[markeb01]

This response may be a little late regarding whether or not to upgrade to disc brakes.

I wanted two things out of the swap – elimination of the ball bearing wheel bearings, and a five lug pattern so I could run 5 spoke American mags. If I could have accomplished those goals with drum brakes I wouldn’t have swapped the front suspension. I ran drum brakes for decades without any issues. There’s no question disc brakes provide superior performance, but I never come near those limits and I don’t haul heavy loads up and down mountains during the summer.

The only advantage disc brakes offer to me personally has to do with maintenance. It’s simply easier changing pads and calipers than rebuilding drum brakes. Drum brakes just take longer, which is much more painful for someone with a bad back. But considering how rarely either drums or discs require a rebuild, I wouldn’t go through the work and expense of upgrading to discs just to cut down the effort needed to replace pads versus shoes.