drum brakes

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Have a 92 W250 with 12x2 1/2 brake shoes. Can I use 12x3". Parts book shows same backing plate, same # for drums for 2 1/2 or 3". Only difference is size of wheel cyl which everyone should upgrade to 1 1/8" anyway. Any experience out there?

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Don't know about the 92's but my 93 had 3" shoes on it already. The local Napa parts house said that was what the book showed. The cylinders were 1 1/8" also. The previous owner may have had them put on on an earlier brake job.

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Stan
93 2WD extended cab, Banks Power Pack, K&N Air Filter, PW Injectors,Auto w/4. 10 rear with limited slip, US Gear Exhaust Brake, 31/2" Exhaust, 5K air bags, Boost/Pyro/Tach Gauges, Green/Silver, new 40-20-40 bucket seats, 149K

 

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The offset of the wheel cylinders is different between the 12x2 1/2 and 12x3 brakes. You will need to change wheel cylinders to go to the wider shoes.
Your post didn't say how you truck is configured, if you have a van box or other build up, or if you do a lot of towing on a regular basis this is an worthwhile uprade. If your running empty most off the time the added braking bias to the rear will make your RWAL system have a little overactive and possibly turn on the light.
Good luck, hope this helps.

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89 w250, 47rh trans, cleaned up exhaust, Dynomax bullet muffer, 3" lift

 

[Archive]

Originally posted by Paul Herioux:
The offset of the wheel cylinders is different between the 12x2 1/2 and 12x3 brakes. You will need to change wheel cylinders to go to the wider shoes.
Your post didn't say how you truck is configured, if you have a van box or other build up, or if you do a lot of towing on a regular basis this is an worthwhile uprade. If your running empty most off the time the added braking bias to the rear will make your RWAL system have a little overactive and possibly turn on the light.
Good luck, hope this helps.

Thanks for the info. The only difference I have been able to find is, as you say, the offset in the 1 1/8 wheel cyl. . In my usuage of the truck- W250- hauling boat trailers, loads of construction material,plowing snow and general abuse- I find the brakes to be inadequate. Everything works as designed but just not enough stopping power. It seems too simple that all I need to do is buy a bigger wheel cyl and wider shoes - all available from Dodge- for virtually the same price as the 2" shoes and the 7/8"and or 1" cyls.

Another question: Does anyone have experience with the brake shoes from EGR? They -EGR- claim the shoes and discs are far superior to anything else available and the price , $180 for two sets of shoes ,makes one hesitate.

 

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No. . You don't need to buy anything other than the 3" lining and turn the drums. There is a tech bulletin on this, the 3" lining is a direct replacement for the 2 1/2" lining. Replacing the wheel cylinder is not necessary. You do however need to turn the drums, otherwise you will have an uneven surface for the larger shoes. I've done it on lots of trucks and you will notice a significant difference.

Tim

 

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I went with the 1" wheel cylinders because the 1 1/8" seemed to rub. By this I mean that the rubber part of the cylinders rubbed agains the backing plate. When they were tightened down it appeared that the rubber grouments were being pushed out. This was in turn causing the "arms" to be at an angle to the spot they contact the shoes. My truck is a Nov. 91 build truck. The 1" cylinders were visibly larger than the stock ones when laid side by side. Also went with the 12x3 brakes with no problems. No if I could only get that *amn oil seal to hold.

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92 Ext. Cab, Auto trans. , 3. 54 Non-LS, Isspro Tach, 16 cm housing, PW injectors, no name 3 Gauge cluster, 230,000+ miles, straight pipe, old and abused but still running strong!!!!