Anyone know where to find 14FF backing plates?

[HybridK]

Hey guys,
I'm running into an issue with discontinued parts. I've got a 78-ish stake-on drum (13") full floater and the backing plates rusted through. I've gotta get them replaced but no one that I've talked to stocks them, not even the stealership. Anyone know where I can find some? I'll take used stuff, as long as it works. Thanks boys

[low67chevy]

do a disc brake swap dude way cheaper its 100$ for the brackets then use 3/4 ton front rotors and calipers or buy 78-79 Cadillac Eldorado calipers that have the built in ebrake

[DirtyLarry]

You’re right, 13” backing plates are hard to come by outside of searching salvage yards, especially the early ones like you need where the brake cable uses two bolts to hold it into the backing plate. Personally, I don’t buy into the rear disk brake swaps. Contrary to popular forum belief, the Eldo/Toronado rear calipers didn’t work worth the hoot on Eldo/Toronado’s where the last place I would use them would be on a large 4x4. Using the GM truck front calipers are better than Eldo’s but they are still a bit small for a large truck plus you also lose the park brake. Nothing will stop a large truck better than good ole 13” rear drums, that is if you don’t mind the extra weight of drums. There are reasons why class 8 semi’s still use drum brakes today and not disks.

If you happen to have the later design backing plates where the cables just push in and held by tangs, UpTime Parts sells them. I believe these are brand new but could be reman. UpTime is a parts supplier to the fleet world where many fleets are still running 14 bolt FF with 13” rear brakes in delivery vans, etc. The backing plate is known as a “452” in the aftermarket parts business. You'll notice 452 is also part of the brake shoe part number. It is a Bendix identification number.

UpTime also sell a complete brake kit where the shoes and hardware are already mounted on the backing plate. All you need to do is bolt them on and hook up a brake line and park brake cable. Fleets love this brake kit.

Again, these are the later design plates with the round push in type brake cables. They may have the earlier type as well. Give them a call.

FRN452RK7
FRN452LK5

I went through this same ordeal a few months ago when I swapped on 13” brakes on my Suburban. Finally found a 14 FF bolt in the core pile at a local salvage yard that I was able to pirate them from. Luckily, we don’t use salt here so our junk is pretty rust free.

If your truck is an original '78 axle with 13's this is the backing plate you need where the park brake cable bolts in place. I don't have a picture of the round push in type brake cable backing plate. BTW, you cannot easily convert the bolt on brake cable to the round type easily without changing the entire brake cable assembly from the park brake foot lever all the way to the backing plates.

[76k10]

Originally Posted by DirtyLarry

You’re right, 13” backing plates are hard to come by outside of searching salvage yards, especially the early ones like you need where the brake cable uses two bolts to hold it into the backing plate. Personally, I don’t buy into the rear disk brake swaps. Contrary to popular forum belief, the Eldo/Toronado rear calipers didn’t work worth the hoot on Eldo/Toronado’s where the last place I would use them would be on a large 4x4. Using the GM truck front calipers are better than Eldo’s but they are still a bit small for a large truck plus you also lose the park brake. Nothing will stop a large truck better than good ole 13” rear drums, that is if you don’t mind the extra weight of drums. There are reasons why class 8 semi’s still use drum brakes today and not disks.

If you happen to have the later design backing plates where the cables just push in and held by tangs, UpTime Parts sells them. I believe these are brand new but could be reman. UpTime is a parts supplier to the fleet world where many fleets are still running 14 bolt FF with 13” rear brakes in delivery vans, etc. The backing plate is known as a “452” in the aftermarket parts business. You'll notice 452 is also part of the brake shoe part number. It is a Bendix identification number.

UpTime also sell a complete brake kit where the shoes and hardware are already mounted on the backing plate. All you need to do is bolt them on and hook up a brake line and park brake cable. Fleets love this brake kit.

Again, these are the later design plates with the round push in type brake cables. They may have the earlier type as well. Give them a call.

FRN452RK7
FRN452LK5

I went through this same ordeal a few months ago when I swapped on 13” brakes on my Suburban. Finally found a 14 FF bolt in the core pile at a local salvage yard that I was able to pirate them from. Luckily, we don’t use salt here so our junk is pretty rust free.

If your truck is an original '78 axle with 13's this is the backing plate you need where the park brake cable bolts in place. I don't have a picture of the round push in type brake cable backing plate. BTW, you cannot easily convert the bolt on brake cable to the round type easily without changing the entire brake cable assembly from the park brake foot lever all the way to the backing plates.

Interesting info Larry. The only thing that gets me about drum brakes is if you bury your axle in mud. The shoes tend to self destruct thereafter. Not the case with discs.

[DirtyLarry]

Originally Posted by 76k10

Interesting info Larry. The only thing that gets me about drum brakes is if you bury your axle in mud. The shoes tend to self destruct thereafter. Not the case with discs.

