and easy to work with.

Think about it; copper pipes have been used in domestic plumbing for decades now. It’s done more than proven itself capable, so why not use it on your truck?

The last line upgrade that’s worth mentioning is using braided stainless line. These lines are generally used in place of the flex lines that run from the chassis to the caliper or to a T that splits the flow between the rear wheels.

If your Ram truck is lifted a considerable amount, you may have already made this upgrade as you would need the improved length. If your truck is getting up there in age your flex lines are likely due to be swapped out anyway, and you might as well upgrade them.

Benefits of Upgraded Ram 1500 Brake Lines:

  • Increased lifespan
  • Increased length for lifted Rams

Ram 1500 Caliper Covers

You ever see a Ram lifted up, looking big and mean and just as you thought everything was done right you look past the wheel spokes and see a factory caliper back there? Not painted or anything? It sticks out, and suddenly it’s all you can see.

Caliper covers are the way to keep the flow going and keep people from staring at them in the wrong way. Generally you can find them in red or black. Of course they come with custom logos to make them look like a factory piece. They’re sleek and cheap, and the best thing is they snap right in place.

You might ask yourself “why not just add aftermarket calipers?” Well, Rams are built well and a lot of people are happy with the factory brake system. That’s who this upgrade is for truthfully.

Benefits of Ram 1500 Caliper Covers

  • Protects calipers
  • Clean look

Ram 1500 Brake Proportioning Valves

Let’s say you’re building up your Ram for off-road use. You’ve already applied all the big bells and whistles, including bigger brakes all around. Adding in an aftermarket proportioning valves is something of a no brainer.

A proportioning valve’s job is to distribute the fluid pressure in the brake system properly to the front and rear of the vehicle. They are also designed to work with the factory style braking system.

After your Ram receives aftermarket calipers in the front and rear that are bigger than the factory units, you may want to consider replacing this piece of hardware. Now, most aftermarket brake calipers are designed to work with factory equipment, so it’s not a must.

Consider it more of a safe measure than anything. Also, you can pick up a unit that allows you to dial in the pressure distribution. This feature will help you tune the braking system to your desire.

Benefits of Upgraded Ram 1500 Proportioning Valves

  • Added ability over brake function
  • Better brake response

Ram 1500 Line Lock

Line locks are some really awesome units that are all over the automotive world. This is because it gives you on demand control of the brake system with the push of a button. They work by tapping into the brake lines, and at the moment of choice they can block off the front or rear brakes from fluid pressure. 

They do work for doing awesome brake stands, but it’s more likely you will see these units on Rock Crawler builds of Rams. Pedal work is key when you’re overcoming obstacles; being able to lock up the front wheels while the rear can spin freely, or even the other way around, will give you an edge in sticky situations.

Benefits of Ram 1500 Line Lock

  • On demand brake control
  • Prolonged life of mechanical components
Fitment includes: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, BigHorn, Express, HFE, Laramie, LaramieLonghorn, Limited, LoneStar, Longhorn, Outdoorsman, Rebel, RT, SLT, Sport, ST, TRX, TRX4, Tradesman, SRT10, SXT