Heavy Duty rear drum brakes for 1/2 tons. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Tx Firefighter · 01-28-2006, 08:27 PM

To discuss this topic go here- LINK

I learned a little nugget a few weeks ago. Some 1/2 tons had much larger rear brakes than most. This isn't like discovering Plutonium or anything, but it's not common knowledge.

I swapped rear ends under my beater, and took pictures of the differences. Both were 5 lug 12 bolt normal rearends.

I don't know what option code to look for, but I was told this is a 72 Suburban rearend.

It would be a good way to get better rear brakes.

The overall width is identical, so it doesn't affect track width or wheel and tire fitment. The extra depth is in the backing plates. They are dished on the wider setup.

junkyardjohn · 01-28-2006, 09:10 PM

I Took The Complete Rear Brake & Drum Assy. Including The Backing Plates Off Of A 75 C-10 , That I Was Pulling The Front Crossmember Assy. Out Of To Put Under A 69. The Shoes Were About 2 5/8" Wide Instead Of 2".I Put Them On My 69 & It Made A Noticable Difference.

John

Tx Firefighter · 01-28-2006, 10:49 PM

Hit the drums real hard perpendicular with their face. Hit them on the smooth part right behind where the wheel mounts. I used to get some real stuck drums on the mail trucks. We always used a 3lb mini sledge. You won't hurt the drums as long as you don't hit them real hard out on the lip.

**PICKMUP** · 01-29-2006, 12:50 AM

I think all 73+ PUs use the larger rear brakes. You just take the complete backing plate with all shoes, parts & drums and bolt it on your earlier model. It is a lot cheaper than rear disc systems and helps a bunch.

Same applies to 4x4 6lug trucks. We have been upgrading 1/2T 4x4 with this setup for a long time.

The only hassle is if you are junk yarding, you will have to pull the axles to get the assys off.

01-28-2006, 08:27 PM	#1
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Heavy Duty rear drum brakes for 1/2 tons. To discuss this topic go here- LINK I learned a little nugget a few weeks ago. Some 1/2 tons had much larger rear brakes than most. This isn't like discovering Plutonium or anything, but it's not common knowledge. I swapped rear ends under my beater, and took pictures of the differences. Both were 5 lug 12 bolt normal rearends. I don't know what option code to look for, but I was told this is a 72 Suburban rearend. It would be a good way to get better rear brakes. The overall width is identical, so it doesn't affect track width or wheel and tire fitment. The extra depth is in the backing plates. They are dished on the wider setup. Attached Images __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin Last edited by N2TRUX; 01-24-2011 at 11:30 AM.

01-28-2006, 09:10 PM	#2
junkyardjohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SOMERSET KY. Posts: 6,427	Re: Heavy Duty rear drum brakes for 1/2 tons... FYI I Took The Complete Rear Brake & Drum Assy. Including The Backing Plates Off Of A 75 C-10 , That I Was Pulling The Front Crossmember Assy. Out Of To Put Under A 69. The Shoes Were About 2 5/8" Wide Instead Of 2".I Put Them On My 69 & It Made A Noticable Difference. John __________________ junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. THERES ROOM FOR ALL OF GODS CREATURES RIGHT NEXT TO MY MASHED POTATOES// LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST

01-28-2006, 10:49 PM	#3
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: Heavy Duty rear drum brakes for 1/2 tons... FYI Hit the drums real hard perpendicular with their face. Hit them on the smooth part right behind where the wheel mounts. I used to get some real stuck drums on the mail trucks. We always used a 3lb mini sledge. You won't hurt the drums as long as you don't hit them real hard out on the lip. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

01-29-2006, 12:50 AM	#4
PICKMUP "Trucks with Class" Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: OLYMPIA, WA, USA Posts: 8,169	Re: Heavy Duty rear drum brakes for 1/2 tons... FYI I think all 73+ PUs use the larger rear brakes. You just take the complete backing plate with all shoes, parts & drums and bolt it on your earlier model. It is a lot cheaper than rear disc systems and helps a bunch. Same applies to 4x4 6lug trucks. We have been upgrading 1/2T 4x4 with this setup for a long time. The only hassle is if you are junk yarding, you will have to pull the axles to get the assys off.



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