BJS
Full Access Member
Here's a link to a DIY for rear disc's done right that maintain the parking/emergency brake.
link
Since most of us on here are fairly mechanically inclined it should not be a problem to use rear brakes. I'd guess that 75% or greater of the trucks on here have improperly adjusted rear brakes. That simply comes from the fact that you have to use your parking brake to keep the rear drums in adjustment. For normal driving and operating within the normal limits of our trucks rear drums are more than adequate for 99% of the driving.
The advantage of discs over drums is in brake fade and no routine maint. Because of the design of disc brakes you do not need to maintain them other than changing the pads. Rear drums will provide plenty of braking power when adjusted properly however will experience more brake fade when used intensely for longer distances, such as descending a steep hill, There is a reason that these trucks came equipped with rear ABS because the rear locks up very easily even with hot brakes and a heavy load.
Anytime I've seen a comparision of discs vs drums with any sort of braking test they will test the drums in current state, install a new disc setup ensuring all perameters are correct and guess what a braking system that works correctly will stop a truck faster than one that may not be.
As far as conversion with the front of a f250 the brakes are the same as what you have on a 350 for the front and if memory serves me correctly the spindle diameter is different not to mention the rear hubs on the 10.25 the ring of bolts on the hub you see are directly attached to the axle shaft, your rear axle bearings also run in an oil bath from the rear end not in grease as your front end does.
link
Since most of us on here are fairly mechanically inclined it should not be a problem to use rear brakes. I'd guess that 75% or greater of the trucks on here have improperly adjusted rear brakes. That simply comes from the fact that you have to use your parking brake to keep the rear drums in adjustment. For normal driving and operating within the normal limits of our trucks rear drums are more than adequate for 99% of the driving.
The advantage of discs over drums is in brake fade and no routine maint. Because of the design of disc brakes you do not need to maintain them other than changing the pads. Rear drums will provide plenty of braking power when adjusted properly however will experience more brake fade when used intensely for longer distances, such as descending a steep hill, There is a reason that these trucks came equipped with rear ABS because the rear locks up very easily even with hot brakes and a heavy load.
Anytime I've seen a comparision of discs vs drums with any sort of braking test they will test the drums in current state, install a new disc setup ensuring all perameters are correct and guess what a braking system that works correctly will stop a truck faster than one that may not be.
As far as conversion with the front of a f250 the brakes are the same as what you have on a 350 for the front and if memory serves me correctly the spindle diameter is different not to mention the rear hubs on the 10.25 the ring of bolts on the hub you see are directly attached to the axle shaft, your rear axle bearings also run in an oil bath from the rear end not in grease as your front end does.
