Power 4 wheel drum brakes for a 4x4?

[laplander]

One of the things that I wanted to get upgraded on my daughter's truck was to go with 6 lug discs, but those seem to be an endangered animal. Would power drum brakes make it a worthwhile investment? With the 292 and steep gearing she has, I'm not too worried about high speeds, I just want something safer for her when she's running around town. Any advice?

[Stocker]

IMO, power drums are better than manual drums, especially for people who might not have a lot of leg strength. My biggest concern would be reduced stopping power when wet. What about converting to 5 lugs & power front discs?

[SS Tim]

Though we covered this before. Yes a booster is going to help the stock drum brakes but a better more expensive solution is to replace the front axle with a later 71 up K10/Blazer front axle. This gives you the front 6-lug disc brakes and open knuckles that are just plain easier in every way. Keep the stock rear drums and add a disc drum master/booster for the best brakes with factory parts.
What I don't understand is how 6-lug disc brakes are endangered and why a five-lug conversion keeps coming up for a 4x4?

[laplander]

[QUOTE=SS Tim;6202509.
What I don't understand is how 6-lug disc brakes are endangered and why a five-lug conversion keeps coming up for a 4x4?[/QUOTE]

I have called every pick a part in a 90 mile radius to know avail. Do you have some magic phone number to a place that has some in stock?

[SS Tim]

Does that mean you cannot find a 71 up K10 or Blazer front axle assembly? There has to be something out there. Maybe someone parting a truck. Did you try a local Jeep shop for leads on an axle or even CL?

[SS Tim]

Mind you this is an example but a current ad.
$250 in Roswell work for you? Another $150 for the matching rear.
http://roswell.craigslist.org/pts/3929956327.html

Might try this guy as well you never know.
http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/pts/3893091982.html

However you are going to need to do some research and confirm exactly what will bolt up with the least mods. I know there are a lot of threads but K10s are pretty low on my research scale at least since I got my dogs and now need a bigger truck.