I been lately thinking that I want to do an upgrade on my front brakes and rear brakes as well front rotors. I have decided to go with drilled and slotted rotors with some semi metallic brakes or ceramic (still debating). Can anyone here give me some good recommendations on which brand to select to do my upgrades. I also want to upgrade my shocks in which I am thinking of going KYB. Anyone please put your two cents in hahaha. Gladly appreciated (please specify the product number). 1997 Nissan Pathfinder SE 4X4.

If you are going with the KYB Excel/GR-2 shocks, you really aren't "upgrading." They are the same as the stock units that came on your truck. You might want to move up to the KYB Gas-a-just, which are a monotube design, or even switch to Bilsteins.

If you do a lot of very aggressive driving, then drilled and slotted rotors may be helpful, but if you don't, it's probably going to turn out being a waste of money and you may experience a "growl" noise as you slow to a stop, just like you would if you had a rotor resurface with a worn bit, aka "zipper cut." The drill holes are designed to help dissipate heat. The front rotors are pretty hefty and vented, so to get them heated enough to where they need additional cooling means you're really giving you Pathy a workout!

I drive the Pathfinder 12 miles daily in which mostly is high way. I was going to purchase ceramic brakes for it. Any model for Bilsteins? I cannot seem to find the models for my Pathfinder.

For Ceramic brake pads, I would go with Akebono Pro ACT Ceramic pads or Raybestos Professional Series Ceramics, which you can get at Rockauto.com. Both are good and come with new hardware. Akebono is an OE supplier of brakes to Nissan.

For Bilsteins, you can go with either the HD's or the 5100's; both are monotube designs. the Bilstein HD's are for a stock ride height and the 5100's are good for a R50 with a 2" lift:

Bilstein HD (for no suspension lift):

http://www.4x4parts.com/i-18981412-path ... shock.html

Bilstein 5100 (for 2" suspension lift):

http://www.4x4parts.com/i-18981408-path ... shock.html

Thank you so much for the links! I been breaking my head all week to see what way to go. Another one too is deciding what rotors to throw in.

smj999smj wrote:For Ceramic brake pads, I would go with Akebono Pro ACT Ceramic pads or Raybestos Professional Series Ceramics, which you can get at Rockauto.com. Both are good and come with new hardware. Akebono is an OE supplier of brakes to Nissan.

For Bilsteins, you can go with either the HD's or the 5100's; both are monotube designs. the Bilstein HD's are for a stock ride height and the 5100's are good for a R50 with a 2" lift:

Bilstein HD (for no suspension lift):

http://www.4x4parts.com/i-18981412-path ... shock.html

Bilstein 5100 (for 2" suspension lift):

http://www.4x4parts.com/i-18981408-path ... shock.html

Any input on Rancho shocks?

jetstream87 wrote:Thank you so much for the links! I been breaking my head all week to see what way to go. Another one too is deciding what rotors to throw in.

For what you are using your vehicle for, any descent brand rotor will be fine. I've used Wagner and Raybestos Professional Series Advanced Technology rotors and can't say I've noticed a difference between either. Avoid economy and no name rotors as the quality of steel may not be too good and they may have a tendency to warp.

An update on pads... I recently installed a set of Wagner OEx pads on my 2008 and have been very happy with them, so far. They are a new line of ceramic pads from Wagner that are designed for crossovers, SUVs and light trucks to decrease stopping distance yet still be quiet and low dust. The lining is pretty funky looking. I haven't had them on long to have a long term opinion on them, yet, however.

Haven't ever had Rancho shocks, so I can't give you much as far as an opinion on them. They are used on off-road applications a lot, but for someone who is only driving back and forth to work, the KYBs or Bisteins might be a better choice.