True to that! Drums don’t like routine runs in deep mud. Mud bogger rigs would be better suited for disks. On the other hand, if you want to STOP like an anchor was dropped out of the back of the truck I still stand by 13” rear drums. My ole K10 weights 8,000 lbs and the 13” rear drums stop that truck better than my ’02 Silverado HD with rear disk does empty not to mention the park brake on the K10 holds like having an auger drilled into the ground. Can't say that for any of the Silverado's I've owned.

[76k10]

Originally Posted by DirtyLarry

True to that! Drums don’t like routine runs in deep mud. Mud bogger rigs would be better suited for disks. On the other hand, if you want to STOP like an anchor was dropped out of the back of the truck I still stand by 13” rear drums. My ole K10 weights 8,000 lbs and the 13” rear drums stop that truck better than my ’02 Silverado HD with rear disk does empty not to mention the park brake on the K10 holds like having an auger drilled into the ground. Can't say that for any of the Silverado's I've owned.

That's why I would like to go with 1/2 ton front discs and calipers on my built 12 bolt using weld on brackets.

[yfs200p]

Originally Posted by DirtyLarry

You’re right, 13” backing plates are hard to come by outside of searching salvage yards, especially the early ones like you need where the brake cable uses two bolts to hold it into the backing plate. Personally, I don’t buy into the rear disk brake swaps. Contrary to popular forum belief, the Eldo/Toronado rear calipers didn’t work worth the hoot on Eldo/Toronado’s where the last place I would use them would be on a large 4x4. Using the GM truck front calipers are better than Eldo’s but they are still a bit small for a large truck plus you also lose the park brake. Nothing will stop a large truck better than good ole 13” rear drums, that is if you don’t mind the extra weight of drums. There are reasons why class 8 semi’s still use drum brakes today and not disks.

If you happen to have the later design backing plates where the cables just push in and held by tangs, UpTime Parts sells them. I believe these are brand new but could be reman. UpTime is a parts supplier to the fleet world where many fleets are still running 14 bolt FF with 13” rear brakes in delivery vans, etc. The backing plate is known as a “452” in the aftermarket parts business. You'll notice 452 is also part of the brake shoe part number. It is a Bendix identification number.

UpTime also sell a complete brake kit where the shoes and hardware are already mounted on the backing plate. All you need to do is bolt them on and hook up a brake line and park brake cable. Fleets love this brake kit.

Again, these are the later design plates with the round push in type brake cables. They may have the earlier type as well. Give them a call.

FRN452RK7
FRN452LK5

I went through this same ordeal a few months ago when I swapped on 13” brakes on my Suburban. Finally found a 14 FF bolt in the core pile at a local salvage yard that I was able to pirate them from. Luckily, we don’t use salt here so our junk is pretty rust free.

If your truck is an original '78 axle with 13's this is the backing plate you need where the park brake cable bolts in place. I don't have a picture of the round push in type brake cable backing plate. BTW, you cannot easily convert the bolt on brake cable to the round type easily without changing the entire brake cable assembly from the park brake foot lever all the way to the backing plates.

Hey Larry, I know this thread is as old as the hills but I have a question. I truly appreciate all the valuable info you’ve contributed here and other places.
Long story short, I’m helping a friend restore an 80ish K20 that someone in the 90’s morphodited into a “show” truck. It has a Ford rear axle in it that we decided to swap out for a late 80’s 14 bolt semi-float from a V20 suburban. (I know the 14 bolt SF isn’t top choice but it was available and GM). Since the backing plates were rotted, I ordered the new/reman loaded backing plates that you reference in the beginning of this thread. They arrived with 3.5” shoes and a slight recess in the backing plate, compared to the SF backing plate which is mostly flat with a 2.5” (I think?) shoe. It almost appears like the new ones would be correct for a DRW, but I could be wrong.
Question is, can I run the 13x3.5” brakes on a SF axle without any issues? I understand the drum will be more visible sticking out behind the wheel. And the truck currently has the push-in style e-brake, which in theory should be a bolt-in.
Thanks

[andrewmp6]

The CUCV M1008 used a 14 bolt see if you can find them on a surplus site.

[HybridK]

Hey guys, thought I'd give you an update. I looked around everywhere, even went the CUCV route. The stuff I could fine was in about the same shape as mine was for the drum axles/backing plates. Gotta love the rust belt... I ended up getting a 10.5" out of a 2003 2500HD with 3.73s, discs and posi. I'll have to move the spring pads and put a different yoke on my driveshaft, but I'll have 2 piston rear calipers, 12" rear rotors and a drum style ebrake for $400 all told. Not a bad deal I guess. What a pain in the ass... Thanks everyone for your guidance and help. I'll post pics when the swap is done.

[cadillac_al]

I hope Larry is still doing well. I think if those brakes will bolt to the axle then they should work. The SRW K20's and K 30's have the drums showing behind the wheels. That is not a problem.