That feeling you describe is called "OH CRAP WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE!!!!!"

4 wheel drums aren't the greatest but they can be adequate if they are in proper working order and are adjusted correctly. If the car has been sitting a while, they may not be self-adjusting like they should which will produce a lot of pedal movement before you start to get any braking. New brake hardware kits on all four corners should help that. My first car (truck - a 1970 F-100) had 4 wheel drums and I was constantly messing with those things to try and get it to stop right. I can clearly recall one particular time when, as a 16 year old with my girlfriend in the truck, I topped a little rise in the road at about 55 only to see a stopped milk truck in my lane. I hit the pedal hard and we were slowing down... sorta. The ditch was shallow so I ended up swinging to the right and passing him in the ditch to avoid rear ending the truck. My girlfriend about lost it! She asked me later, "Couldn't you just have stopped!?". I think my reply was something to the effect of "Not with that truck..."

 

Haha, thats funny. They feel pretty good, I think I'm still going to check them all out, I'm trying to get the booster working right, I think when that happens I'll be golden. I unhooked the booster for some diagnosis, and then took it for a spin, tell you what I wouldn't want that going out...

My grandma tells a story about my uncles truck, (a 60's chevy I think) She forgot that she had to pump the brakes, slammed right into the back of their Marquis in the driveway, didn't even put so much as a scuff in the Marquis, but busted out all 4 headlights in the Chevy.

Moral of the story, we dont realize how important brakes are untill that "OH CRAP" moment we don't have them...lol

AND Fords Rule!! lol

 

Dig it Thomas!!!!
You have some of the coolest old cars. For some reason I just feel like they'd be the odd ball type deal that Gas Monkey Garage would get for cheap and throw 20k at and have a tire-smoking, burn-out-doin, slick-back-hair kinda ride!

I'd love to throw $1500 at a clean old car to tinker with, but I don't have $1500 so that ain't happening!


Side note: Two finals down, Two A's earned!!
I just have a report out and one more final and then I get TWO WEEKS OFF (of class...still working 40) before Fall semester starts. lol
Now if only my apartment would move itself... Ill be a bum for 10 days between apartments!

 

Yes, this feeling!

I have driven some 4-drum brake vehicles in my life, and it's just not the same as disc. In fact, I want to swap my half-ton to 4 wheel disc if I can lol.

 

It isn't already? My '99 F-150 was. It was a 4x4 Offroad with the towing package, so I don't know if they added the rear disc brakes between the years or if it was an option.

 

Nope, my 98 still has drum rears.

I have a mechanic friend who is parting out a 99 or 2000 F150 with a blown motor/tranny. He's using the various good body parts off of it for his shop truck then scrapping it. I need the axle housings anyhow for a re-gear - so happens the rear axle is disc. So, gonna get all the appropriate parts and pieces (master cylinder, etc.) I need to do a swap if I can.

 

no, I fixed it!!!

 

haha this is hilarious.

Figured some of yall might getta kick outta it.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/OOgd9hitEAE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

double post...

 

my 65 falcon still has 4 wheel drum brakes, with the mayonnaise jar master cylinder.
that thing will stop faster than my pickup.
but then again, i keep the brakes in perfect shape and know how to drive vehicles with less than perfect brakes.

people think trucks can "stop on a dime because they have air brakes"

the truth of the matter is, at 80,000 lbs the brakes slow you down, they do not stop you. that is why any truck driver worth anything is always at least 3-400 feet away from the vehicle in front of him.
i try to stay at least 1 second back for every 10 mph.
so at 55 mph, i am at least 6 seconds behind the vehicle in front of me.

 

My sisters race car (66 fairlane) still has 4 wheel drums and work quite well. They do fine stopping her car at 110+.

I try and keep a lot of distance in front of me with my setup too. But, some of the idiot drivers a guy encounters....

 

I appreciate you staying back and allowing room - for God knows there are some truckers out there who aren't quite so courteous. Had loads of rear windowfuls of trucks that I know wouldn't be able to stop if I had to.

 

Well boys, I lied. Im going to North Carolina!

The guys shipping company STILL hasn't picked up the car and its been two weeks. Needless to say he is less than happy. I told him Id do it. Theres only one problem: I didn't get the job for the price I was hoping. I asked him how much the shipping company was charging him, expecting a $1500 price tag, and he says $600... I pause for a second and say, "Yea, I could do it for that much"... Itll still leave me with plenty of room for profit. The guy is nice as can be and I know he wouldn't screw me over. Heck, he even said if I don't think Im making enough or need a hotel, he will up my pay! I said that wont be necessary lol. Sometimes nice guys need a break

 

Are you sure he's that nice and the shipping company's price wasn't double that and he just told you 600? I think you're a little too nice. That's too cheap.

 

They aren't gonna either .600$ they miss quoted the job and know it. Grab your ankles and say"just get it over with" cause he is doing u JP.I'm sorry but that's just crazy.also make sure they don't pick it up with you half way there.that would suck too