Drum Brakes......

[1974 fj40]

[SIZE=3]Just curious how many of you are running the stock drum brake setup on your older 40's.

I am still running everthing basically stock and was wondering if you love the drums as much as I do. (Sarcasm implied.)

They do stop me as long as they aren't wet! [/SIZE]

 

[Paul_A]

My drum brakes work great, wet and dry. For the hell of it I occasionally nail the brakes (with no one behind me, of course) and it still stops straight and true. Good adjustments are the key.

Paul

 

[IDave]

My drums saved the life of a spotted mule deer fawn yesterday, no problems. Left a black streak on the pavement. This is with a one cylinder system. Stopped straight and true.

Start with even pads, learn how to adjust them properly, and they will do the job just dandy.

 

[Cruiser_Nerd]

After fighting with them for two years, I love my drum brakes! No Sarcasm Implied

Of course they're completely different than the setup on a 40!
THAT BLUE FONT SUCKS BIG TIME THOUGH!

 

[hammerhead]

Properly adjusted drums can work fairly well. I still prefer the discs. Disc will outstop drum everytime.

 

[1974 fj40]

Drums still.....

I've been learning/fighting with mine since I bought her last Sept.

The main problem has been that I am too cheap to just buy new wheel
cylinders/shoes etc.

I have now gotten the front wheel cylinders rebuilt and with the correct adjustment
the brakes do work fairly well.
There is no way they would lock up the wheels on pavement though!


I actually need to buy new shoes as well, but I hate to spend the money when the ones I have still have life left in them.

I'm on a spending freeze for the summer, and I'm trying to pay off the 62 before putting too much money into them.

Thanks for the input!!!!

 

[IDave]

All I can say is, brakes are the numero uno safety feature in your car. I don't believe that is a place to skimp.

 

[JohnL]

Have your drums turned. Replace your pads. Swap out your lines for stainless ones. Bleed the system well. Jack up one wheen at a time and adjust both drums in each wheel so that one 'click' out on any of them causes audible rub. Drive it around, stopping gingerly a few times, than gradually do 10-15 more stops more abruptly until your are locking them up (the rears slightly before the fronts). Repeat the drum adjustment on each wheel. For a total of $200 you now have strong brakes that won't need any attention for 10K and whose stopping power is limited only by the traction of your tires.

 

[65swb45]

All I can say is, brakes are the numero uno safety feature in your car. I don't believe that is a place to skimp.

Word.

 

[denis]

I used to play with drum brakes for a few years, then swapped some later model discs on BJ40 when I had the opportunity, man I wish I had done this before. I love the balanced and maintenance free discs. Convert to discs and never look back. You won't regret the investment.

 

[denis]

search for the disc swap writeups in the tech links here. It's an easy job if you have a dual circuit system. I would recommend adding a proportioning valve for the rear if you keep your master cylinder though. good luck !

 

[TonkaC]

If your worried about cost, fixing your drums is going to be the cheapest cure. The disk brake conversion takes more money to do it right than fixing your drums.

Chris

 

[73Goat]

The drums work great when adjusted correctly. Lot's of people have tried to talk me into a disc conversion, but I am pigheaded about keeping it as stock as possible. The drums require more attention, but working on the cruiser is half the fun! If you don't want the hassle do the disc conversion, you definately have to stay on top of the drums. Brakes are quite important.

 

[65swb45]

If your worried about cost, fixing your drums is going to be the cheapest cure. The disk brake conversion takes more money to do it right than fixing your drums.

Chris

Way more!

Another thing I like is that when I stall the truck in the rocks (yes, it happens!) The drums still hold once the booster has lost vacuum. Discs don't hold well without boost.

 

[Landpimp]

my 45lV will all new drum brakes, no booster..........will throw you thru the window they stop VERY well and stright. Sure discs are easier to work on and stop better when wet but drum can and will work well.

 

[1974 fj40]

Thanks guys/gals?

My brakes are actually working quite well right now. Since the front do the
majority of the work I tackled them first. I have been putting off the rear until
a rainy day. (For some reason my family demands/deserves most of my time.)

My brakes will lock up the meaty tires on all surfaces except for dry rough pavement.
I am concluding that I will be fine with the drums. They will do the job for me, and maintaining the adjustment isn't hard now that I've got it figured out. (Thanks for the input in that matter!!!)

All I have to do now is get the rear cylinders rebuilt and I'll be good to go.

The drums are in excellent shape and shouldn't need turned for quite some time!

Thanks again for all the input. Your opinions mean a lot to me.....


THIS BOARD ROCKS!!!!!!