Rear Disk Brakes or not?

[svastano]

Group,
Trying to make the decision to drop the rear drums or keep them on my 77 that I am restoring. All brakes need to be re-done since this has been sitting almost 20 years so should I go the extra $$ to do rear disk brakes? Will be running pretty much stock 302, & 35" tires 90%+ on road to tool around. Do you think it is worth the extra money to go all wheel disk brakes? I am definitely doing stainless braided lines all around so just contemplating…. Opinions....

 

[SteveL]

Probably not worth it unless you need to replace everything on your rear set up. When I did it I needed everything including axles so it was about the same price to do it. That and I hate dealing with drum brakes. On the road you won't notice much difference. If you like your e-brake neither the caddy or explorer set ups hold large tires as well as the stock drums. Haven't heard any feedback on the wilwood stuff but that's high $$$. If you want better stopping power go hydroboost.

 

[Apogee]

I would convert to rear disc if you intend to run in the mud much, or if like Steve said, the drums are shot and need everything new. That said, it's still cheaper to rebuild the drum brakes unless you do some non-parking brake rear disc kit with weld-on brackets, then that becomes the lowest buck option.

With that said, I've never had a brake capacity or performance issue on my '77 F150 (35's) or '77 EB (33's), both of which have the factory disc/drum brakes. The F150 is 5200# empty and has a 429, so it's pretty quick, and I've pulled trailers and hauled all sorts of stuff though the mountains for over 24 years without issue. I've used my EB to haul brake parts for my business, and again, unless I was overloaded, the brakes still did an admirable job IMO. The only times I've had issues with either was when I packed them full of mud/dirt wheeling, and standard maintenance/wear and tear.

 

[bronkenn]

Disc brakes in front and drums on the back is all you need. I ran drums front and rear on a few vehicles and they worked well. The fronts do most of the stopping anyways. Ken

 

[Cipman5916]

If you plan on driving it in traffic I would go with disk brakes. They stop straight every time and in a panic stop you will be glad you have them especially with the lack of abs. I have the Cadillac rotors on my 71 and love them, with proper adjustment the parking brake is not as bad as they say but definitely doesn’t compare to the stock drums. Good luck

 

[bam]

disc!!!!!!! change prop. valve to disc/disc !!!

 

[nickgp]

I say disc front, drum rear, but go hydro boost. Plenty of stopping power. Discs in the rear are more of a status symbol. Have a 351 powered 68 set up this way. Stops straight and fast w 33 s.

 

[bosshoff]

I have caddy discs in rear with a hydro boost. Even properly adjusted, the emergency brake does not hold on a slight hill with just 32’s. I’d stay drum.

 

[LilMixedUp]

I have a 72 that I converted to disc(caddy); and my 77 still has factory disc/drum... Braking power is still better in the 77. Plus as mentioned e-brake on the 72 doesn't hold as well

 

[Mikesimp70]

I voted No because I didn’t and have absolutely no issues with mine. I do live in flat country though,

 

[Rustytruck]

Couldn't pay me enough to put rear disc on. Been places that really needed full drum parking brakes. When you need them nothing else will do.

 

[Broncobowsher]

In street trim a Bronco is much more front brake bias then a typical car or truck. Lifted and short wheelbase cause more weight shift to the front. Rear brakes play more into offroad use where you need holding power more than stopping power. Drum brakes are the winner in holding power.

There are a few times where disk brakes are better. Mud is well known. I would even say in sand they are a winner. High speed Baja racing, I would do disks, but in this case you are probably running in 4WD so the rear disks would be assisting the fronts being linked through the drivetrain. Or a full on show truck, so long as they were big and filled the wheels and looked good, even if they didn't do anything. Hey, its a show truck. We know they are not functional.

 

[taipeichris]

Hi Guys,

If I could do it over, I would not install rear disc on my 66.

I'm running the WH front disc kit, BC rear disc kit with a hydrobooster. Both kits were great, completely new parts and well worth the cost.

My Bronco stops great but the parking break never holds well and my rear discs got warped from using the parking break when the brakes were hot. (So I was told by several mechanics whom are very experienced and I trust.)

Besides the parking brake not holding I get a thumping sensation in the pedal when I slow down, almost like a bicycle rim rubbing on the brakes when the wheel is not true. I turned my rear discs, better. Replaced the rear disc with new discs and the problem when away. But then I forgot and used my parking brake after a road trip and the warped disc problem returned.

My 2cents, front disc, stock rear drums and hydro booster.

Good luck!

 

[charlie6976]

I have caddy discs in rear with a hydro boost. Even properly adjusted, the emergency brake does not hold on a slight hill with just 32’s. I’d stay drum.

Why do caddy rear disc brakes get such a bad rep.? Might not be the best for parking applications, BUT they seem to have worked on the caddy for years.

 

[Boss Hugg]

The only reason I've been thinking on rear discs is that I'll be installing a doubler before long. with an extra D20 gearing it down, it's that much more torque i'll have to stop in certain situations. Everyone says just kick it out of gear, but I think we all know that if its bound up and you jam it OUT of gear it can destroy shafts and gears, much like a broken axle shaft destroys a locker.

So I MIGHT swap to discs, but not sure.

 

[svastano]

OK, So it looks like the rear disks are pretty much a waist of money for my application. So Hydroboost or not? I was told by the rep at WH last night that with a 77 and the vacuum assist that is plenty and no need for the Hydro either. I still will be putting braided Stainless lines no matter what.

 

[Boss Hugg]

If you already have Vacuum boost, don't spend the time and money swapping, unless you're trying to build a trail truck. Then you'll most likely want ram assist steering, which requires an awesome power steering pump and you should switch to HB at that point. Vacuum boosters don't work well on the trail. Too much variance in engine vacuum.

 

[sykanr0ng]

You are going to have 35 inch tires on it I say go hydroboost, that is the size range where the vacuum boosters start to have trouble.
Road speeds are higher than speeds on most trails and that makes better braking important.

 

[Broncobowsher]

Go hydroboost. It is worlds better even with tires smaller than 35".
Unless it is a survivor or perfectly restored, vacuum booster is a sucky choice.

 

[Apogee]

If you need good holding torque with your brakes, you can always install line locks (roll controls) for temporary holding. Works well on boat ramps, off road situations where four tires locked is better than just two, etc.