When building a fast truck, it's necessary to stop fast, too. By increasing the straightaway and cornering speeds of this '00 Dodge Dakota with a 6.1L Hemi powerplant and five-speed manual transmission behind it, and ex-race car driver Kirk Miller behind the wheel, we will need some serious braking power.
The factory Dodge Dakota braking performance will be enhanced with the installation of a new pair of replacement A1 Cardone Dodge single-piston disc brake calipers. The brake calipers were disassembled and reassembled at Top Line Performance in Huntington Beach, California. The A1 Cardone calipers needed some color, so we went to Specialized Coatings in Huntington Beach, California, where they would receive DuPont Red Baron powdercoating. Having your calipers powdercoated makes for a glistening appearance and easy cleaning.
The OEM Dodge front disc brake pads were improved with Posi Quiet disc brake pads along with power slot rotors that were dropped into the new A1 Cardone single-piston calipers.
The Dakota's spinnin' spools were ordered from The Tire Rack and came premounted, balanced, and ready to be installed. The Tire Rack sent us a set of new American Racing Dale Earnhardt Jr. Octane 22x8-1/2-inch wheels with black centers and polished stainless steel lips. The wheels have a 5-1/2-inch backspacing to achieve an important dimensional appearance. These Octane wheels will give the Dakota the serious racing image we were looking for. The 275/45R20 Avon Tech S/T tires fit the wheels perfectly and will give us the look and performance needed for our Dakota race project.
Check out how we upgraded the Dakota that we lowered last month. If your ride is in need of new wheels and brakes, contact the companies in the story and get rollin'
We upgraded the current front disc brakes with the addition of Power Slot cryogenic disc brake rotors, Posi Quiet disc brake pads, and A1 Cardone disc bake calipers. | 
The factory front disc brake rotor, caliper, and pads looked a little crusty and rusty. |
After disconnecting the brake line and caliper mounting bolts from the bracket, Jim Kwolack from Top Line Performance removed the factory caliper and rotor. | |