[B. W.]

I see both sides, I've kept a truck in stock form & I've upgraded to disc brakes.
Stock drums, in good condition & properly adjusted do a good job ( still like discs on the front)

I've run trucks as DD's for years with front drums & never had any "white knuckle" moments (that I remember!)

As far as the t-case, I'd keep the 221, it's a tough case, just difficult to get hard parts for. I ran a Dana 18 in a jeep truck that's kinda similar in design (they both have offset rear output shafts). It wined at 70 even after a rebuild. I switched to synthetic gear lube & it seamed quieter?! & ran cooler.

I'm inclined to keep an old truck all original.