2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission 2500 Brake Upgrade to 3.5" Drum

[TurboSandman]

I have been searching for brake upgrades for my '97 2500 with rear wheel only ABS and plan to install the 1-1/8" wheel cylinders. I noticed that on the '00 and early '01's with drum brakes, they had the same 3. 5" drums as the 3500's of those years. Probably also the same as earlier 3500's with the 3. 5" drums.



Has anyone retrofitted this drum brake setup to an earlier 2500 that has the stock 2. 5" drums?



I would assume (probably incorrectly) that the same wheels would fit as Fritz's Ram Tech lists the same factory wheels for 2500's '94 - '02. I know I disc conversions are out there and would probably perform better, but at greater cost.



What are the pros and cons? ABS incompatability? Marginal increase in braking performance for a lot of work? What do you guys think?

 

[DOverton]

I would like to know the answer to that too. I have a 98 2500 2wd I would like to upgrade the brakes on.



Dallas

 

[ronco]

Guys,



I performed a little brake upgrade on Saturday. From the DTR website, I found the part number for a 30MM diameter wheel cylinder (casting mark is 1 3/16) from a Chevrolet dually. The NAPA part number translated into a WC13708 from Federated, Bendix is 33708, EIS is 79768, Wagner is same as EIS and Midas is 1215. Now, my rear brakes were a mile out of adjustment as usual! I installed the brake cylinders, bled the system and adjusted the rear brakes up 'till the drums drug going back in place. During my first few feet of travel, I could tell the difference already in the new braking power. During the first "panic stop", the rear tires locked up for the first time ever on dry ground! I paid less than 12 dollars a piece for the new wheel cylinders and would recommend this to anyone with drum brakes. I got a lot for a little!



Ronco

 

[DOverton]

Thanks Ronco.



Dallas

 

[TurboSandman]

Thanks for the info on the wheel cylinders, but I already have those. What I was wondering about was going to the larger drums; I figure it can be done, but is it worth the trouble?



Surely someone has already thought of this; come on, fess up. Oo.

 

[TurboSandman]

Still trolling, maybe someone knows about this.

 

[TurboSandman]

One last try; big drums and shoes, anybody done it?