Review: Alcon Brakes for Gen 2

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Reaper308

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guess we all have opinions. don't much care what anyone else thinks.

stainless lines are not needed in the vast vast majority of cases. (note: most of us don't run baja offroad laps in races) and hardly anyone really cares to pay for them.

How many trucks have stainless lines from the factory, even as part of a package? (including the raptor)

exactly
So if the factory doesn’t put them on then there not an improvement am I understanding the logic correctly?

And yes you are correct in most applications on a Raptor or any street car they aren’t required and I would say that the way the average consumer drives and also pays attention to the little details of their vehicle they wouldn’t even notice changing to Braided SS lines. But in my opinion when and if modifying your brakes the lines are a very small cost for an improvement in your brake lines but again to each their own. I’ve had a brake line failure of a small hole due to a bulge and luckily was pulling in to a gas station when it completely failed, hopefully you never have that feeling of brake pedal going to the floor.
 

raptor556

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cool man.

so what is the cost of just adding braided lines?

no never had that feeling. brake failures are extremely uncommon.
 

Zeusmotorworks

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Failure argument aside, it's been my experience the reduced pedal travel in most platforms adds a "feel" that is worth upgraded lines alone. Pedal is more responsive due to less distance pressed to achieve the same braking result. The difference in feel is readily apparent to even the most untrained driver. Now there are some platforms in which OE lines are so good (or just new) the difference if any is not noticed, but those seem to be few and far between. If you are breaking open the system, why not. Sure it may not change the final pressure on the pads, but if it does so with a shorter pedal stroke, and you like that as a benefit, why wouldn't you upgrade them while you are there?

Back to the intent of the thread... so am I understanding that no one can get a hold of the newer 4 bolt brackets right now? I really like the look of the Roush color and damn sure find the price MUCH more reasonable.
 
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raptor556

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Failure argument aside, it's been my experience the reduced pedal travel in most platforms adds a "feel" that is worth upgraded lines alone. Pedal is more responsive due to less distance pressed to achieve the same braking result. The difference in feel is readily apparent to even the most untrained driver. Now there are some platforms in which OE lines are so good (or just new) the difference if any is not noticed, but those seem to be few and far between. If you are breaking open the system, why not. Sure it may not change the final pressure on the pads, but if it does so with a shorter pedal stroke, and you like that as a benefit, why wouldn't you upgrade them while you are there?

Back to the intent of the thread... so am I understanding that no one can get a hold of the newer 4 bolt brackets right now?
Your "feel" is in your head brother.

the line whether oem or stainless doesn't change the "feel" of braking.

If the pedal stroke is different, you changed something else and that can most likely be attributed to you changing the brake fluid when the lines were changed out.

stainless lines do exactly one thing well ABRASION RESISTANCE and that is it. And if the lines were installed properly, that ain't a factor anyhow.
 

UrbanMenace

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These Roush painted Alcon Calipers look great. I'm going with quality stainless steel lines due to the 6 pistons in each caliper if the 2nd gen raptor front lines aren't already stainless steel. Some one on the board mentioned the front lines are already stainless steel. Still need to look into the oem construction...

Anyone who has changed out rubber brake lines for quality stainless steel can tell a difference in pedal feel and brake control. Switched to stainless steel from rubber front brake lines on a motorcycle couple years back. Much easier activate the front anti lock break system (abs) with stainless steel lines.
 

raptor556

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These Roush painted Alcon Calipers look great. I'm going with quality stainless steel lines due to the 6 pistons in each caliper if the 2nd gen raptor front lines aren't already stainless steel. Some one on the board mentioned the front lines are already stainless steel. Still need to look into the oem construction...

Anyone who has changed out rubber brake lines for quality stainless steel can tell a difference in pedal feel and brake control. Switched to stainless steel from rubber front brake lines on a motorcycle couple years back. Much easier activate the front anti lock break system (abs) with stainless steel lines.
yeah. pretty easy to tell the difference between older brake fluid and brand new brake fluid.
cheers
 

TomDirt

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When considering the price of the Alcon setup, I noticed that they cost approximately the same as an entire new motor. Are they useful, important, and pretty? YES. Are they ridiculously overpriced compared to other things you need or want? I'm gonna go with Yes. There is no reason Ford couldn't license them, make them for a fraction of the retail price, and offer them as an option on new vehicles while ALSO making them available for the 15 million F150s already built.Screenshot_20220427-081316_Chrome.jpgScreenshot_20220427-080950_Chrome.jpg
 
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