pros and cons of front drums - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

krazy_texan · 01-23-2004, 02:04 AM

ok guys lets here em i have not ever dealt with front drums so i want to know as much about them as i can

Alvin · 01-23-2004, 02:23 AM

Pros? I can't think of one. The only thing I can think of is if you're going for a bone-stock restoration. Beyond that, I can't think of anything.

Cons, six lug pattern limits wheel selection, they don't dissipate heat as well as discs do, and in my preference discs just plain look better. The way I see it, there's a reason most cars (and trucks anymore) come with four wheel discs.

Anybody else got some ideas?

68CST327 · 01-23-2004, 02:26 AM

Pro: They weigh less than most disc setups.

You can also buy kevlar shoes for the drums which supposedly kick the crap out of regular discs (assuming you have power drums).

1969 GMC · 01-23-2004, 02:51 AM

another pro: since almost everyone gets rid of them, it should be easy to find components if they haven't been sold for scrap.

con (more for the off roading crowd): drums can pack with mud, greatly reducing braking capacity.

68 Suburban · 01-23-2004, 02:56 AM

Here are a few links that might help you:

http://forums.vmag.com/suvsuburban02...ages/1382.html

http://forums.vmag.com/suvsuburban02...ages/1380.html

SWEET7T · 01-23-2004, 03:04 AM

Pros: "If you guys can think of any other than ease of parts, tell me" OOOO OOOO Front and rear parts are the same

Cons: Harder to stop, and even HARDER when they get wet

. Have to bust drum off to get to shoes/ect (and my fronts ones are stuck!!! I had to pull the whole hub on both front of mine)

gonebad2 · 01-23-2004, 03:30 AM

Con: If they get really wet, they can damn near kill you in a hard stop situation. Trucks were even worse because they usually didn't have power steering or power brakes. Nothing quite like taking a hard unplanned left turn into oncoming traffic with drenched front drums. Most of the older guys on this site know exactly what I'm talkin about. If you ever get the chance to take a drive in a 30's or 40's stock truck it can be a real eye opener.They used mechanical brakes up until 1937 or 1938( I think, for F*rd..Not sure about GM), you could also jackknife the front wheels due to poor or broken steering stops. Most front suspensions were very lightweight for a truck. I sure do like the modern age.

Injected68LS1 · 01-23-2004, 04:16 AM

Pros: none, I have discs now

Cons: I had power drums for too long. I hated working on them.

PR454SS · 01-23-2004, 05:56 AM

One more Pro: less resistance for drag racing!

67dragtruck · 01-23-2004, 10:17 AM

The other con that I didn't see mentioned is that they get hot in stop and go situations and don't work nearly as well when hot.

Tom

Longhorn Man · 01-23-2004, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SWEET7T
Have to bust drum off to get to shoes/ect (and my fronts ones are stuck!!! I had to pull the whole hub on both front of mine)

They should be rivited onto the hub.

Injected68LS1 · 01-23-2004, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PR454SS
One more Pro: less resistance for drag racing!

Your right to a point. All drag cars that I know have disc brakes. The secret is that they don't run any residual pressure valves. This allows the pads to back away from the disc and cause no drag at all. It works even better if the master is below the floor.

Later

SWEET7T · 01-23-2004, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Longhorn Man

They should be rivited onto the hub.

So you have to replace the whole shabang when the time comes?! I was sure that the drum came off just like on the rears...

There goes my idea of swapping larger drums onto the front (pg 62 March '03 Classic Trucks). Since the front and rears are the same size, I thought that I might be able to fit them onto the front, but since it is all one piece...

bobs409 · 01-23-2004, 05:06 PM

I thought of another Pro: No brake dust on your front wheels with drums.

I have drums on most of my vehicles but im used to them. Their "cons" don't really bother me. I keep them clean, adjusted and in top working order so I don't have any trouble.

Discs do have alot of advantages but im from the old school I guess. I wouldn't turn down any free disc brake setups though.

redjp4x4 · 01-23-2004, 05:18 PM

I've seen a few conversion kits and read a write up on homemade conversion, how hard is it to do the conversion, and is it really worth the money and time spent?
Thanks
Tony

Pilgrim · 01-23-2004, 09:15 PM

My 69 C10 shortbed had drums. My 72 C10 had discs. My 71 burb had discs. My 68 C20 camper special has drums. kept them all adjusted and had no problems. I make a practice to drive safely and keep ot of lakes. You believe that, right?

:
I think it is more a personal choice.

Blue Beard · 01-23-2004, 09:38 PM

I have drums on mine with only one regret.........their not 5 lug.............

Longhorn Man · 01-24-2004, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SWEET7T
So you have to replace the whole shabang when the time comes?!

Nope... just drill out the rivits.

01-23-2004, 02:04 AM	#1
krazy_texan Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Des Moines, Ia Posts: 3,233	pros and cons of front drums ok guys lets here em i have not ever dealt with front drums so i want to know as much about them as i can __________________ 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

01-23-2004, 02:23 AM	#2
Alvin Never Done? Join Date: May 2000 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,435	Pros? I can't think of one. The only thing I can think of is if you're going for a bone-stock restoration. Beyond that, I can't think of anything. Cons, six lug pattern limits wheel selection, they don't dissipate heat as well as discs do, and in my preference discs just plain look better. The way I see it, there's a reason most cars (and trucks anymore) come with four wheel discs. Anybody else got some ideas? __________________ Ethel - The Legend Continues... Ethel has been sold.

