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#1 |
Premium Level Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Northern CA
Posts: 829
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4 wheel drum brakes....am I asking for trouble?
I currently have the stock 4 wheel drum brakes on my 69. As I am now at the point where she is about road worthy, is this setup safe? I know I can drop in another d44 with disc, but I really like the idea of maintaining a stock setup.
Are these brakes just not safe? |
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#2 |
its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
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if in decent to good shape, they are plenty safe. just don't be riding everyone's butt.
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#3 |
Got Light Emitting Diode?
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Newberg, OR
Posts: 2,485
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i am running 4 wheel disc and i normally drive faster than i should, just make sure you have good drums and pads and they are bled good. you will be fine
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1968 1/2 ton 2wd lwb 6 lug disc and bags up front. Next c notch and rear bags '02 Chevy Silverado LT ext cab short bed 2WD 5/7 drop on 22's ![]() 1993 Cherokee work ride/weekend wheeler |
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#4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Delta,Pa
Posts: 14,950
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they arent the greatest. they need constant adjustment. yes they have self adjusters but most of the time they arent worth a sh!t. i would do the swap.drums like to get hot and fade badly. i would definately do the swap drums cannot compare to disk brakes in stopping whatsoever
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Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member. |
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#5 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Murray, Kentucky
Posts: 3,483
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Jake, my blazer has drums all around and I do tend to drive too fast. The drums make for some butt-puckering moments. I'm going to discs SOON...
Rg
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Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203 |
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#6 |
Premium Level Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Northern CA
Posts: 829
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yeah.....i hate to get in an accident over them. I guess i will go through them and "freshen" everything I can about them, including pads, lines, fluid etc. Brakes are a good thing
![]() jakeslim |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 393
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I guess I must be an "old timer". My first three or four vehicles all had 4 wheel drum brakes. Yes they do fade much quicker than discs, especially downhill,but there sure were a lot of them made to be "unsafe". They were originally designed to stop your rig reliablly(?) and they will if maintained properly. Mine are staying on my 70, the radial tires will make a big difference in stopping ability. Your call bro.
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: The Rubber City
Posts: 5,498
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I dd'ed my truck for over a year with the stock 4 wheel drums. Next time it drives anywhere under its own power it will have 4 wheel discs.
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1969 GMC K2500 ![]() 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650 |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: West Des Moines, Ia
Posts: 3,233
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my truck and my car both have 4 wheel drums, i plan on putting discs on the front of the car someday but the truck is going to keep them
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Krazy Texan My Trucks are made with Wrenches not Chop Sticks 1967 GMC 3/4 ton "Johnny Cash" 1990 v1500 suburban 1967 Ford f100 Swb 4x4 "green bean" GOD BLESS JESUS, JOHN WAYNE, AND THE ALAMO |
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#10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Tulsa,Oklahoma
Posts: 606
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Just helped my brother change his 69 to five lug disc and 5 lug rearend,and put in an hei distributor.Now the thing runs and stops great.I highly reccommend the swap.
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1961 BUICK LESABRE ** 1968 CHEVELLE SS 396 ** 1969 BUICK RIVIERA GS ** 1971 2 WHEEL DRIVE BLAZER ** 1971 4X4 BLAZER ** 1971 SHORTBED CHEYENNE FLEETSIDE ** 1971 SHORTBED 4X4 FLEETSIDE ** ...My Ebay |
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#11 |
Still drivin' a Rat Rod
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Monett Missouri
Posts: 4,925
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Under "Normal conditions" you'll be OK,but high speed,downhill,or towing,the swap is worth it.Cause there really is no such thing as Normal conditions
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Rusty Member #13872 Instead of saying.....you are a discomfort in the back of my front.....one should be able to say...... you are a pain in the *a$#* 71 GMC LWB 49 Chevy 85 Chevy G20 Check out my website |
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#12 |
user # 2756
![]() Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Chesapeake, Virginia
Posts: 4,612
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I've put over 54K miles on my 4 drums on my 70 K25 turning 35" tires. If you keep them in tip-top shape you'll have no problems.
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#13 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Bradenton, FL
Posts: 1,036
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There is nothing wrong with 4 wheel drums. If you keep the fronts adjusted properly they stop fine without pulling to one side. The only drawback to drums in the front is when it rains. You never know witch way they are going to pull.
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1970 CST/10 402,700R4,3:73 posi,AC,PS,PB,TLT,PW,Buckets with heaters |
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#14 |
Navel Inspector
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Wichita, Ks
Posts: 1,373
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Here when is rains it floods the streets. NO breaks in my last truck with drums. Is this a matter of adjustment?
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1948 Chevy Aerosedan GONE! I think. 1984 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham Coupe WANTED 1967 IMPALA 1967 CST C10 Long Bed with a 283 |
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#15 |
hmm...
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Culver, Indiana
Posts: 1,631
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here's a little matter of comparison: When I bought the truck, the brakes were OK, but were just a bit out of adjustment. So, I changed the fluid, bled the system and replaced everything that was broken and adjusted them. Even after all that, I have to hit the brakes HARD to stop in any amount of time. Anyway, I had the Olds (front discs) parked at the old house, and was going to pick it up last weekend. I drove the truck all weekend, so I was used to how that drives and stops and everything with manual 4 wheel drums. So I park the truck, hop in the car and start heading toward the first stop sign at about 20 mph. hit the brakes like I'm still in the truck, lock up all 4 tires and slam my chest into the steering wheel. ow.
The truck is keeping the 4 wheel drums for originality sake, but you have to watch about 4 cars ahead of you in city driving so you can properly anticipate. And don't try to be mario andretti with it either, because you won't like yourself in the morning.
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1983 Oldsmobile Delta 88 1967 Chevy C-10 stripper www.fcrperformance.com - wanna go...faster? talk to FCR. |
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