Rear brakes need updating (1 Viewer)

[ChubbyHands]

My rear drums are pretty shot. I need to replace most parts. Question for all the gurus. Is it worth the time, money, etc going to disc? A wash? Or just replace all drum parts and keep rolling? It's an 84 with the parking brake on the rear axle. I know there are drum kits, but is there a rear disc conversion kit (if that is the best bang for the buck route)?

 

[dbbowen]

I personally never had any issues at all with the rear drums on the 60 with 33 inch tires. If all of the parts are in good working order they work pretty well, and the parking brake works really well. The only reason i have discs now is because i swapped axles to 80 axles, but the parking brake on the 60 axle works better than the parking brake on the 80 axle.

I legit had to drive across utah a few years ago with only my parking brake. Canyons included. went from moab to park city

 

[ChubbyHands]

The parking brake doesn't hold anything unfortunately. It slowly held less and less, and now nothing. So, it will take some new parts is my guess. That's what kicked off this ponder. Before now I have had no trouble with the drums and they stop fine enough. I also have 33s.

 

[dbbowen]

The parking brake doesn't hold anything unfortunately. It slowly held less and less, and now nothing. So, it will take some new parts is my guess. That's what kicked off this ponder. Before now I have had no trouble with the drums and they stop fine enough. I also have 33s.

a complete rebuild of them isnt too bad, just need the shoes, cylinders, and the spring kit. Once you get them properly adjusted, theyll be back to holding the truck. My drums would hold my truck on a hill in neutral

 

[DrRock]

The parking brake doesn't hold anything unfortunately. It slowly held less and less, and now nothing. So, it will take some new parts is my guess. That's what kicked off this ponder. Before now I have had no trouble with the drums and they stop fine enough. I also have 33s.

You might want to check and confirm all rear drum adjustments are within factory spec. Speaking from experience, this makes a nice difference to the braking performance, both for regular and emergency brake applications.

 

[ChubbyHands]

a complete rebuild of them isnt too bad, just need the shoes, cylinders, and the spring kit. Once you get them properly adjusted, theyll be back to holding the truck. My drums would hold my truck on a hill in neutral

It held like that for years, which was amazing. Looking to get that back! ha.

 

[ChubbyHands]

You might want to check and confirm all rear drum adjustments are within factory spec. Speaking from experience, this makes a nice difference to the braking performance, both for regular and emergency brake applications.

I'll be having a local cruiser place do the update. I don't have the tools, time or space unfortunately.

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

 

[cruisermatt]

Rebuild your drums with all OEM parts and new cable and enjoy

 

[ChubbyHands]

Rebuild your drums with all OEM parts and new cable and enjoy

That seems to be the most straight forward. Getting it done next week. Thanks for the input everyone.