rear 250 brakes

[prototech]

Hey Guys,

I have my rear axle all torn apart and my rear drums have heat stress cracks and will need to be replaced. I can't decide which option to pursue and these are my questions:

1. how much are the rear disc kits?

2. I have 2 1/2" brakes and the parts house asked if I have 2 1/2" or 3" brakes, is it possible to switch to 3" since I have to buy new drums anyway?

3. has anyone ever switched over parts from a Ford or Chevy dana 70?

any help would be appreciated!

thanks

Proto

 

[dpuckett]

Proto,

EGR rear conversion runs ABOUT $750, with park brake assembly, as best I recall. I was kinda bummed that they dont have em for DRWs; we need it most.



You have 3" drums, as far as Autozone, et al, are concerned. THe only difference is the bore of the wheel cylinders and the 2-1/2" vs 3" shoes. Drums are the same, as are the fittings for wheel cylinders, brake cables and levers, springs, etc. BAcking plate doesnt even need moved or anything. If you look on your drums, you will see (or I did on my 92 W250) a goodly bit of space between the worn part where the brake was, and the edge of the drum



And CB, this time I KNOW what I'm talking about, so dont even go there.



Daniel

 

[prototech]

I just went out and looked at it again and it looks very promising, dpuckett have you done this on your truck? I think I'll order the 3" pads and give it a try!

Proto

 

[dpuckett]

If you have the cash, get the 1-3/8 (1-1/8?- something over 1 inch); you'll notice a BIG difference in stopping ability, esp when towing. I lost trailer brakes one trip, and had to stop 15K with only truck brakes



I did it on the W250 I traded (plus some cash to me) for the D350 I have now. I still have mixed emotions about that one... ...



Daniel

 

[prototech]

Thanks for the info Daniel, I think I'll upgrade the wheel cylinders, I was going to change them anyway while I have the axle apart.

Proto

 

[dan brooks]

I just swapped from 2. 5" to 3" brakes a few weeks ago, and installed Performance Friction pads in front. Replaced the cylinders while I had it apart, and also switched to the double nut set-up instead of the big nylock. The truck stops much better now - it was an easy project and well worth the extra money.

 

[phillips5]

I have switched 4 or 5 trucks to 3 inch rear shoes and 1-1/8 cylenders. every thing fits right on.

 

[JLEONARD]

Mine had the 1 1/8 cylinders as stock. Plus the drums had an extruded section on them..... had to buy new ones.

Took a while to find all the right parts... actually after the first wrong set of parts (that were ordered per the door sticker and VIN) my son ordered every possible part that would fit a 91 Dodge truck rear... . the biggest of everything was what finally worked... or should I say what finally matched what was on there.



Jay

 

[1stgen4evr]

switched over parts from a Ford or Chevy dana 70?

I talked to dana once and they said that the manufacturers buy the axles completely assembled before shipment BUT they ship the drums hubs and backing plates of their choice to dana for installation. I do know that the Chevy/GM drums and hubs are not the same as Dodge. I don't know if the drive axles are compatible in the differential gears. Over the years there have been some changes in the splines on the ends of the drive axles.



The Ford stuff may very well be the same. But wouldn't that be a bummer to use Ford stuff in the Dodge?



1stgen4evr

James