Owning a truck is an excellent choice of vehicle, and the Ram 1500 has numerous awards for its reliability and performance. However, all that truck requires a lot of power to stop it effectively for your safety and the safety of others. To help find you the best brakes for your truck and provide you with all the information necessary as to why brakes are so important, we will look at five of the best brake pads for the Ram 1500.
5 Best Brake Pads for Ram 1500
| Rank | Picture | Product | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| #1 |  | Power Stop K2164-36 Z36 | Available on Amazon |
| #2 |  | Power Stop Z36-1084, Z36 | Available on Amazon |
| #3 |  | Bosch BSD1084 Severe Duty Disc Brake Pad Set | Available on Amazon |
| #4 |  | Bosch BC1084 QuietCast Premium Ceramic Disc Brake Pad Set | Available on Amazon |
| #5 |  | EBC Brakes DP61639 6000 Series | Available on Amazon |
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5 Best Brake Pads for Ram 1500
#1 – Power Stop K2164-36 Z36 Truck & Tow Front and Rear Brake Kit
When you need absolute confidence in your brakes, the Power Stop Brake kit gives you everything you need to use your truck to its full potential. The kit comes with everything you need, from rotors to brake pads, to ensure that you are getting all the equipment and power you need when towing or hauling.
The Z36 Carbon-Fiber ceramic brakes are similar to the ones seen on Formula 1 cars and are engineered to eliminate brake dust and help you stop on a dime. When paired with the stainless steel rotors, this package makes for a beautiful combination of performance and efficiency to help you stop on a dime when towing big weight.
#2 – Power Stop Z36-1084, Z36 Truck & Tow Carbon-Fiber Ceramic Front Brake Pads
Just as the Power stop full brake system is an excellent choice for Ram 1500 owners, opting for just the brake pads is just as viable. When you need all the stopping power you can have when towing and hauling, the carbon-fiber ceramic compound in these brakes will give you the power you need to stop with ease.
These brake pads come with specially designed shims and chamfered slots so that from first installing them to their last days, these pads will be clean on your wheels and quiet to your ears. No matter the load and no matter the road, these brake pads were designed from the ground up to bring you and your haul to a stop with ease.
#3 – Bosch BSD1084 Severe Duty Disc Brake Pad Set
Bosch has been one of the leading names in brakes, and their Severe Duty Disc Brake pad set is no exception. When your truck is pulling cargo all day and is constantly exposed to heavy loads, it needs all the help it can get to come to a stop. With these Bosch pads, you get the benefit of their years of expertise in making excellent semi-metallic brake pads.
These pads are designed with the worst driving conditions in mind, and Bosch put them through a substantial amount of testing before creating their final product. The performance and efficiency of these pads will keep you braking with confidence for many miles.
#4 – Bosch BC1084 QuietCast Premium Ceramic Disc Brake Pad Set
Bosch not only makes great semi-metallic brake pads, but their premium line of ceramic pads is also great for your truck. With a unique rubber core multilayer shim, these pads are designed to reduce noise when braking while still providing all the stopping power necessary for your truck. A protective layer on the pads prevents them from heat damage and helps to further their life expectancy under braking conditions. The addition of ceramic components to the already excellent Bosch braking system makes these ceramics a great deal for the average truck driver.
#5 – EBC Brakes DP61639 6000 Series Greenstuff Truck and SUV Brake Pad
If you are looking for a slight boost in performance over your standard brakes, the EBC Greenstuff brake pads will be just what you need. While they may not be the most advanced or specific pads, they do what they need to do for your truck, and they do it well. These pads come with a unique coating that makes them great for everyday use and normal driving.
Despite a shorter lifespan than some other brake pads, the high friction and slotted design of these pads make them great for stopping and very quiet when in use. What these brakes lack in flair and complex design, they make up for with easy installation and just all-around solid performance.
Brake Pad Buyers Guide
Now that we know some of the best brake pads available for the Ram 1500, let’s look at some more details about brake pads in general, so you know what to look for. We will cover some of the essential buying information when looking for brake pads and then answer some of the most frequently asked questions about brake pad replacement.
What to remember when Buying Brake Pads?
Buying brake pads isn’t an entirely difficult process, but there are still a few key details to look out for when making your choice. One of the most important things to look for is the average lifespan of the brake pads you buy, as that will indicate how long they could last and how long you can go before buying new brakes.