01-23-2004, 02:51 AM	#4
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	another pro: since almost everyone gets rid of them, it should be easy to find components if they haven't been sold for scrap. con (more for the off roading crowd): drums can pack with mud, greatly reducing braking capacity. __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650

01-23-2004, 03:04 AM	#6
SWEET7T Try spinnin 4 rear tars Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 757	Pros: "If you guys can think of any other than ease of parts, tell me" OOOO OOOO Front and rear parts are the same Cons: Harder to stop, and even HARDER when they get wet . Have to bust drum off to get to shoes/ect (and my fronts ones are stuck!!! I had to pull the whole hub on both front of mine) __________________ SWEET7T 1970 C10, 2wd, LB, 307/TH350/3.08. PS, PB

01-23-2004, 03:30 AM	#7
gonebad2 Merciless Butcher Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: CC Nevada Posts: 1,447	Con: If they get really wet, they can damn near kill you in a hard stop situation. Trucks were even worse because they usually didn't have power steering or power brakes. Nothing quite like taking a hard unplanned left turn into oncoming traffic with drenched front drums. Most of the older guys on this site know exactly what I'm talkin about. If you ever get the chance to take a drive in a 30's or 40's stock truck it can be a real eye opener.They used mechanical brakes up until 1937 or 1938( I think, for F*rd..Not sure about GM), you could also jackknife the front wheels due to poor or broken steering stops. Most front suspensions were very lightweight for a truck. I sure do like the modern age. __________________ Your Bought And Sold....I Got Your Soul!

01-23-2004, 02:26 AM	#3
68CST327 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: USA Posts: 443	Pro: They weigh less than most disc setups. You can also buy kevlar shoes for the drums which supposedly kick the crap out of regular discs (assuming you have power drums).

01-23-2004, 02:56 AM	#5
68 Suburban Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: From Chicago, Live in Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,802	Here are a few links that might help you: http://forums.vmag.com/suvsuburban02...ages/1382.html http://forums.vmag.com/suvsuburban02...ages/1380.html

01-23-2004, 04:16 AM	#8
Injected68LS1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: So. Cal. Posts: 389	Pros: none, I have discs now Cons: I had power drums for too long. I hated working on them. __________________ 1968 Chev SWB with 1998 Corvette LS1 305hp and 320 ftlb to the wheels (stock engine!) AEM EMS and wideband O2 sensors Bowtie Overdrive's 700R4, stage 3 Baer 4 wheel discs and 20s http://iciclelanding.com/aperture?album=2049&view=album

01-23-2004, 05:56 AM	#9
PR454SS Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Louisville, TN Posts: 338	One more Pro: less resistance for drag racing! __________________ PR Too many projects, not enough time! 72SWB 350/350TH, 3500stall,525 lift cam 3:73 posi. Sold! 69LWB Flatbed 350/Super T-10, ported/polished 481 heads, 480 lift cam. 78SWB 468/400TH, ported/polished Alum. heads, 3:42 posi, 3000 stall on 17x8 and 18x9.5's 77 Jeep CJ-5 304V8 fiberglass body on 36" Ground Hawgs

01-23-2004, 10:17 AM	#10
67dragtruck Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Location: Bethlehem, GA, USA Posts: 389	drums The other con that I didn't see mentioned is that they get hot in stop and go situations and don't work nearly as well when hot. Tom

01-23-2004, 05:06 PM	#14
bobs409 1969 Custom 30 wrecker Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Pottsville, Pa Posts: 2,611	I thought of another Pro: No brake dust on your front wheels with drums. I have drums on most of my vehicles but im used to them. Their "cons" don't really bother me. I keep them clean, adjusted and in top working order so I don't have any trouble. Discs do have alot of advantages but im from the old school I guess. I wouldn't turn down any free disc brake setups though. __________________ Bob 63 Impala 283/PG/3.36 (under restoration) 66 Impala 327/PG/3.36 66 Chevelle SS 409/M22/3.55 69 Chevelle 307/PG/3.08 (future restoration) 69 C10 short stepside 454/TH350/3.73 69 Custom 30 tow truck 350/4 spd/4.10 (resto done, CRUISIN TIME!) 71 Cheyenne 20 fleetside 350/4 spd/4.10 71 Chevelle 6/PG/3.08 72 Chevelle 454/M21/4.10

01-23-2004, 05:18 PM	#15
redjp4x4 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 4	I've seen a few conversion kits and read a write up on homemade conversion, how hard is it to do the conversion, and is it really worth the money and time spent? Thanks Tony

01-23-2004, 09:15 PM	#16
Pilgrim Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Crescent City, FL Posts: 492	My 69 C10 shortbed had drums. My 72 C10 had discs. My 71 burb had discs. My 68 C20 camper special has drums. kept them all adjusted and had no problems. I make a practice to drive safely and keep ot of lakes. You believe that, right? : I think it is more a personal choice. __________________ Bob 68 C20 Camper Special Last edited by Pilgrim; 01-23-2004 at 09:19 PM.

01-23-2004, 09:38 PM	#17
Blue Beard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 8,831	I have drums on mine with only one regret.........their not 5 lug............. __________________ 1970 Chev CST 2003 Harley Fatboy 1975 Chevrolet Step Van 1956 Chev Bel Air 1977 Blazer 2WD For Sale $3000.00 1978 Blazer 2WD For Sale $7000.00 1978 Silverado 2005 Monte Carlo



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