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I'd really like to keep the front bumper at an effective level during a collision, seeing as how I'm fond of my legs. This would be a solution for all

So I'm thinking (barely, I'm not too bright, so go easy on me) that I'd like to upsize the capabilities of the rear brakes. The front brakes are fine; upgrading them isn't going to stop the bumper dive on hard braking. I'd like to minimize the dive.

If anyone has alternate better ideas for keeping the front bumper of our Brotkasten at an effective level, I'd love to hear them.

M

The only way to eliminate front end dive would be to stiffen the front suspension and I don't know how you would go about doing that very easily. You might look at threads on lowering and see what people have done in those circumstances, I am sure some people have ideas. As built the loading of the rear brakes is automatically limited by a proportioning valve to prevent lock up. Do something that unduly increases the rear brakes and you will loose control in a hard stop.

True, but minimize dive and you can brake harder in the rear. Chicken and egg, but true.
two options come to mind. Monroe load leveler or some other type of air shock in the front. This effectively stiffens the front end. Not to be confused with gas shocks.
The other option is cut and turn the front end a bit to help stiffen it up.

Also keep the rear brakes adjusted nice and tight. It willimprove braking ability and minimize dive as the rears come on early like they should.

The weight of the drive train is centered low and over the rear wheels, with about 60% of the weight of an unladened bus over the rear axles, IIRC. With the weight being low it is not going to readily transfer to the front wheels during hard braking, so I would question how much affect front end dive really has on the braking of a bus.

Well, loaded with passengers the CoG is going to move forward and up, but I take your point about keeping the rears adjusted.