Lately I've been looking for replacement parts for my grandpa's 1963 F-100 and I'm looking for brake drums and I can't seem to find any drums that will give me enough information on compatibility. I need cheap, but decent quality brakes for RWD front and rear axles. Anyone know where to buy good RWD drums for a cheap price? Please help.

 

Welcome to FTE!

Well, "cheap" and "brakes" aren't usually a good thing in the same sentence. The good news though, brake components aren't too expensive. You'll need to find some part numbers, or look at maybe RockAuto by inputting your truck year, they have a few different grades available, good, better, best and you can scoop up the part numbers this way too.

What you're likely to find, is that your truck needs a lot more than just drums? Seeing how the truck is 50+ years old and all. Wheel cylinders and hoses, master cylinder, and steel hard lines, spring kits, shoes.

Front drums if I recall correctly were only sold as as a unit w/hub, these are not available today. The drums themselves are though, you'd have to have the old hubs pressed off and reinstalled on new drums with new studs. New bearings and cups are a good plan at this time. I was able to replace the entire brake system on all four corners to include new drums for under $500 in parts. It stops very well when everything is setup as it should be.

 

Thanks. I have been looking at other parts besides drums too. I know all the wheel cylinders are probably shot and unusable now, I'm definitely getting new shoes, and of course I need drums. I found a cheap pair of Centric drums (part #s 123.65000 and 123.65001) that were under $30 each. I'm still not sure if they are the right choice though. I'm also hoping this truck won't need too many repairs as far as brake ties, shocks, hoses, etc., because it just hasn't been driven in 3 years so it needs a little tuneup. I'll check the wheel bearings like you said. Thankyou for your help.

 

Those look correct, from the RockAuto website. One of our members here, Orich, pointed out that he buys his brake parts locally on account they are easily returned if necessary. If you know exactly what part you need, that's one thing. If there's a Napa nearby they have always been real good about good brake parts.

ANOTHER member here pointed out "these trucks are like peeling an onion, lots of layers and usually tears." Brakes on old pickups are always that way. My '64 had a couple drops of brake fluid leaking onto the floor mat. So I started in replacing the master cylinder, and when I was done everything had been replaced except the pedal, there's just no way around it.

 

Ok yeah I see they have the Centric and the Raybestos on the RockAuto website. I looked into the Raybestos but I think I'm going with the Centric since RockAuto recommends them anyways. I originally found the Centric drums on StockWiseAuto's website for basically the same price. Should I get the drums from RockAuto or StockWiseAuto? Also I'm probably going to need a spring hardware kit for the whole brake assembly so if you have any tips about those let me know. Thanks!

 

So far I am finding a lot of brake parts i need on RockAuto for lower prices than what other websites offer.

 

Yes, they have good prices, just be sure that's what you need. Returns are always a hassle, for me anyway. Their shipping is a little different, because they have multiple warehouses, so it might eat up any saving if they more than a couple.

 

If you want cheap, I think RockAuto is the right choice. If you are ordering a bunch of parts you might want to take the time to get the parts that come from the same place to save on shipping. I ordered a set of Monroe HD shocks this morning for less than half what I'd pay locally, although being in Canada accounts for part of that. As Ted says, returns can be a hassle. I ordered drums but didn't discover they were wrong until day 31 of their 30 day return policy. I still have them - nobody can tell what they're for.
Eric