2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Rear Drum Guys - Read This

[Froadin]

My truck has it as well.

But with the camper package on it, it takes a LOT of weight to move it. I think I will make an adjustable arm for mine in the very near future.

 

[The patriot]

Originally posted by Chipstien

Hmm, I looked again yesterday and I do not have this. I wonder if this is because I have 4 wheel ABS.

Mine is located on the drivers side between the pumpkin and spring perch, on the top side. Cant miss the long arm.

I have the 4 wheel ABS also, but youre truck might be different since it's a few years newer. I have an 98.

Eric

 

[rblomquist]

I'm still on the first week testing w/out the rod hooked up. In a couple of panic brake situations I've heard the right rear chirp but also I can smell pad on that side so I think I may have that 1 brake adjusted just a tad too close to the drum. I'm a little nervous about leaving it detached because when it does rain here the roads are ultra slick. Also, wondering about winter driving up the mountains.



Hate the fact I have to mess with this but at least it's a fairly easy fix/mod as they go.



Oh yeah, how can you tell if your truck is supposed to have ABS? Don't think mine does as the ABS light on the dash never lights up and I don't think any wires are strung back to the rear brakes that I've noticed.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

01 trucks I always believed DID NOT have a load sensing preportional ias valve. in fact I remember reading in the manual about it and cannot remember when they stopped. I know mine DOES NOT.

 

[merryman]

My '01 ETH DEE 4X4 2500 does have the "rod". I missed the TSB, and am going looking for it right now!



Vaughn

 

[Froadin]

Oh, I have ABS on my truck as well. And definitely have the proportioning setup.

 

[IWeiny]

One note about DC's safety thing

I personally hate DC and think they build a crappy truck. But that aside I think that the stock system with a properly loaded truck will do just fine.



Remember this only exists on the 3/4 ton. When you put on air bags, more weight, or what ever other mods then you have effectivly changed the truck in ways DC could not predict.



Also remember that the stock front brakes will stop the truck safely, but when they are doing all the work they will wear out sooner... I also worry about if my drums will wear out faster since they are taking more heat now when I stop... But with the Exhaust brake I don't think that is a problem.



With that said I know I wanted WAY more braking so I put on bigger wheel cylendars, this mod, and an exhaust brake.

 

[Bart]

This propotioning valve is only on the 3/4 ton trucks. We with one tons are still outta luck. I just turned the front rotors for the third and last time. I also turned the rear drums. They were outta round. I've found that I back up and don't stop hard enough. So I keep trying to change that in hopes that the adjusters will work correctly. Next will be disc conversion and new sloted rotors for the front. Not cheap, but neather are rear-enders!!

 

[Midnite]

Can't you 1-ton guys still install bigger wheel cylinders? I know that the ones you have are already bigger than the ones in the 3/4 ton trucks, but I was just curious if you had any room for upgrade there.



Mike

 

[FDziurda]

Larger Rear Wheel Cylinders

Midnite,

Yes, you can upgrade to larger wheel cylinders. I was refered to this link. I installed the 30 mm wheel cylinders and noticed quite an improvement.





http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/dev/showthread.php?s=&threadid=45865&perpage=15&pagenumber=1



Good Luck,



Frank Dz

 

[Midnite]

Re: Larger Rear Wheel Cylinders

Originally posted by FDziurda

Midnite,

Yes, you can upgrade to larger wheel cylinders. I was refered to this link. I installed the 30 mm wheel cylinders and noticed quite an improvement.

Well, I do plan on doing this to my 2500 (along with the 3" shoes), but my question was about the guys with the 3500 trucks. The 1 ton trucks already have larger wheel cylinders than the 3/4 ton trucks, but I was wondering if they could replace them with even larger ones for a bit more apply pressure.



Mike

 

[FDziurda]

According to DodgeRam.com http://dodgeram.org/tech/specs/brakespecs.htm



The 30 mm wheel cylinders referenced in the previous post, I'd suspect would improve either the 2500 or 3500 trucks. Most, but not all 3500s came with 27 mm wheel cylinders (Depending on Year).



FDz

 

[WadePatton]

Originally posted by Midnite

I didn't think the emergency brake had anything to do with the self-adjusters on the rears--does it?

YES, if you have standard drums. I don't know what is under the disc trucks for a mechanical brake.



Remove wheel, remove drum, see where mechanical (emergency) brake cable enters the brake housing? Notice that it attaches to one shoe---and there's another part attached very close to that point with pivots and springs--but the main hickey is the deal that rides down on the star wheel, which turns the adjuster... WHEN YOU APPLY THE "emergency" BRAKE.



It (the adjuster) rides over if it is already tight or is difficult to turn for any

reason. That's why hand adjusting is sometimes needed.



It's a really old crappy design (the whole drum thing), but lots of us still have 'em.



My 2000 4x2 has the proportioning rod. Never messed with it, but probably will when I get the springs for the front and replace the spindles with the originals and put on the traction bars. And some more leetle stuff.

 

[HEMI®Dart]

My '94 4X4 2500 ¾ ton does not have the height sensing PV either. Rear ABS only.



TSB: http://dodgeram.info/tsb/1998/05-04-98.htm



Pic of what it should look like:



#ad

 

[raf2000]

OK, I am confused a bit. I have a 2000 4X4. My original sticker shows a $425 charge for 4 wheel abs. I have rear drums. DO NOT have the height sensing valve. Brake line runs from the front, splits on a small T block on drivers side of rear axle and also has a large rubber hose that looks like a vent? I know that brake lines are closed and don't need a vent. Trying to understand the entire picture, especially how rear drum abs works without wheel speed sensors unless there is some other reference points for front wheel and rear wheel speed.



I recently installed T-Rex front springs/shocks and rear mini pak and shocks. Truck now sits about level if not slightly higher in the front. I now seem to have a good bit less stopping power. Am I imaging things or is there some other adjustment to get the rears to help more??



Drivers side rear shock mount has the hole for the valve rod but not there. My truck had the towing and camper packages, used to have 4 lower springs, big spacer block and then 2 more upper springs.

 

[jtwcummins]

4 wheel abs is only 3 channels. One for each front wheel and 1 for both rear. Sensor for rear is in the diff. With 4 wheel ABS there is no load proportioning valve in the rear.

 

[raf2000]

That all makes sense, so it's just me thinking I have less braking? I did see an electrical connector that plugs in on top of the pumpkin. NO adjustment for this system??

 

[IWeiny]

Hum...

I have 4 wheel ABS and the proportioning valve. You guys who have ABS without he valve; Do you have 1-tons? I am pretty sure the 3500's did not have it. I suppose because of the added traction of the extra tires?

 

[rblomquist]

You guys with ABS, do you get an ABS light when you turn the key on?

 

[John - K5AWO]

Yep, but it goes out right away.