Rear Drum vs. Rear Disc - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Bob Moore · 10-24-2006, 10:26 PM

Working on a SWB 1/2T that has 5lug discs upfront. I have a 5lug 12 bolt rear axle. My question is Drum Brakes or Disc Brakes?

I have seen several 73-87 Chevy truck/or van rear axles with bigger brakes than mine. Mine are the standard 2" wide shoes. The bigger ones look like 2 1/2"(did not have a ruler). Will these fit my axle? I understand the width has to come from somewhere - are the backing plates tucked in or what? Is the axle housing and therefore the axle shaft a completely different animal?

I would use the entire brake from backing plate to drum.

Or------

Should I go discs in the back?

Has anybody upgraded their rear brakes to the larger drums?

TIA - Bob

10-24-2006, 10:26 PM	#1
Bob Moore Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Tacoma WA Posts: 1,365	Rear Drum vs. Rear Disc Working on a SWB 1/2T that has 5lug discs upfront. I have a 5lug 12 bolt rear axle. My question is Drum Brakes or Disc Brakes? I have seen several 73-87 Chevy truck/or van rear axles with bigger brakes than mine. Mine are the standard 2" wide shoes. The bigger ones look like 2 1/2"(did not have a ruler). Will these fit my axle? I understand the width has to come from somewhere - are the backing plates tucked in or what? Is the axle housing and therefore the axle shaft a completely different animal? I would use the entire brake from backing plate to drum. Or------ Should I go discs in the back? Has anybody upgraded their rear brakes to the larger drums? TIA - Bob __________________ 67 C-20 LWB, tilt, speed alert, vac, 454, T400 67 C-10 SWB, factory air with more to follow Last edited by Bob Moore; 10-24-2006 at 10:35 PM.

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