brakes for 71 C10

[Surfdoc3]

Was wondering what upgrades or kit would be the best to make my brakes better on my 71 C10. Specifically what kit. They are stock and not good. I am looking to spend 6-7 hundred plus labor. Is it even worth fine tuning the original drums or just convert?

[michael bustamante]

look into wilwood brake systems

[Surfdoc3]

Any particular kit?

[kwmech]

What issues are you having with the rear drums?

[Surfdoc3]

I have to push the pedal to the floor. Really hard to stop too.

[ettsn]

Is your C10 manual brakes or power brakes? A '71 is disc/drum already. Is everything otherwise healthy (good pads, smooth discs, good shoes, fresh fluid, etc)?

[ettsn]

If you have manual brakes, look at this kit to convert to power:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-760197/overview/

Flush the fluid, replace with fresh and bleed properly. If the pads up front are showing their age or wear, look for better performing replacements (something like Performance Friction Carbon Metallic, for example) and good clean rotors (no need for slots or drilled, fresh stockers are fine).

[kwmech]

Have you actually pulled the drums off the rear to inspect them and the adjustment, bled the brakes? NO pressure to the rear? Nothing wrong with rear drums if they are working correctly. I've got a 3/4 ton with 4 wheel drums, I load the truck all the time, stops great.

[Surfdoc3]

Not sure, think they are power. Are all 1971s power brakes or are some manual? I have a master cylinder but it looks like shi... Mabye I should replace that?

[SS Tim]

Power brakes were an option on 71-72 C10s. It would be listed as J70 on the SPID. Throwing parts at a problem is almost never the best way to fix it. Sounds like you need to get some help baselining what you have and the condition they are in.
The factory manual will help some.