Difference with rear disc?

[jessemthompson]

I'm looking for experiences with rear disc on our trucks. I have a 72 and I wanna improve my brakes. I would like a bit more stopping power. I had an 89 vw golf that had factory rear drums, I swapped to rear disc and really couldn't tell a difference. I'm hoping that it's a different case on our trucks.

[jocko]

Properly adjusted stock 72 disk/drum system should be more than adequate. Can you describe what needs to be improved? 4 wheel disk will not be a noticeable change for the most part. What is noticeable is to tune up the rear drum brake system to make sure it's doing some of the work like it's supposed to. Even with no leaks, rears are often out of adjustment and really doing the driver not much good at all. If your rear drum brakes are properly adjusted and the shoes are good and you're not satisfied - or if you just like the idea of rear disks (I do too, nothin wrong with that), then a rear disk kit might be worth the while. But, on a dollars spent to achieve happiness scale, you might be disappointed in the end (just like you were with your VW)

[jessemthompson]

I would like my truck to stop like a modern truck. my wife drives a 2015 f150 and braking they are worlds a part. I realize it's a 40 year old truck, which is why I'm looking to upgrade. I have new calipers and pads up front and new shoes on the rear. I have not replaced my rubber lines which may be a good idea. I have also thought about the Wilwood d52 calipers up front but I having a feeling they would not improve the braking by much of any at all.

[leddzepp]

Just like your 89 Golf, you won't feel much difference at all.

[tonkatrux2]

It's not worth the money unless for the look I don't feel . I have 4 wheels disc on two trucks and two with disc and drum combo. If you run a hydro on disc its great but with master for disc / disc and booster not any better I think sometimes worse than disc/drum just what I think

[EARNHARDT#3]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

Just like your 89 Golf, you won't feel much difference at all.

It's funny you say that. When I was younger I was a big VW guy. I had actually done a rear disc brake conversion on my 89 Jetta. Wasn't worth the effort really bug they looked better behind the wheels than the drums did.

[In The Ten Ring]

Put in a 4.11 rear end. You'll never drive fast enough to need brakes and when you let off the gas, the tranny "brakes" for you.

[Xeen]

The reason I purchased rear disk is because I hate working on drum brakes and since I am doing all the mechanical work I refuse to work on drum brakes, plus you can change all 4 disk brakes in an hour or less.

[Andy4639]

I just added them this past winter. Can't tell any difference really. It may do better in the area of not fading but on the street that's not a big issue anyway! Here is my post after my swap.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=651954

[jessemthompson]

Thanks for the replys. I may just upgrade my lines. I'm sure that will improve the stopping power. I have thought about the hydro boost. I just need to research all it entails and decide if it's worth the effort.

[Xeen]

I'm no expert on brakes but I've heard you can upgrade the master cylinder to one with a larger diameter bore and get more PSI, someone confirm?

[In The Ten Ring]

All kidding aside, this is a great thread. Based on what I have read here, I think I'll just keep my rear drums as I don't expect to drive my truck that much anyway.