Additionally, you can also lookout for the material that the brakes are made out of. Brake pads are usually either made of a ceramic or metallic compound that will have slightly different braking characteristics that we will look at further later on. It is also very important that you pick brake pads that are the right size and design to fit onto your truck.
What are the Deciding Factors to Consider When Looking for Brake Pads?
Most brakes are fairly similar, and they are all designed for the same thing: stop your truck. However, there is still some room for differences that you may want to consider when choosing the right brake pads for your truck.
Most people look at the price of the pads as the most important part of the deciding factor as that determines how affordable you can replace your pads. The price you pay also determines the general quality of the brakes, so going for a cheaper pair will mean more replacing and less effectiveness.
Factors like the sound the brakes make, how much brake dust they produce, and how long they can last on average are all signs you should consider when picking your next set of pads.
Tips When Buying Brake Pads Online
Buying brake pads online is a relatively new concept that is making buying brake pads much easier. When buying brake pads online, the world is at your fingers, and you have access to almost any brake pad you could want. However, this excessive amount of information can easily become overwhelming and blur your vision if you are not careful.
When buying your brake pads online, it is very important to make sure you are buying the right brake pads for your truck. Any good website or seller will clearly mention what models the pads are designed for, so you don’t have any added confusion. Many websites will even have features that recommend the best pads for your needs and truck.
Make sure to look out for sketchy sellers and unfair prices by doing your research and checking many sources to see how much you should be paying for certain brake pads.
Brake Pad FAQs
While every brake is different, there are some general guidelines to follow when determining if you need to change your brake pads. Despite how often they are used to slow down your truck, most brake pads have a life expectancy of around 40,000 miles. You can sometimes get up to 60,000 or as low as 20,000, so you will have to be aware of when you install new brakes and how they are performing on the road.
When your brakes are beginning to fade and get worn, there are a few key signs to look for that will help tell you if you need new brake pads. The first thing most people notice will be the sound of scraping when you brake as there is not much material left on the pad to stop you. Additionally, you can just look at your brakes and see how much material is left on the pads. If there is less than a ¼ inch of material left, it is probably time for new pads.
Changing your brakes at home requires lots of tools and time, but it can be done. In general, you will need a fairly serious car jack, wrenches, various sockets, ratchets, and a breaker bar. The brake pad you buy may contain information as to what tools are needed specifically for installation, but you can find more detailed information on their websites.
Most brake pads are either made up of metallic materials or ceramic. While they both do roughly the same thing, there are a few differences between them that make them suited for different needs. Ceramic brake pads are made up of various fibers and are designed to keep your brakes cooler and quieter than traditional pads, but they come at a higher cost. Metallic pads are made of either steel or copper and do the same job for less money while producing more noise when used. The brake pads you choose will really come down to your budget and personal preference for what you want from a brake pad.
Depending on how many miles your brake rotors have seen, replacing your rotors may or may not be necessary. If you have not replaced your brake rotors before and have driven over 30,00 miles, then you should definitely consider getting new rotors installed. These two parts work together and need to both be strong in order for you to brake effectively.
Installing your own brake pads is certainly possible, but it requires some skill, time, and lots of equipment. Unless you are a mechanic and know your way around a car, taking your truck to get brake pads installed professionally will ensure proper installation and more peace of mind when you are driving, knowing a professional installed your brake pads.
If you are looking to buy just brake pads and not rotors, then you can expect to pay somewhere around $50 dollars. The price will probably be a little higher if you are looking at a nice set of ceramic pads and a little lower if you are looking for metallic pads. Make sure to get the best pads you can afford, as this will lead to the best braking performance possible.
The average lifespan for a set of brake pads on a Ram 1500 can be anywhere from 25,000-60,000 miles. The reason the average is so large is that the way you drive, what the weather and roads are like, and numerous other conditions can all play a role in how well your brake pads will perform and last.
Best brake pads for ram 1500: Conclusion
Despite how minor your truck brakes may seem, they play a large part in keeping you and your cargo safe. Taking a look back at 5 of the best options for a Ram 1500, it is easy to see why so many truck owners put time and effort into choosing their perfect brakes. With the additional buyer’s guide and questions answered, you are now equipped to go and find the perfect brakes for you and your truck.
