There is no other more important system than braking, so when the folks at Baer told us at the SEMA Show that they were finishing up their latest kit—one designed to fit the Ford F-150, as well as the Expedition, Navigator and Navigator 4WD—we wanted to see one installed. Baer has been producing high-?performance braking systems since 1986. The company specializes in high-performance, bolt-on brake systems that radically enhance the ability of the otherwise stock brake systems. 

With the advent of 20-inch and larger wheels, not to mention that more and more enthusiasts are using their trucks for towing large toy-filled trailers, the need to upgrade the stock braking systems has never been more important. The additional size and weight of the larger wheels makes exponentially more inertia than the stock wheels do, making larger, more purpose-built brakes a must. If the trailer you are towing is not equipped with its own trailer brakes, then the truck is required to slow down that weight as well, so pay attention to your rig, front and rear, because when these two factors are combined the result is that the stock truck will require much longer distances to come to a complete stop.  

Recently we were on hand as the crew at Extreme Automotive in Canoga Park, California, installed one of the very first kits that Baer released. In fact, this was literally the first one released. Extreme Automotive is a Ford specialist with more than 11 years in the business, and is also a longtime Baer distributor. We love to be in on things like this, and the chance to see a new product installed for the first time is exciting to us. When that new product is safety related it’s all the better. 

Though larger brakes may be on your list simply because they are really cool looking, there is much more to the Baer Extreme-Plus system than simply improved aesthetics. As cool as oversize rotors look, when you are trying to get your overloaded truck to slow while rolling down a steep incline you will be more happy with the way they perform than with the way they look. 

Remember, safety is no accident.