I’ll be honest, brakes weren’t the first thing on my mod list. I was thinking about lift kits and lights and all the fun stuff. But after a close call on a wet the expressway with the family, I stopped putting it off.

The stock brakes on the Rubicon aren’t bad. But they’re not built for a lifted truck carrying extra weight, and they’re definitely not built for the way I push it on back roads and Michigan highways in questionable weather. I started doing some research and kept landing on the same name: PowerStop.

I picked up the PowerStop Z36 Truck & Tow Brake Kit, front and rear, part number K7938-36. Carbon fiber ceramic pads, drilled and slotted rotors, stainless steel shims and hardware, everything in one box.

One thing worth knowing: I bought the kit myself on Amazon instead of letting the shop source the parts. That’s not always something mechanics are cool with, but it saved me real money on parts markup. When I brought it in, my mechanic looked it over and gave PowerStop a thumbs up before he even started the job. That mattered to me. He wouldn’t have used my parts if he didn’t trust the brand.

If your mechanic is reasonable, it’s worth asking. Buy the kit, bring it in, just pay for labor.

The difference was noticeable immediately. Firmer feel, more confidence under hard braking, and the family stays safe. That’s really what it comes down to.

PowerStop backs them with a 36 month / 36,000 mile warranty directly from the manufacturer, which is hard to beat for a brake kit at this price point.

PowerStop Z36 Front and Rear Brake Kit, K7938-36