63 C10 bolt pattern change

[scott657]

I'm sure there is already an answer for this. I'm considering having my 6. Lug rear axles drilled to 5 on 5. Is there a 5 lug drum that will fit.
Thanks as always

[Clyde65]

71-87 HD brake drum

Not the light duty ones

oh and you will need to have the center part of the axle turned some as well. Just take a drum with you to size them properly.

[Captainfab]

I will have to disagree on that. The '71-'87 HD brakes will have 2-3/4" wide shoes. Those will not work on an earlier truck without changing the backing plates. And on a '63 12 bolt, you can not do that as the backing plates are pressed onto the axle tubes.

What the OP will want are the '71-'87 light duty brake drums for the 2" wide shoes.

I do agree that the hub register on the axles will have to be turned down to aprox. 3.062" to fit the 5 lug drums.

Originally Posted by Clyde65

71-87 HD brake drum

Not the light duty ones

oh and you will need to have the center part of the axle turned some as well. Just take a drum with you to size them properly.

[scott657]

Is there a Part# ?

[Captainfab]

Just pick a year between '71-'87 and go to your parts supplier and ask for rear drums. They will ask you what size shoes and just tell them 2" wide shoes.

Originally Posted by scott657

Is there a Part# ?

[SSpeed66]

Just curious, would HD drums & the corresponding backing plates & brake pieces fit a 64-66 rear. I plan on towing my boat & heavy loads(firewood, etc.), and HD brakes would be a bonus

[luvbowties]

Originally Posted by SSpeed66

Just curious, would HD drums & the corresponding backing plates & brake pieces fit a 64-66 rear. I plan on towing my boat & heavy loads(firewood, etc.), and HD brakes would be a bonus

Not the simplest way for just 5-bolts, but to use the wider hd brakes also, you can make a simple(?) spacer and use longer bolts--high-grade--to move backing plates outward. Determine the sq. inches of braking surfaces of the 2 systems, and you may just be tempted to go with the hd br. system. CAVEAT: These stock diameter drums, compared to biggest acceptable diam. after re-machining, leave very little space for future turning--IIRC!!! Ie, max. re-machined diam. less original new diameter equals a very small cut--IIRC!!!

I do NOT suggest it but I know of several trucks, driven daily, which merely used NUTS over the longer bolts to extend the backing plates.

Luck to you after making nice, proper spacers!
Sam

[Captainfab]

The HD brakes (2-3/4" wide shoes), backing plates will bolt right up to a '64-'82 truck 12 bolt. The backing plate flange bolt pattern is the same as well as the brake offset. In fact the brakes from a '80-'87 8.5" truck 10 bolt will bolt up as well.

I don't understand the spacer suggestion as that would move the backing plate the wrong direction.

Originally Posted by SSpeed66

Just curious, would HD drums & the corresponding backing plates & brake pieces fit a 64-66 rear. I plan on towing my boat & heavy loads(firewood, etc.), and HD brakes would be a bonus

[luvbowties]

Sorry, but the spacer idea was with using '71 axles and HD backing plates/shoes in '66 models--'63 may differ. *Without the spacer, the 2 3/4 drum would not 'reach and cover' the shoes.
Sam

[scott657]

Thank you for the info!!!!!

[Clyde65]

Thanks Captn! I stand corrected ( backwards again!)