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#1 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Marshall, WI
Posts: 20
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Power Drum Brakes????
I currently have manual drum brakes all around on my '70 CST. For a whole list of reasons that basically add up to one giant P.I.T.A. I've decided to do no modifications or restorations to my truck. Being called a dumbass by Sam (a.k.a. Sweet72)
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But the braking really really sucks. I'm wondering if any of you can give me some insight into how much improvement I'll see by just adding a booster to my drum brakes. Will it be dramatic or just a little better? Then when I've gotten enough enjoyment out of owning the truck I'm selling it and buying a '67 Suburban that I can hack up. :gay: Darren
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1970 Chevy CST-10 3 speed manual (3 on the tree, baby! Woo Hoo!) GM Goodwrench rebuilt crate motor Manual Drum Brakes Permanently foggy windshield Weak Wiper Motor Squeaky Clutch and Brake Pedal Really Cool Green Paint It's for sale! |
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#2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 227
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Re: Power Drum Brakes????
Darren, why not do the whole changeover ? You can literally " bolt up " a 73-87 front suspension with power disc brakes and power steering. It's easily accomplished in an afternoon and the parts are readily available in every salvage yard in the country. It's a sure fire fix to manual steer and drum brakes and you're using all GM parts. It shouldn't hurt the value of the truck at all. In fact, if I were buying one I think I'd give more. Just a thought... Dean
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"They that give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." Ben Franklin |
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#3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 894
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Re: Power Drum Brakes????
Hmm. No comment on the other stuff, but on the power issue: I upgraded to power (and added discs) to the front of my K5. Braking is vastly better than before. A lot of guys here will say that the drums are good enough. I think the power upgrade did wonders.
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-Chris Building a stripper, one part at a time: 1969 K5, 307, 3spd, 3 seats, hard top. Added Pwr Discs, Pwr Steering, Aux Battery, T-case Skid, Lighted Sidemarkers, HEI, Lock-Right Diff, ECE Class IV Hitch, 32" MT/Rs. Parts to Install: Hand Throttle, Console, Tow Hooks, Dual Horns, AM-FM, Dealer Swing-Away Tire Carrier, Gas Tank Skid. Also building a 1950 Willys CJ-3A and off-roading a 2001 Nissan Frontier on 1-Ton Portals... |
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#4 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Centennial, CO
Posts: 2,951
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Re: Power Drum Brakes????
Do the discs, it's totally worth it the first time everyone in front of you hauls down to a stop on the highway unexpectedly. The 73-87 swap is super easy and I also think it makes the truck worth more.
Spindles w/rotors & calipers, steering linkage w/pitman & idler, lines and hoses, and master cyl from junkyard. Knock out the old ball joints and put in 73+ ball joints and put in the "new" parts. Get someone to re-drill the rear to 5x5 and you're done.
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ClusterTruck: 68 C10 Bought in 89, wrecked in 03. Slow low $ rebuild started '17. 6.0 & TKO http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=788602 93 K1500 Short Step, 350, NV4500, EBL flash ECU. Vortec heads & roller cam someday... 05 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. 3” lift & 6-speed 02 E320 the insurance total “free car” 13 Tahoe LTZ |
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#5 |
Designated A-hole!
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: South Mississippi
Posts: 36,450
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Re: Power Drum Brakes????
Damned if I would let someone else tell me what to do with my truck. It's not like it's a super rare/valuable vehicle that should be kept under plastic. Do what YOU want to and build it like YOU want it.
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"If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. ![]() We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck" |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Mcloud, Oklahoma
Posts: 656
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Re: Power Drum Brakes????
I have two 70's, one with power drums and one with manual drums. The power stops a little better with less leg muscle. If I had the money, they both would have power disc brakes all around! I prefer safety over originality any old day!
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1970 C-10 LWB 1998 Jeep Wrangled TJ 2009 Honda VTX 1300 2013 Buick Enclave |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Here
Posts: 167
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Re: Power Drum Brakes????
I agree with Krue.
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Marshall, WI
Posts: 20
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Re: Power Drum Brakes????
That settles that. Power discs all around.
As a funny aside, my 5'1" wife locked up the manual drums the first day we owned the truck. She was so busy getting used to the 3 on the tree that she failed to notice the idiot in the Oldsmobuick in front of us decide he needed to make a left turn right now. What would have really sucked is hitting that guy because the bench seat was cranked all the way forward so she could reach the pedals with her little hobbit legs. Adrenaline is a great brake booster. Thanks, Darren
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1970 Chevy CST-10 3 speed manual (3 on the tree, baby! Woo Hoo!) GM Goodwrench rebuilt crate motor Manual Drum Brakes Permanently foggy windshield Weak Wiper Motor Squeaky Clutch and Brake Pedal Really Cool Green Paint It's for sale! |
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#9 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pasadena,Tx /Pto Pta DR
Posts: 5,415
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Re: Power Drum Brakes????
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That is the nice thing about this hobby. You build it the way you want it. |
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